This is a short and easy ride in the Marin Headlands that allows you to ride on two notable trails. On top of that, you get to catch nice views from the bare hill sides of the headlands, as well as finding an excuse to visit Rodeo Beach.

The first of the notable trails that this ride passes through is the first one on which it starts. Marincello Trail takes its name from the residential development project that was to take place here a few decades ago. Apparently, they started building the main access boulevard before the project really got off the ground. When the project stalled, they left it unfinished and whatever part that was already built has become this trail. Therefore, this trail has the odd distinction of being the only trail (that I know of) in this region that has started its life as a (four-lane, I believe) boulevard! It's noticeable, too. For the same reason, the grade of this climb is on the milder side: 9.5%.

After reaching the top of the ridge, the ride skirts around Gerbode Valley (which was to be the core of the Marincello project) on Bobcat Trail. At the southern tip of the loop, closest to Rodeo Beach, the route shown on this page includes a short trip to that beach and back. That is entirely optional, of course. You can make the ride even shorter by omitting that.

After that, a reasonable fire-road climb on Miwok Trail (just under 12% average grade) brings you to the start of the second notable trail on this ride, which is Old Springs Trail. The reason I consider this trail special is that it's an extreme rarity: a bike-legal singletrack in the Marin Headlands. It's actually a pretty nice singletrack, too, albeit a short one. It starts out with a cozy meander along a couple of lush nooks on the hillside (presumably the springs that give the trail its name) before starting to descend in earnest. Much of the descent is punctuated with low steps, which is why the best way to ride this trail is downhill. After a couple of switchbacks, the trail ends at the Miwok Stables (where you should respect the signs and walk your bike through, rather than riding).