Today I want to bring you my guide to the Cataract Falls hike in Marin County. If you love waterfalls and beautiful scenery, this is a great way to spend a day in Northern California. With stunning scenery and lots of cascades, the Cataract Trail makes a memorable San Francisco Bay Area hike. I’ve included a map, too.
Cataract Falls Hike in Marin County
Just off the Fairfax-Bolinas Road near Stinson Beach, the Cataract Falls hike is in the Mount Tamalpais Watershed. This protected mountain area is known for its streams, reservoir, redwood trees, hiking trails, biking routes, and equestrian paths. It’s also an important habitat for birds and other local fauna.
The Cataract Falls trail is one of the most popular waterfall hikes in Marin County and the greater San Francisco Bay Area. It features a narrow dirt path bordering a series of small cascading falls down Cataract Creek, which is nestled in dense woodland.
A moderately challenging hike, it involves uneven stone stairs, narrow footbridges, and a decent amount of elevation gain.
How Long is Cataract Falls Trail?
The Cataract Falls hike can be done as an out-and-back or a loop. The former is around 3 miles on the Cataract Trail (1.5 miles each way). It involves an elevation gain of approximately 1,055 feet.
The loop hike is around 7.5 miles on a number of different trails. It involves an elevation gain of approximately 1,985 feet. You can see a map of both routes below for further details.
How Long Does the Cataract Falls Hike Take?
The amount of time the hike takes depends on your fitness level and how fast you want to walk. The 3-mile hike takes around 2 to 3 hours, and the 7.5-mile loop trail takes around 3.5 to 5 hours. If you’re in great shape, you can do it faster. If you’re going with children or a dog (this is one of the best dog-friendly hikes in the Bay Area), it might take longer.
When Is the Best Time to Do the Hike?
You can do this hike any time of year, but because the waterfalls are the main attraction, it’s best to do it after heavy rain. In Marin County’s case, that usually means the winter months. If you can time your trek to coincide with a break in stormy weather, you’ll get to see the falls at their best.
What to Bring
When I did this hike with my boyfriend and his dog, I didn’t need a hat or sunscreen since the dense trees blocked out the sun most of the time. That said, depending on the time of day or year you go, you may get a bit more direct sunlight.
I did need a jacket, as it was much cooler on the trail than it was when I left San Francisco. I wore layers, as I warmed up once I hit the hills.
I was glad I wore hiking boots, too. There had been heavy rain the day before, and the trail was damp and muddy in places. There were even a few small sections with water running over them. Even without rain, the trail is uneven and there are lots of rocky stairs, so hiking boots are always a good bet.
I didn’t bring hiking poles, but I saw a lot of people on the trail with them. Given the water and steep nature of the trail, they’re a good idea if you need some extra support.
As always, I brought a good supply of water and snacks. The hills got me thirsty, and I was hungry by the time I reached the top.
Cataract Falls Trailhead
The Cataract Falls trailhead is located on a bend in the Fairfax-Bolinas Road near Alpine Dam on Alpine Lake. It’s marked with a wooden sign with yellow lettering.
There’s a bit of street parking on either side of the trailhead, but no official parking lot. It’s a good idea to arrive early, especially on popular days like weekends or after heavy rain when the falls are at their fullest.
There are portable restrooms at the trailhead, and a few signs with information about the Mt. Tam Watershed, a trail map, and rules for the trail (dogs are allowed on leash, etc).
The Hike
Once on the trail, I followed the edge of Alpine Lake before starting an uphill climb past the waterfalls. I was surprised how many cascades there were, and how impressive they looked. There are falls almost the entire way to the top of Cataract Trail, some of which can be viewed from the side of the creek on smaller paths that veer off from the main trail.
There are several footbridges to cross along the way, including a narrow one with waterfalls on either side. Most of the trail is either uphill or up stairs, with a few flat stretches in between.
The Cataract Falls hike is one of the most popular hikes in Marin County, so it can get crowded. There were lots of people and dogs on the path when I went. Due to the narrow nature of the trail, the hike involved waiting to let people pass at many points.
At the top of the Cataract Trail, there’s an open area with wooden tables called Laurel Dell picnic area. I brought lunch in my backpack, and it offered a nice break in the middle of the hike. After lunch I hiked back to the trailhead, but there were plenty more paths I could have taken had I wanted a longer route.
In all, the 3-mile out-and-back trail took me 3 hours. That included the stop for lunch and a lot of breaks for photography and video.
Cataract Falls Trail Map
You can see the trailhead on Google Maps here. It also shows a rough map of the path, so it’s a good starting point. It’s helpful for driving directions, too.
You can see a full map of the route here. It provides more details about the actual trails and distances. It has other information about the Marin Municipal Water District and Mt. Tamalpais Watershed, too.
Cataract Falls Hike
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to the Cataract Falls hike in Marin County. It’s a spectacular waterfall hike, especially after a big storm. When more rain comes, the cascades will be looking as good as ever. There will be great opportunities to do this hike.
If you want to see more, take a look at my YouTube video about this hike.
And if you’re looking for more inspiration, you can read my guide to the best Marin County hikes. It features things like Olompali State Park hikes and the Oakwood Valley Trail. I’ve also published a blog post with all the hiking trails in the Bay Area I’ve written about. Happy travels!
Find this helpful? Buy me a coffee!
Some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links. At no cost to you, I earn a small commission when you click on them and make a purchase. It doesn’t affect the way you shop, and it’s a great way to support the California Wayfaring blog.
Pin it!