Tamarancho Loop (Fairfax, Marin, CA)

A perfect destination in Marin County for intermediate and advance mountain bikers looking for fun and challenging singletracks. This awesome 10-mile singletrack loop starts in Fairfax and is located in the hills above Fairfax. The route offers fun rolling hills with tight switchbacks, some steep climbs and downhills, riding through wood forests, creek crossings and rock gardens. The trail head starts at Iron Spring Road in Fairfax. The Alchemist trail will take you to the lollypop shape loop intersection. The loop can be ridden clockwise or counter clockwise. I think clockwise is more fun because you get to go downhill on some technical rock sections, but if you like challenging climbing then counter clockwise is a must. You get climbing and descending both ways.

If you decide to go clockwise like I almost always do, you will get to Serpentine, Wagon Wheel and B-17 Trails. B-17 Extension goes out to the ridge near White Hills where you can admire a great view of the Bay Area and Mt. Tam. By going out to the ridge you can also connect to a brand new singletrack called Porcupine Trail with super fast switchbacks. Porcupine will take you down to Fairfax behind the White Hills Middle School. But if you rather stay on the Tamarancho loop for additional singletrack you can descend Porcupine only to Sir Francis Drake Blvd and then go back up on Porcupine to return to B-17 Extension. The next trails are Broken Dam and Goldman. At the end of Goldman you will be back at the trail junction with Alchemist trail that will take you back to Iron Springs Road.

The Tamarancho loop takes about 2-3 hours for an advance rider, and about an additional hour if you decide to add the Purcupine trail out and back.

The land where Tamarancho is located is property of the Boy Scouts of America. To ride those trails you should get a $5 day pass that can be purchased on-line or at the local Fairfax bike store Sunshine Bicycles. Funds go toward the land lease and trail maintenance.

If you like beer and want to try a local brew, a visit to Iron Springs Brewery is a must. It is located in the heart of Fairfax 

Related Links:

Mountain Biking Marin
Tamarancho Stats
Women’s Bike Clinic