Bucklin–Muddy Hollow Road–Bayview–Inverness Ridge Loop

This 8.6-mile loop from Point Reyes Hill links Bucklin Trail, Muddy Hollow Road, Bayview Trail, and Inverness Ridge. That is the full route from the Hill trailhead, not the shorter Bayview-start version. Allow about five hours. The park calls it strenuous, which fits: you drop off the ridge, cross lower open ground, then climb back through forest. Choose it for the change from coastal views to shady pine and a creekside grove, not for a short walk to one payoff.

A short approach from Mount Vision Road reaches Bucklin. The upper trail is open, with a bench for ocean, headland, and forest views; then it drops into bishop pine and Douglas fir before alternating with drier coastal scrub. Muddy Hollow Road is a mostly exposed traverse with little shade. Bayview starts in an old buckeye grove and wetter alder-lined ground, then climbs through pine toward the ridge. Dusky-footed woodrat nests can be close to the path. The Bucklin bench is the best place to frame the open headlands above the forest.

Inverness Ridge brings distant views toward Drakes Beach and Chimney Rock. After crossing a paved residential road, take the dirt continuation on the left about 370 feet later; the marker is easy to miss. This is a long, strenuous half-day outing. If that is more than you want, the one-mile round-trip walk to the top of Point Reyes Hill starts from the same trailhead. Pets are prohibited on trails departing Point Reyes Hill. Mount Vision Road can close at high, very high, or extreme fire danger, and its one-lane switchbacks call for slow driving.