Randall–Bolinas Ridge–McCurdy–Olema Valley Loop

The Randall–Bolinas Ridge–McCurdy–Olema Valley Loop is an 8.6-mile circuit from the Olema Valley (Hagmaier) Trailhead. It crosses Highway 1 to climb Randall, follows Bolinas Ridge to McCurdy, then returns through Olema Valley and the Randall Spur connector. The National Park Service calls it strenuous; allow about four to five hours. Choose it for a full change of scenery, not a quick stroll: a steep climb and rough descent bookend a mostly level valley return.

From Hagmaier, cross Highway 1 to Randall Trail. It climbs about 1.7 miles on a fairly steep old ranch road through Douglas fir and coast redwood. Bolinas Ridge continues about 1.6 miles to McCurdy. In early spring, the ridge can have tiny striped California fetid adder’s-tongue flowers. McCurdy drops about two miles, very steeply in places, through chaparral and some woodland; the tread can be overgrown, rocky, or eroded. Look back along the descent for views across forested Inverness Ridge toward the ocean.

Olema Valley is mostly level through oak, fir, and bay woodland. Its creek crossing can leave you with wet feet; current water levels were not established. About 2.8 miles of valley trail lead to Randall Spur, whose half-mile connector returns to Hagmaier. The exact loop distance includes that connector. For a shorter outing, the Randall Trail out-and-back to Bolinas Ridge is 3.4 miles round trip and still strenuous.

Hagmaier is an unpaved shoulder on Highway 1, opposite the Randall Trailhead; parking is very limited, and the National Park Service asks drivers to stay entirely out of the travel lane. The small access points are easy to miss from the road, so identify both before starting. The loop crosses Highway 1 between the two access areas. Dogs are prohibited on Olema Valley, so they cannot complete this route, even though leashed dogs are allowed on Randall, Bolinas Ridge, and McCurdy.