Enjoy the fairytale-like scenery of this Northern California trail. With more waterfalls in Northern California than miles, the beautiful Cataract Falls Trail will take hikers past an enchanting landscape.

Cataract Falls Trails is a 2.8-mile trail in Marin County but can be made shorter. This is a popular route, so you’ll likely encounter other hikers on your trip. Hiking the full trail takes about three hours.
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The trailhead is located at Bolinas Fairfax Road, near Alpine Lake. From there, hikers will park and take the Cataract Trail. Since parking is on a first-come, first-served basis, arrive early so you can get a spot close to the trailhead.
If you’re only interested in seeing one falls, it is about a half-mile hike to the first falls. Keep in mind the hike is on a fairly steep uphill for about the first half mile, too.
Yiqiao Liu/Google Images
Luckily, the trail is mostly shaded, and the weather in this area of the state is usually on the cooler side– making Marin County a great place to hike any time of the day throughout the year.
Dogs are welcome on the trail but must be on a leash. Once you reach the falls, continue hiking to arrive at the Laurel Dell Picnic Area. Continue past the picnic area to see more falls.
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Where the Helen Markt Trail meets the Cataract Trail there will be a pool, which is a nice spot to cool down. If you want this hike to be more than 2.8 miles, continue on and take the Rock Spring Trailhead.

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The best time to do this hike is after a lot of rain so the falls are all flowing. However, it can be muddy, so wear proper hiking shoes, or shoes with traction, and watch your step. Some dedicated hikers recommend bringing poles to help with balance.
Leah D'Antonio/Google Images
Solo hikers like this trail because not only is it beautiful but it is also crowded enough to feel safe while hiking alone.
It’s a bit of a drive to Cataract Falls Trail near Alpine Lake but it is so worth it!
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Alpine Lake is actually a reservoir and is a quiet place to set up a blanket and have lunch, or go fishing. The lake and trailhead is not too far from Mount Tamalpais, another favorite hiking spot of Bay Area locals.
This out-and-back trail is near Stinson Beach. This small community is the location of the 3.5-mile-long Stinson Beach.
Casey White/Google Images
Stinson Beach is an unincorporated community in Marin County and is located near Bolinas. You can actually hike to Cataract Falls from Stinson Beach. It’s a nearly seven-mile hike with many stunning vistas and a variety of terrain.

Always check the weather before you go hiking. Even with the rainstorms of early 2023, the trail hasn’t been closed for long but hikers have said it gets quite muddy.

No matter when you hike this trail, the ocean breezes make this wooded area green and lust year round.

Have you hiked the Cataract Falls Trail to see these gorgeous waterfalls in Northern California? Share your pictures with us on Facebook.

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Cataract Falls, Cataract Trail, Stinson Beach, CA 94970, USA