Mount Burdell Preserve

"Hike and explore the trails. Spend as little 15-minutes, or as long as many hours exploring Mount Burdell, the terrain, plants, and rocks. On clear days, enjoy views of San Francisco Bay."

"A great experience. Amazing views, flowers, trees, all kinds of wildlife."

"Absolutely stunning views, especially with rain clouds overhead. It did rain a little bit as a storm cloud passed close overhead once I was at higher elevation. Even though it's steep in certain parts and there's a lot of rocky tech sections to bike or hike through, I was able to climb it (very slowly) on my enduro bike, so the hike shouldn't be too bad if you have strong legs and good shoes. I started at the trailhead where San Carlos Way dead-ends. I noticed on Trailforks there's another fire road on San Andreas Drive, but I had a biking route planned out that would loop me back. There are a few doubletrack and singletrack trails, running parallel and perpendicular to the two main fire road routes to the peak at the ends of the two streets mentioned above. The weather was perfect for exercise and there were plenty of folks hiking around. I first made my way up San Carlos fire road to Middle Burdell fire road, and then up Cobblestone fire road to the peak. Cobblestone is indeed rocky and slick in the rain with plenty of large and small babyheads rolling freely, as well as exposed half-buried small to mid-size rocks throughout sections of fire road. The peak is a large, generally flat plateau with other trails intersecting from the Northwest side of the hill, as well as from the East. I didn't stop to investigate much, but it looks like a nice spot for a picnic and there was a large group hanging out there. I rode Eagle Rim trail, which has some advanced rock gardens with exposure to a steep hillside in the middle sections, and multiple choice lines for all the features long the trail. I then circled back up to the peak and rode downhill another way. I think the fire road climbs are easier than Ponti Ridge for sure. More moderate inclines."

"This is a gorgeous preserve with some of the most glorious Oak trees I have ever seen. Also, lots of little streams along the way. I haven’t seen any wildlife but did hear an owl. The hike is somewhat challenging but can be easily done by just about anyone. The trails are wide. This place is well utilized so don’t expect to have it all to yourself. One of my Davy places in Marin for a solid 5 mile hike."

"Love this hike. Today it was nice and muddy and some of the streams we're flowing high. Just be careful crossing some of the more faster deeper streams after a long rain. Mount Burdell has many different paths to take and the views are always fun to check out. Multiple paths means different times to finish. This hike will not disappoint. Parts get a little slippery / Rocky. Keep Dogs on leash. Cattle are usually present. Every know and then you will see a snake."