The trailhead Pantoll Station is easy to find on GPS and there are friendly rangers there as well to answer questions.

Maps: Paper map are available at the trailhead Pantoll Station in Marin, CA.  

For a moderate hike, I suggest going the one and a half miles down the trail to the ladder and return. There will be downhill switchbacks getting there and uphill on the way back. It's three miles roundtrip. There are logs along the trail if you are looking for rest spots. The trail follows a beautiful creek with mossy trees and ferns the whole way.

For a more challenging hike here are some options:

1) Down Steep Ravine Trail from Pantoll Station to where the trail meets the Dipsea Trail, and return back up Steep Ravine. (Approximately five miles and 50% uphill.)

2) Down Steep Ravine Trail and follow the Dipsea Trail to Stinson Beach. At Stinson Beach, locate the Matt Davis Trail behind the fire station at the end of the short block. Follow Matt Davis back uphill to Pantoll Station. Matt Davis will take you back to where you started. (Approximately seven-eight miles and uphill). Check out the Matt Davis - Steep Ravine Loop for more details on this hike (Note: this write-up has you starting at the Matt Davis Trailhead near the Stinson Beach fire station). 

Dogs: Not allowed on this trail. 

Weekend Crowds and Parking: Summer Weekends are crazy busy. Arrive before 9am if you can. Parking can be hard to find after 11 am. There is parking along the side of the roads, which is okay if you don’t mind walking along the road with cars passing by.