Hawk Hill
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Conzelman Road, Sausalito, Marin Headlands
Starting Point: Top of Conzelman Road, Sausalito, just before the single lane, one-way section starts, near the entrance to historic WWII tunnels. Walk through the tunnels or up and around the side to do the Hawk Hill loop walk.
Info links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Marin Headlands info link (Golden Gate National Recreation Area/National Park Service):
https://www.nps.gov/goga/marin-headlands.htm
Hawk Hill info link (Golden Gate National Recreation Area/National Park Service):
https://www.nps.gov/goga/learn/nature/hawk-hill.htm
Hawk Hill info link (Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy):
http://www.parksconservancy.org/visit/park-sites/hawk-hill.html
Marin Headlands map link:
(Scroll to the center bottom of larger map to find Hawk Hill on Conzelman Road.)
https://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/upload/map_mahe_150429_508_2021.pdf
Distance:
The loop trail at Hawk Hill is a popular, easy level walk of about 0.7 miles, with moderate inclines.
Considerations:
• Conzelman Road becomes a one-lane, one-way road that takes several miles to loop back from once you drop down the hill past the tunnel entrances. That gateway to the one-way entrance is your last chance to turn around and search for parking going back down hill.
• Weekend parking may become full early. Weekdays and mornings are a better bet for parking.
• People parked even for a brief moment to take photos at the vista spots along Conzelman Road have become popular targets for thieves. Do not leave doors or windows unlocked or open, and do not leave even small items visible in the car, even for brief photo shoots.
• Check for seasonal information on raptor viewing, and bring binoculars.
The trail:
The parking at the top of Conzelman Road before the one-way section of Conzelman Road starts is the best area to park for walking around Hawk Hill. You can walk up the trail around the side of the tunnels, or start your Hawk Hill adventure by walking through the historic World War II tunnels first.
The structures here were part of a protection system that relates to the Nike defense system that was previously active in the Marin Headlands.
The renovated Hawk Hill paths have easier accessibility than in the past.
The peak is approximately 920 feet in elevation, so the views are great in every direction. Bird enthusiasts come here with binoculars and cameras to view migrating hawks and other raptors.
The Mission Blue butterfly is another special inhabitant of the area, reproducing in lupine that thrive in the coastal prairie and scrub environment.
The loop walk itself is not long, but every turn offers a great view: Of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, of Point Bonita Lighthouse and Rodeo Beach Lagoon, of the hilly trails on the rolling headlands, and of the broad Pacific.
This makes a great easy walk and viewing adventure with a quick drive back down the hill to get back to US 101, or it can be a first easy stop before heading further down Conzelman Road for more adventures in the Marin Headlands.
With or without binoculars for bird observation, Hawk Hill offers plenty of treats for the eyes.
(Hawk Hill Hike Notes were originally paired with the "Together We Climb” Insights post.)
            Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
            Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777