Coastal Wilderness of Point Reyes National Seashore
A three-day, two-night showcase of wild but accessible coastal habitats. Point Reyes National Seashore is the perfect location to develop your backpacking skills.
Marvel at Alamere Falls as it empties into the Pacific Ocean
Discover a diversity of coastal habitats and wildlife
Learn essential backpacking skills in a supportive environment
Enjoy front-country comforts like campsite tables and toilets
Point Reyes National Seashore is one of only two places in California with protected wilderness areas that connect the bluffs to the sandy beaches. Thanks to over 50 years of wilderness protection, we’re able to imagine what this land felt like during thousands of years of inhabitation by the Coast Miwok people prior to Mexican and European settlement.
Our route will take us to the most remote campground in Point Reyes, and the closest one to the beach itself. We’ll fall asleep to the sounds of crashing waves and awaken to cool ocean air. We’ll climb through mixed evergreen forests, descend coastal scrub habitats, and soak in views of the Pacific Ocean. We’re also likely to encounter a rich diversity of wildlife, from graceful seabirds to tule elk roaming the coastal prairie.
Dates:
Three days, two nights
Saturday, May 25, 2024 – Monday, May 27, 2024
Friday, June 21, 2024 – Sunday, June 23, 2024
Friday, October 4, 2024 – Sunday, October 6, 2024
Exact trip dates are subject to permit availability, and may shift slightly. Additional dates and private trips available. Contact us to learn more.
Distance:
16-21 miles | 6-8 miles per day
Difficulty:
Beginner-Intermediate (Rating: 2.3/5) | Learn more about trip difficulty below.
Group Size:
3-6 participants + 1 guide
Note that trips that do not meet the minimum group size may be rescheduled or cancelled. Please read our policies and FAQs carefully before booking.
Trip Cost:
$995.00 per person, $300 deposit required to reserve your spot.
Want a $100 discount? Groups of two or more can book this trip for $895 each.
We’ll apply the discount to your final payments.
Trip itinerary
We designed this trip as an accessible, beginner-friendly introduction to backpacking. It’s also great for more experienced backpackers who want to immerse themselves in Point Reyes’s unique natural history.
Backpacking requires flexibility. So please note that the exact details of our itineraries are occasionally adjusted due to permit availability, trail conditions, or other factors outside our control. Rest assured, we’ll do everything in our power to stick to our plan or beat it with something better.
-
Our adventure begins at the Bear Valley Visitor Center in the heart of Olema Valley. After thoroughly checking everyone’s gear, we'll divide up the shared gear and start our hike along the well-maintained Bear Valley Trail. Before long we’ll pass evidence of the Woodward Fire and marvel at the resilience of the towering Douglas Fir trees. After a steady ascent into mixed evergreen forest, we’ll be rewarded with our first glimpse of the Pacific. From there, we’ll descend through coastal scrub towards our camp for the next two nights. After we get our tents set up, we’ll get dinner ready and settle in for a relaxing sunset on the beach.
Hiking distance:
6.6 mi
Elevation gain / loss:
1,567 ft gain / 1,636 ft loss
Meals included:
Lunch, Dinner
-
The morning begins with hot coffee, tea, and a hearty breakfast. Today’s itinerary will be dictated by the tides and desires of the group. A day hike to Alamere Falls is a popular option and if the tides allow, we can get there along the beach or the coastal bluffs above it. Since it empties into the ocean, this “tidefall” is a rare treat as one of just 31 such waterfalls in the entire world. Other day hikes to coastal views or isolated lakes are also within reach.
Hiking distance:
Varies: 2.5-8+ mi
Elevation gain / loss:
Varies
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Our last day will start with another tasty breakfast. We’ll then break down and clean up camp. Once we’ve made sure that we’ve left no trace, we’ll climb back up the coastal bluffs and admire the view of the Pacific one last time. When we return to our cars, we’ll collect borrowed gear and say goodbye to the new friends we made. If you feel inspired to keep exploring, there are several short walks from the parking lot we encourage you to take: one exploring a replica Coast Miwok Indian village, and another that explores the geological history of the area along the world-famous San Andreas fault.
Hiking distance:
6.3 mi
Elevation gain / loss:
1,622 ft gain / 1,551 ft loss
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch
Why Wilder Walks
The goal of each Wilder Walks adventure is to help you feel comfortable, confident, and present outdoors so you can deepen your connection with nature. Our trips are built around:
Ultralight and minimalist gear to help you focus on the world around you rather than the weight on your back
Small group sizes with lots of personal attention and opportunities to practice essential backpacking skills
Unique routes designed to showcase the unique ecological qualities of the places we explore
Expert guidance from a highly experienced and professionally trained trip leader
What’s included:
Comprehensive backpacking instruction: two virtual pre-trip preparation sessions, on-trail lessons on essential backpacking skills, and interpretation of local natural history.
State-of-the-art ultralight backpacking gear including everything you need to hike, sleep, and eat all weighing less than 10 lbs (not including food and essential clothing).
Lightweight, nutritious, and delicious backcountry breakfasts, lunches, and dinners that we’ll whip up together. Hot coffee and tea to start each day.
All group gear including a fully stocked camp kitchen, water filters, and group first aid kit.
All necessary permits and campsite fees.
5% donation to Big City Mountaineers, helping fund backpacking trips for California youth
Fun times and good company!
What’s not included:
Essential clothing, footwear, or any other personal items. Gear selection is a core part of our program, and we will provide guidance on the best gear to bring.
Personal trail snacks. Our pre-trip preparation sessions cover meal planning, and sorting out your own snacks is your chance to practice your new skills.
Transportation to and from the meeting place.
Trip insurance, which we highly encourage.
Trip difficulty
This trip is rated Beginner-Intermediate, after scoring a 2.3 out of 5 on our Trip Difficulty Matrix. No previous backpacking experience required but you should be in good hiking shape.
To join the trip, you should feel fit enough for a hard day’s hike of at least 6.5 miles with 1,600 feet of total elevation gain while carrying a backpack that weighs about 30 lbs.
Expand each of the criteria to learn more about the different dimensions of difficulty for this trip.
Unsure about whether this trip is right for you? Contact us and we’ll figure it out together.
-
Rating: Beginner
We’ll be camping for two nights and will be carrying three days of food.
-
Rating: Beginner-Intermediate
5.2-7 miles daily average depending on group preference for day two.
-
Rating: Beginner-Intermediate
6.6 max daily mileage with full gear. 2.5-8.5 max daily mileage on day hike on day two.
-
Rating: Beginner-Intermediate
1,080-1,640 feet average daily elevation gain, depending on day hike on day two.
-
Rating: Beginner-Intermediate
1,622 feet max elevation gain (up to 1,750 feet max elevation gain depending on day hike on day two.)
-
Rating: Beginner
Our route is completely on well-maintained trails with no river crossings.
-
Rating: Beginner-Intermediate
Limited biting bugs, ample shade while hiking but limited shade at camp, little to no height exposure with the exception of an optional 50-foot climb alongside Alamere Falls.
Trip logistics
Meeting place
We’ll meet at the Bear Valley Visitor Center before heading to the trailhead. There are no food services here so come fully stocked up. Wifi and bathrooms are available.
Meeting time
Plan to meet at the meeting point by 9:00 AM on the first day of your trip. We will share local lodging and camping options when you book.
Ending time
We will do our best to accommodate participant preferences, but expect your final day to be a full day on-trail. Our goal is to return to our cars by 5:00 PM on the final day.
What to expect after you book
You’ll get an automated confirmation that we’ve received your deposit and that your spot on the trip has been reserved.
Shortly after, we’ll send you an email outlining the payment plan, pre-trip preparation process, and some initial gear guidance and training tips.
We’ll schedule the two virtual pre-trip preparation sessions where we’ll cover the essentials of proper preparation including our route, what to expect, what to bring, and how to get ready.
“Alex’s thorough pre-trip preparation was top-notch. I felt confident in our gear, route, and options to adjust for weather as we went along”
“I highly recommend Wilder Walks for both beginners and intermediate backpackers. Alex is a terrific guide who can tailor the experience to the group. We had a lot of good conversations on the trail. He made it fun and educational.”
