Marin Groups Weigh In on Mount Tamalpais Trail Options

Hikers, bikers and equestrians debate balancing recreation and environmental protection on the watershed's trails.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:43pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a mountain bike wheel, hiking boot, and horse hoof repeated in a tight grid pattern, conceptually representing the diverse recreational uses and competing interests on the trails of Mount Tamalpais.Competing recreational interests on Mount Tamalpais spark debate over trail access and environmental protection.Mill Valley Today

The Marin Municipal Water District is considering creating zones on the Mount Tamalpais watershed to address the needs of different recreational users while maintaining environmental stewardship. Hikers, bikers, and equestrians have offered their perspectives, with some advocating for more trail access and others citing safety and environmental concerns, especially around e-bikes. The district is collecting feedback before bringing a proposal to the board.

Why it matters

Access to the Mount Tamalpais watershed has been a polarizing issue for decades, with concerns over safety, environmental impact, and balancing the needs of different user groups. The district's effort to update its road and trails management plan aims to find a sustainable solution that protects the natural landscape while providing meaningful public access.

The details

The Marin Municipal Water District is looking at over 30 miles of trails and fire roads that could be candidates for first-time bicycle access, restoration, or other improvements. Examples of potential zones were presented at a recent watershed committee meeting. Cyclists want more trail access, while some residents argue that e-bikes don't belong on the watershed trails due to safety and environmental concerns. The district is also considering creating a preservation zone and wildlife refuge within the watershed.

  • The district authorized a modified e-bike pilot program allowing class 1 pedal-assisted electric bikes on the fire roads, which began in the summer of 2025.
  • A 2024 lawsuit prevented two pilot programs that would have opened about 7 miles of trails to bicyclists.
  • The district is planning a community workshop in May 2026 to present potential trail scenarios.
  • A site visit of Rocky Ridge Fire Road is set for 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
  • A draft plan is expected to be prepared this summer and will be followed by an environmental impact report.

The players

Cheryl Bossio

President of the Marin Horse Council, who expressed concerns about the safety risks of e-bikes on the trails.

Vernon Huffman

Executive director of the nonprofit Marin Trail Stewards, formerly Access4Bikes, who called for a balanced approach to protect the natural landscape and provide safe access.

Linda Novy

A member of the Marin Horse Council, who said the group is concerned about how many trails could be opened to cyclists and is asking for a commitment from cyclists to improve behavior.

Jed Smith

The board president of the Marin Municipal Water District, who said the district can successfully create multiuse trails for bikers, hikers, and equestrians, and suggested creating a preservation zone and wildlife refuge within the watershed.

Terri Thomas

An ecologist and past president of the Marin Conservation League, who said she is on board with the idea of creating a preservation zone.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It does genuinely cause a safety concern, a risk concern.”

— Cheryl Bossio, President of the Marin Horse Council

“We all share the same goal: protecting Marin's natural landscape while providing safe, meaningful access to the public. I'm here to ask for a balanced approach that does both.”

— Vernon Huffman, Executive director of the nonprofit Marin Trail Stewards

“We are accepting of the fact that mountain bikers will have some trail access on Mount Tam. However, we are concerned about how many trails could be opened to cyclists, and that some bike riders continue to access areas where they are prohibited. We are asking for a commitment from cyclists to improve behavior.”

— Linda Novy, Member of the Marin Horse Council

“It's proven to be done in our county and I'm highly confident that we can do this on our watershed. But I'm really happy that we're starting to finally look at zones and having zones as a way to understand land use management. I think that'll be super helpful for us to determine where the high-use, medium-use and lower-use zones are.”

— Jed Smith, Board president of the Marin Municipal Water District

“Let's do this.”

— Terri Thomas, Ecologist and past president of the Marin Conservation League

What’s next

The Marin Municipal Water District is planning a community workshop in May 2026 to present potential trail scenarios for the Mount Tamalpais watershed. A draft plan is expected to be prepared this summer and will be followed by an environmental impact report.

The takeaway

The debate over balancing recreational access and environmental protection on the Mount Tamalpais watershed highlights the challenges of managing public lands for multiple user groups. The district's effort to create a zoning system and gather community input aims to find a sustainable solution that preserves the natural landscape while providing meaningful access to hikers, bikers, and equestrians.