Hawk Hill Climb Guide: Above the Golden Gate Bridge
Hawk Hill on Conzelman Road: 1.8 miles at about 6% and 540 feet of climbing above the Golden Gate Bridge. Stats and tips.
In this post
Hawk Hill is the short climb on Conzelman Road in the Marin Headlands, just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. The view from the top is hard to beat.
The numbers
- Start: the bottom of Conzelman Road, about 270 ft, near the bridge’s north parking lot.
- Top: about 810 ft, just below the summit of Hawk Hill.
- Length: 1.8 miles (2.9 km).
- Average gradient: about 6%.
- Steepest: short pitches around 9 to 10%.
- Climbing: about 540 ft (164 m).
Climb figures differ a little from source to source, depending on where each one starts and stops the clock. Where they differ, we give a range or say “about”.
What’s up there
The road passes a hairpin at Battery Spencer, and near the top sits an unfinished World War II gun battery begun in 1942. From mid-August to early December, observers count migrating hawks and other raptors on the hill.
How to ride it
- Go hard: it’s short enough to ride flat out, so it suits a fast effort.
- Watch the wind and fog: the headlands are exposed, so bring a wind vest.
- Careful past the top: the road beyond is one-way and drops steeply, at about 18%, toward Point Bonita.
The Strava segment
There’s a segment for this climb, and plenty of riders judge their day by where they land on it. Set an honest time on your first go, without blowing up, then come back and beat it. The King and Queen of the Mountain crowns are for the very fastest; for most of us the real target is a personal best.
What to wear up it
A short climb with a view is a good place for a bright jersey. Our Climbs jerseys are drawn from the mountains: the Mont Ventoux Mistral, Contour and TOUGH After the Climb. Each is made to order, with free personalization.
More climbs: famous Strava climbs.
Strava is a trademark of Strava, Inc. Corbah isn’t connected to Strava; this is our own guide.
