In the picturesque waterfront town of Belvedere, California, a resident's curiosity led to the discovery of one of Marin County's most enchanting architectural treasures. When Charlie Harrington moved to Madrona Avenue, he stumbled upon a labyrinth of public stairways winding through the steep, wooded hillsides of Belvedere Island. These pathways, affectionately known by locals as the "secret stairs," connect neighborhood streets in a delightful, unconventional manner.

The Origins of Belvedere's Historic Public Lanes and Stairways

Belvedere's network of public stairways dates back to the 1890s and early 1900s when the island was first developed as a summer retreat for San Francisco's prominent families. Designed long before widespread automobile ownership, these pedestrian lanes provided direct, walkable shortcuts connecting hillside Victorian estates to the waterfront ferry piers, yacht clubs, and local post office.

Today, these public rights-of-way remain maintained by the City of Belvedere, offering residents and visitors a peaceful, car-free way to explore the island's lush gardens, historic stone masonry, and sweeping view corridors.

Famous Secret Stairs of Belvedere Island

Winding across the island's steep topography, several key stairways and public lanes stand out for their historic beauty and dramatic views:

1. Belvedere Way Lane & Golden Gate Lane

Connecting upper Belvedere Avenue with lower Beach Road, Belvedere Way Lane offers a quick pedestrian descent toward Belvedere Cove. Nearby, Golden Gate Lane frames breathtaking, unobstructed vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco skyline, and Richardson Bay.

2. Park Lane & Woodwardia Lane

Tucked into lushly landscaped glens, Park Lane and Woodwardia Lane wind past historic shingled Craftsman and Queen Anne Victorian homes. Framed by native ferns, flowering bougainvillea, and hand-cut stone walls, these steps evoke the romantic charm of turn-of-the-century California.

3. Pomander Walk & Hawthorne Lane

Pomander Walk is perhaps the most romantic pedestrian lane on the island. Named after classic English garden walkways, it provides an intimate, stone-paved stroll bordered by cottage gardens, ivy-covered arbors, and quiet residential gates.

4. Cedar Lane, Woodland Lane & Pagoda Lane

Forming a challenging vertical series on the island's eastern slope, Cedar, Woodland, and Pagoda Lanes feature steep stone and concrete flights. These stairs climb past terraced gardens, offering walkers glimpses of Angel Island and Mount Tamalpais through mature bay trees.

5. McLean Lane & Madrona Avenue Connectors

Positioned on the western side of Belvedere Island, McLean Lane connects West Shore Road to upper Madrona Avenue. This steep stair corridor delivers exhilarating views across Richardson Bay toward Sausalito and the Marin Headlands.

• Public Pedestrian Easements: Though bordered by private luxury homes, all marked lanes are public municipal pathways open to walkers.
• Historic Preservation: The City of Belvedere and local historic societies actively protect the original stone, timber, and brickwork of these 19th-century stairways.
• Fitness & Recreation: Walking the combined stairways provides a rigorous cardiovascular workout with over 500 cumulative vertical steps.

The Belvedere Challenge: Community Fun Run and Stair Race

Inspired by his discovery of the secret stairs and drawing ideas from Mill Valley's famous Dipsea footrace, resident Charlie Harrington envisioned turning these hidden pathways into a community event. In February 2023, he launched the inaugural Belvedere Challenge.

Featuring a 4-plus mile course starting at San Rafael Avenue and West Shore Road, the race takes over two dozen local participants up and down the island's secret stairways. The route weaves through Belvedere Way, Golden Gate, Park Lane, Woodwardia, Pomander Walk, Hawthorne, Cedar, Woodland, Pagoda, and McLean Lanes. Interspersed with zig-zagging surface streets, the Belvedere Challenge has become an annual celebration of community spirit, neighborly connection, and island exploration.

For more local coverage on the Belvedere Challenge and community history, read the original feature story at The Ark Newspaper.

What Search Portals Miss About Historic Properties on Belvedere Island

Automated real estate search engines like Zillow fail to account for how proximity to Belvedere's secret stairs affects property value and daily livability. Portals cannot determine whether a hillside property shares a property line with a public pedestrian lane, or whether a home enjoys direct stair access to the Beach Road waterfront. Working with a knowledgeable local specialist like Phillipa Criswell ensures you evaluate historic Belvedere homes based on verified property surveys and true community context.

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