If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, Lake Tahoe is the place for you! From that crystal clear lake to the majesty of the Sierra Nevada mountains to endless pine forests, you’ll find miles of scenic trails with breathtaking views, making Lake Tahoe a hiker’s paradise.
Hiking weather is best in late spring, summer and fall (although some adventurers will snowshoe in wintertime or before the spring snow has melted, too).
If you are using Shaka Guide’s Lake Tahoe Driving Tour you’ll be able to easily access any of these hikes along the tour route.
Map of Hiking Trails Around Lake Tahoe
So, here are some of the best hikes around Lake Tahoe on both the Nevada and California sides of the lake. They are listed here in a clockwise direction around the lake as if you are coming down to the lake from Reno via Mount Rose Highway (Highway 431) and are circling the lake starting in the town of Incline Village.
Lake Tahoe Trails
1. The Tahoe East Shore Trail
This is a paved path that is also a bike trail. But, the views along this trail from Incline Village, NV, along the east side of Lake Tahoe and heading south to Sand Harbor State Park beach, are nothing short of stupendous and not to be missed, especially if this is your very first time seeing Lake Tahoe.
This is a 3.5-mile trail that begins near the Tunnel Creek Cafe, where there’s parking. The trail is considered easy and takes about an hour to complete.
2. The Tunnel Creek & Flume Trails
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The trailhead for these two hikes begins from the Tunnel Creek Cafe parking lot in Incline Village, NV. The Tunnel Creek Trail is popular for both hiking and biking. It’s a 4.8-mile out-and-back trail through the forest above Lake Tahoe. The trail is clearly marked, well-maintained, and easy to follow. You’ll head gently uphill and, after about a mile, come to a stunning vista point overlooking Lake Tahoe.
From there, the trail continues along the ridge, gradually descending towards the lake. Although rocky and steep in places, it’s manageable for most hikers. There are a few switchbacks and some steeper sections, but it’s well graded and not too challenging.
About 2.5 miles into the hike, the trail reaches a junction with the Flume Trail. From here, you can continue on the Tunnel Creek Trail, or turn left onto the Flume Trail, which is a longer and more challenging trail that offers even more stunning views of the lake.
If you continue on the Tunnel Creek Trail, the path descends steeply down towards the lake, eventually reaching the Tunnel Creek Station. This is a historic site that was once used to transport lumber down to the lake. From here, you can continue down to the sandy beach at the mouth of the creek, or turn around and head back up the trail to the parking lot.
3. The Spooner Lake and Backcountry Trail
Image from Flickr by David Lofink
This spot is a popular hiking and mountain biking trail about a 20-minute drive south of Incline Village. The trailhead is located at the Spooner Lake parking lot on Highway 28. This is a 14.3-mile loop trail that goes through a beautiful forest with stunning views of Lake Tahoe.
The trail is well-maintained, clearly marked, and easy to follow. It’s flat and easy at first but gradually becomes more challenging as it climbs up a hillside towards Marlette Lake. After about three miles, the trail reaches Marlette Lake, a popular spot for fishing and camping.
From there, the trail continues through the forest and down towards Spooner Lake, again with stunning views of Lake Tahoe. The trail is rocky and steep in places, but still manageable for most hikers and bikers. After looping around Spooner Lake, the trail heads back toward the parking lot. The final section of the trail is mostly flat.
4. The Cave Rock Trail
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Cave Rock Trail is a scenic hike about 3 miles south of Incline Village, NV, on the east side of the Cave Rock tunnel. There is a small parking area on the west side of the highway, just before the tunnel. The trail is a 1.6-mile out-and-back hike that is well-maintained, clearly marked, and easy to follow.
It starts in the parking area and heads up a steep hillside towards the base of Cave Rock, a large volcanic outcropping that rises above the lake. The trail is rocky and steep in places, but still manageable for most hikers. As you climb higher, the views of Lake Tahoe become more and more impressive.
Once you reach the top of the hill, the trail levels out and heads toward the base of Cave Rock. From here, you can climb up to the top of the rock for an even better view of the lake. But this is a difficult and dangerous climb that should only be attempted by experienced climbers.
5. The Lam Watah Trail
This magnificent trail is located just south of Nevada Beach. The trailhead from the parking lot is about a five-minute drive south of Nevada Beach on Highway 50. This is a 2.8-mile loop trail that takes you through a beautiful meadow and offers stunning views of Lake Tahoe.
The trail is well-maintained, clearly marked, and easy to follow. From the parking lot, the trail heads south towards the meadow. The trail is flat and easy at first, but it gradually becomes more challenging as it climbs up a hillside towards a viewpoint overlooking the lake. After about a mile, you’ll get panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada mountains.
From there, the trail continues through the woods and down towards the meadow. The trail is rocky and steep in places, but it’s still manageable for most hikers and walkers. As you walk through the meadow, be on the lookout for wildflowers, butterflies, and other wildlife. It’s a great spot for a picnic, too. The final section of this loop trail is mostly downhill.
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6. The Taylor Creek Trails
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Four different trails begin from the Taylor Creek Visitor Center in South Lake Tahoe, CA. Three out of these four hikes are family-friendly and relatively easy. They are:
a. The Rainbow Trail
A 1.7-mile loop that leads you through meadows and forests along the creek for views of the surrounding mountains. It also has a special viewing tank along the trail that allows you to see what’s happening in the creek…under the water!
b. The Tallac Historic Site Trail
A one-mile round-trip trail leading to the former site of an old-time resort, where wealthy families from the late 1800s built their summer homes. Today, you can explore these historic log cabin-style mansions nestled in the forest along the lake and learn about the history of the area.
c. The Kokanee Trail
A 3.2-mile round-trip trail that follows Taylor Creek to Fallen Leaf Lake. You’ll pass through a dense forest with views of the creek and surrounding mountains. Bonus: in the fall, you might even spot the spawning salmon swimming upstream! And then, there’s the fourth trail that begins from the Taylor Creek Visitor Center. This trail is for experienced hikers.
d. The Mount Tallac Trail
This trail is the most challenging of the Taylor Creek hikes, and it’s also the longest, leading to the summit of Mount Tallac, which stands at 9,735 feet. (Keep in mind, though, that the lake itself is already 6,224 feet above sea level, so you’re up pretty high to start.)
This trail is 9.6 miles round trip and gains over 3,500 feet in elevation, offering stunning views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada mountains. But this trail is for experienced hikers only!
7. The Eagle Falls Trail
Image from Flickr by Daniel Parks
This scenic trail is located in Emerald Bay State Park, CA, practically across the street from the parking lot for Vikingsholm Castle, and is a relatively easy hike that leads to stunning views of Eagle Falls and Emerald Bay.
The trail is approximately 2.5 miles round trip, with an elevation gain of about 150 feet. Keep in mind that with waterfalls, the biggest gushes come in spring and early summer, when snow is melting off the mountains. Otherwise, you may just see a trickle instead of a powerful waterfall.
8. The Vikingsholm Castle Trail
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This trail leads down to a historic castle at Emerald Bay State Park, CA. The parking lot for the hike sits high above Lake Tahoe. This is one of the most spectacular experiences in all of Tahoe, and if you’re able to handle going up and down hills, I highly recommend you take this path.
The well-marked and well-worn trail zigzags about a mile downhill to the shoreline. This trail is pretty easy on the way down, but a bit more strenuous on the way back up the hill. This is a well-maintained trail and you’ll find people of all ages able to handle the trek.
The biggest challenge may actually be nabbing a parking space, so go early if you can! The trail itself leads you through a forest of pine trees, with peek-a-boo glimpses of Emerald Bay – arguably one of the most beautiful sections of Lake Tahoe (and home of the only island on the lake).
Once you make it down to the shoreline and castle, look for a small museum cabin just past the castle if you’d like to purchase a ticket to tour the castle. And – before you ask – you’re not allowed to drive down to the castle.
9. Cascade Falls Trail
Image from Flickr by Ray Bouknight
This relatively easy trail is located in Emerald Bay State Park, CA, and leads to the stunning Cascade Falls. The trail is approximately 2.5 miles round trip, with an elevation gain of about 200 feet on a steady incline. The trailhead is located at the Bayview Campground of the park, with parking available.
The trail runs through a forest of pine trees, is well-maintained, and offers stunning views of the Sierra Nevada mountains and Emerald Bay. After about .7 miles, you’ll reach the 200-foot waterfall. For a shorter route back, you can take the Cascade Falls Overlook Trail, which is only about .3 miles long.
10. The Rubicon Trail
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This scenic along the west shore of Lake Tahoe, CA, offers hikers stunning views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. The trail rated as moderate, with some challenging sections, and offers several access points along the way.
My personal favorite entrance to this trail is from D.L. Bliss State Park. From here, you can hike the Rubicon trail along the lake (sometimes on cliffs above the lake) all the way to Vikingsholm Castle in Emerald Bay State Park, about six miles round trip.
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11. The Meeks Creek Trail
Located on the west side of Lake Tahoe, CA is a popular hiking trail. It’s rated moderate, about 4.5 miles one way with a steady incline most of the way. The trailhead is across the street from the Meeks Bay Resort and Marina, with parking available.
The trail leads through a forest of pine trees on a well-maintained path with views of the lake and mountains. About a mile in, you’ll reach Meeks Creek, which is a nice spot for a picnic. Once you cross the creek, the hike continues another 1.5 miles to Lake Genevieve.
In another 1.5 miles, you’ll reach Crag Lake, but this section of the trail is more challenging, with a steep incline and some rocky terrain. The last leg of this hike would lead you to the Pacific Crest Trail (a long-distance trail that spans from Mexico to Canada). For a shorter route back, you can take the Meeks Bay Trail, which is only about two miles long.
12. The Five Lakes Trail
Image from Flickr by Navin Rajagopalan
Located near Alpine Meadows, which is next to Palisades Tahoe in Olympic Valley, about ten minutes from Tahoe City off the north side of the lake. This moderate hike takes you through forests and meadows to a series of five alpine lakes.
The trail is approximately 4.5 miles one way, with an elevation gain of about 800 feet. It’s rated moderate and has a steady incline most of the way. The trailhead is near the Alpine Meadows ski resort, with plenty of parking available. The trail is well maintained with stunning mountain views.
After hiking about 2.5 miles, you’ll reach the first of the five alpine lakes. Each lake is unique and offers its own stunning view. Once you finish the trail of the lakes, you can take a shorter hike back via the Alpine Meadows Trail, which is about 2 miles long through the surrounding forests. This trail, like many others around Tahoe, is at a pretty high altitude.
13. The Tahoe City Lakeside Trail
This trail is the most beautiful, easy, and peaceful walk that you can take on the north shore of Lake Tahoe. It’s a paved walking and biking path in Tahoe City, CA, that begins at Commons Beach (400 N. Lake Blvd.) in the heart of this quaint town. There is parking available in the municipal lot or along the main street.
This trail is a 2.2-mile path that winds along the shore and is mostly flat and easy, with just a few gentle slopes. From Commons Beach, the trail heads south along the lake, passing by several beautiful parks, beaches, and marinas and offering stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
You’ll pass the Tahoe City Marina, Boatworks Mall, and the Gatekeeper’s Museum, as well as restaurants and cafes. After passing the Gatekeeper’s Museum, the trail heads inland slightly before looping back toward the lake. The final stretch of the trail follows the lake shore past the Fanny bridge and the Truckee River Dam.
The Truckee River is crystal clear and gorgeous. You can usually spot giant rainbow trout as you’re walking across the Fanny bridge. The trail ends at the tiny dam. If you take the trail the other way from Commons Beach, it leads to a long public pier so that you can walk out over Lake Tahoe.
14. Historic Fire Lookout Trail
This is one of the best views of Lake Tahoe that you will find anywhere. And it’s along a trail that’s more known among locals than tourists. This trail is on the border of California and Nevada, above Lake Tahoe, overlooking Crystal Bay and most of the lake. It’s accessible via a public path that is a bit steep, but quite wide.
To find this hidden gem, navigate Highway 28 heading east from the beach in the town of Kings Beach, heading toward Incline Village. As soon as you cross into Nevada, you’ll make a left by the old casinos, onto Reservoir Drive, then a quick right onto Lakeview Drive, bearing left onto Lakeview Avenue.
You’ll see the trail on your left, behind a gate that says “no access” (meaning that it’s off-limits to vehicles). Park on the right shoulder of the road, then walk up the path, which will take you about 20 minutes each way (about .5 miles).
Be prepared to feel like you’re on top of the world! The trail is rated moderate since you’re hiking uphill to get there. This is the former site of a historic fire lookout built in the 1930s that was in use until the ‘70s.
15. The Tahoe Meadows South Boardwalk Trail
Image from Flickr by Jeff Moser
If you’re heading back to Reno from Incline Village, up Mount Rose Highway (Highway 431), this trail is on the way. It’s a short and easy walking trail on the eastern slope of Mount Rose, between Lake Tahoe and Reno, NV. The trailhead is located at the Tahoe Meadows South parking area, about 15 minutes north of Lake Tahoe along Highway 431.
The parking area is located on the south side of the highway, across from the larger Tahoe Meadows North parking area. The Tahoe Meadows South Boardwalk Trail is a 1.2-mile, round-trip trail that takes you through a beautiful meadow and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The trail is flat and easy, and most of it is on a boardwalk, making it accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
The trail begins at the Tahoe Meadows South parking area and heads east toward the meadow. The boardwalk begins just a few feet from the parking area and continues for most of the trail. As you walk through the meadow, you’ll see wildflowers, butterflies, and other wildlife. This is a great place to picnic. At the end of the boardwalk, the trail continues onto a dirt path that loops around the meadow.
The path is well-maintained, clearly marked, and easy to follow. From the dirt path, you’ll see stunning mountain views, including Mount Rose and Slide Mountain. After looping around the meadow, the trail heads back toward the parking area. The final section of the trail is mostly on the boardwalk.
Hiking Reminders
So there you have it! Here are some final hiking reminders: When it comes to Lake Tahoe, trails (and trail parking lots) can get pretty crowded during the heart of summer, so plan to start your hikes early, or much later in the day, when traffic is lighter.
Also, remember that you will be out in the wilderness on many of these trails, so it’s important to have plenty of water and snacks packed. And, finally, Tahoe is not a place that gets really hot on most days, even in the summer.
The elevation is high, and you’ll climb even higher on some trails, where it can become quite breezy and chilly. Dress in layers so that you have warmth but can peel down to lighter clothing if you need to. Now, get out there and take a hike!
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