“There are 100 ways to kneel and kiss the earth,” according to Rumi, and surely one of the best is hiking. To experience Lake Tahoe hikes is to elevate above the usual – not only in altitude but in exquisite beauty, physical challenges and the inner peace mountain trails offer. To join in on one of the most well-known things to do in Tahoe, lace up those boots. There are literally hundreds of Lake Tahoe hiking trails, ranked from beginner to advanced, and one should believe the rankings. These high-altitude trails are not the place to be over-confident in your cardio or muscle fitness, and remember that, if you aren’t conditioned to the thinner air, your lungs will be working harder than usual. But once you’re on your way on the proper Lake Tahoe hikes, you’ll lose yourself in the views and be so glad you hit the trails. The many state parks in this area provide exceptional trails. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to see local flora and fauna and even historic castles and mansions! Several ski areas promote Lake Tahoe hiking in the warmer weather along the same trails that entice wintertime skiers. If you like the idea of a hike but would rather be going downhill, you can even ride the ski lift to the top and hike down. For novices, that’s a great way to start your Lake Tahoe hiking adventures.
Featured for Your Visit
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
7360 West Lake Boulevard, Tahoma, CA
Explore the untouched beauty of Burton Creek State Park, just outside Tahoe City, spanning 2,000 acres of pristine forest and meadowland. Unwind on 6 miles of unpaved roads, ideal for hiking, mountain biking and winter cross-country skiing. Traverse the mountainous terrain, adorned with conifers and shrubs that prime wildlife and bird watching. Spring brings a burst of wildflowers, while fall paints the cottonwoods in vivid hues. Though lacking amenities like water and restrooms, Burton Creek's charm lies in its natural preserves, including Antone Meadows and Burton Creek Natural Preserve. Despite its undeveloped state, Burton Creek holds immense potential, with numbered junctions aiding in improvisational hikes along dirt roads. For a structured experience, the new Tahoe Rim Trail section guides you through the park, where Burton Creek and meadows create a picturesque setting for leisurely walks. Motorized vehicles are prohibited, ensuring a peaceful haven for cross-country skiers, mountain bikers and hikers.
Explore the untouched beauty of Burton Creek State Park, just outside Tahoe City, spanning 2,000 acres of pristine forest and meadowland. Unwind on 6 miles of unpaved roads, ideal for hiking, mountain biking and winter cross-country skiing. Traverse the mountainous terrain, adorned with conifers and shrubs that prime wildlife and bird watching. Spring brings a burst of wildflowers, while
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Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
When it comes to maintaining Lake Tahoe's natural beauty, our best defense is in teaching our youth the importance that lies within protecting the wilderness. Acting as a steward of connection for youth and Mother Nature, Gateway Mountain Center is a place that engages young minds with adventurous and educational explorations in the natural world. Offering various wellness programs, athletic curriculum and summer camps, Gateway...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Granite Chief has been a fixture on the local ski scene for more than three decades. Skiers and outdoors enthusiasts can find Granite Chief’s offerings at its store in Truckee. In winter they offer a full-service ski shop with ski tuning, repairs and custom boot fitting. Granite Chief stocks the latest hard goods as well as ski apparel and accessories. If you’re thinking of upgrading...read more
Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Hidden Beach is a public beach a mile from Incline Village. Just off Highway 28, free parking is found along the highway. The beach is 750 feet in length and is comprised of rocky alcoves, a boulder-filled shoreline and stretches of soft sand. This area tends to be busy, but it isn't impossible to find your own private piece of paradise on a large Tahoe...read more
Palisades Tahoe | Alpine Meadows
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
High Camp at Palisades Tahoe is a conglomeration of various activities and dining and drinking opportunities. One of the favorite activities here is a roller-skating rink in the summer. High Camp is also home to the Olympic Museum, a gathering of appreciation for the 1960 Olympic Winter Games in Squaw Valley (now Palisades Tahoe). For skiers and snowboarders, this is both a launching pad for...read more
Hiking in Lake Tahoe is one of the truly special ways to experience and take in all of the beauty that the area has to offer. Plus, there are hundreds of different trail networks to play with all throughout the basin. From sweat-dripping, big-elevation-gain hikes that take you deep into the wilderness to road-shot mellow hikes that offer exceptional views but do little as far...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
With just 280 steps from the lift to the lake, skiing and riding at Homewood Mountain Resort offers some of the most iconic and unobstructed views of Lake Tahoe. With more than 1,260 acres, Homewood’s terrain ranges from smooth groomers and hidden tree stashes to wide-open bowls and offers something for skiers and riders of all ability levels. Its community-oriented vibe also lends to a...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Kaspian Recreation Area is on Highway 89, 4 miles south of Tahoe City at the base of Blackwood Canyon. A campground and outdoor recreation area, the zone is excellent for wilderness fun in summer and winter. Kaspian Beach and Campground are located on National Forest land managed by the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. The summer offers mountain biking, road cycling and hiking....read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Kirkwood Mountain is a South Lake Tahoe ski area tucked a little out of the way of the hustle and bustle that is seen in town. Kirkwood is about a 45-minute drive from the center of South Lake. This small distance creates positives: crowds are smaller and attention to personal service is higher. The ski area itself is great for all levels of skiers with...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
If your dog is your best friend, Kiva Beach is for you. Kiva Beach, a part of the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, is one of the few beaches where dogs are welcome, though they still must be on leashes, per El Dorado County leash law, and the Tallac Marsh is off limits to canines to protect the wildlife of the Taylor Creek wetlands....read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Lake Forest Beach is a free day-use park within the neighborhood of Lake Forest Glen, a few miles outside of Tahoe City. The beach is a secluded, sandy and pebbly shoreline. The views are spectacular from the angle provided by the park, giving direct sight of Mount Tallac and other framing mountains. This beach is perfect for launching paddleboards, kayaks or windsurfing equipment. The area...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Lake Tahoe is the second-deepest lake in the United States (and the entire world at its elevation of 6,228 feet). The bottom depth is measured at 1,645 feet deep in Crystal Bay near Kings Beach. With such a deep floor the lake has some unique attributes: Its colors shift to play off the sky's hue, it never freezes and, sometimes, the waves get so big...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park is a park system found on the east shore of Lake Tahoe. With six different management units that total 14,301 acres, the park protects miles of dense Tahoe forest and beautiful sandy and rocky beaches. Within the park are the swimming areas of Sand Harbor, Chimney Beach, Hidden Beach, Secret Cove, Creek Beach, Boaters Beach and Whale Beach as well...read more
