“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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read more Explore the untouched beauty of Burton Creek State Park,
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Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Rustic is a word too often tossed around when marketing people try to describe their lodging properties. But for real rustic, head to the Lost Trail Lodge located off the grid in a canyon outside Truckee. Getting to the lodge is an adventure in itself, especially when the Sierra is in winter-wonderland mode. Four miles from parking when winter is in full swing, the way...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Located 20 miles outside of South Lake Tahoe, Lover's Leap is a crack climber's dream come true. Surrounded by a beautiful, dense forest are impressive granite rock faces climbing 600 vertical feet, sewn together with cracks seemingly perfect for a human foot or hand. There are more than 100 routes to choose from. The multi-pitch climbs range from basic to extremely difficult; there is an...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Meeks Bay Resort & Marina offers camping, lodging and outdoor recreation within its 2,000 acres. A full-fledged marina providing boat service, boat tours and kayak, paddleboard, motor boat and pedal boat rentals, Meeks Bay is home to a beautiful white-sand beach that was once an ancestral Washoe Indian site. The resort offers full water ski and water tubing packages. There are three varieties of accommodations...read more
Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Memorial Point Overlook is on Highway 28 between Incline Village and Sand Harbor. The easiest way to see the expansive beauty of Lake Tahoe, this overlook gives you a bird's-eye view of the variations in water color and the large granite boulders that frame the shoreline of Lake Tahoe. The free parking area accesses a visitors center and a quick trail that accesses the shore....read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Moon Dune Beach may be tiny and not offer many services or allow pets, but it does have the softest, whitest sand found in Lake Tahoe. And it offers free access. The beautiful beach provides some shady areas off the water and portable bathrooms in the summer. Please note that there is no designated parking lot. Parking is on Highway 28 only. Located across from...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
When you are out at Camp Richardson to have fun, it would be a drag if you had to run into town to get the gear to do it. Luckily Mountain Sports Center, Camp Richardson's centrally located sports shop, has equipment rentals for both warm and cold weather activities. Mountain bikes or tandem bikes, snowshoes or cross-country skis, they've got them right...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Nevada Beach and Campground, a part of the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, is a great place to camp at Tahoe. The site possesses a forest of pine trees set back from the water and is usually serene compared to other Tahoe beaches. Visitors with or without RVs can pay to use the overnight campground, which offers barbecue grills, picnic tables, fire rings,...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
When it comes to learning from the best, North American Ski Training & Climbing School (NASTC) must be considered. An outdoor recreation education system created in 1994, NASTC is a unique offering of multi-day and full immersion programs that invoke mastery in adventure skiing and rock climbing. Based out of Lake Tahoe, NASTC offers programs in Donner Summit, Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows as well as...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
North Tahoe Beach is a large offering for free public access to Lake Tahoe and includes parking. Almost 3 acres with nearly 600 feet of shoreline, the park has a multitude of amenities to offer. There are three beach volleyball courts, a horseshoe pit (although you do need to bring your own horseshoes), barbecue grills and picnic tables available for use. For large parties of...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
North Tahoe Regional Park offers 124 acres of recreational fun for the entire family. Situated in north Lake Tahoe in Tahoe Vista, North Tahoe Regional Park gives visitors a ton of activities like disc golf, tennis courts, multipurpose ball fields, soccer facilities as well as a scout area. Additionally, there is a leash-free dog park as well as groomed, dog-friendly cross-country ski and snowshoe trails...read more
Northstar California Resort
Village at Northstar
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Since 1972, the Northstar California Resort has drawn winter sports enthusiasts to the area. Twenty different lifts provide access to some 100 trails on more than 3,000 acres of skiable terrain. The majority of the trails are designed for intermediate level skiers, while about a quarter of them are for advanced skiers and the remainder are just right for beginners. Speaking of beginners, Northstar offers...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Paige Meadows is a huge area of easy hiking and mountain biking trails in the summer and cross-country skiing trails in the winter. An area that is superb for families and those not wanting a big workout, the zone has very few hills yet offers stunning views of the area. In the spring Paige Meadows is filled with a variety of wildflowers. In the fall...read more
