“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
CA State Park Road, Tahoma, CA
Ed Z'Berg Sugar Pine Point State Park is your best bet for winter camping. Also open with a larger selection of sites in the summer, the park is positioned to take advantage of both the beautiful natural setting of Lake Tahoe and the historic aspects. Within the park is access to the Hellman-Ehrmann Mansion that was built in 1903. The property is still exquisitely maintained and is an excellent representation of the wealthy side of Tahoe. Tours are offered during the summer by Sierra State Parks Foundation (sierrastateparks.org). There are various trailheads, swimming beaches and great fishing within the park as well as a Nature Center that helps visitors identify the local flora and fauna. In the winter the foundation hosts full moon snowshoe expeditions, and this is a great place for sledding and snowshoeing. Dogs are allowed on leash only. Visitors should remember to pack it in, pack it out and leave no trace. An entrance fee is charged.
Ed Z'Berg Sugar Pine Point State Park is your best bet for winter camping. Also open with a larger selection of sites in the summer, the park is positioned to take advantage of both the beautiful natural setting of Lake Tahoe and the historic aspects. Within the park is access to the Hellman-Ehrmann Mansion that was built in 1903. The property is still exquisitely maintained...read more
Ed Z'Berg Sugar Pine Point State Park is your best bet for winter camping. Also...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Sandy Beach is a beautiful tiny piece of free public beach access in Tahoe Vista. Near the Mourelatos Lakeshore Resort, this sandy beach provides views looking up Lake Tahoe toward Mount Tallac, creating a stunning perspective. The beach is outfitted with garbage cans year-round, and portable bathrooms are added in the summer. A bonus to this beach is that there are picnic tables and grills...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
The west side of Secline Beach is a forested, small, park-like setting with many trees shading picnic tables and open space. Seasonal kayak and stand-up paddle board rentals are often available. The east side of Secline Beach is an open sandy beach that transitions smoothly over a short distance from the lake to a paved turn-around area. Tables and barbecues are provided, as well as seasonal...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
If you enjoy the serenity and fun that the state parks provide on the California side of the Lake Tahoe area, then you can thank Sierra State Parks Foundation. Founded in 1974, the foundation is a nonprofit supporting eight different parks around the western side of the region: D.L. Bliss State Park, Donner Memorial State Park, Emerald Bay State Park, Kings Beach State Recreation Area, Sugar Pine...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Ski Run Marina in South Lake Tahoe is a shopping center and marina highlighting water experiences. Restaurants, boat and water activities rental, cruise boat, fishing and shopping are all in one location. It is the launching spot for day and dinner cruises on the Safari Rose and the The Tahoe Spirit. Ski Run Marina is the home to Riva Grill (amazing food and cocktails with impressive views), Artemis Mediterranean Cafe...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Skylandia is a gorgeous, 24-acre state park that offers a multitude of amenities. Situated a mile and a half from Tahoe City, Skylandia offers both a grass park area complete with grills, picnic tables, paved trails and public bathrooms as well as a sand beach that offers leisurely walks with views that look up the lake toward Mount Tallac and South Lake Tahoe. The park...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Spooner Lake is an excellent winter and summer recreation area. The reservoir is home to year-round fishing, hiking and birding. In the summer the lake is the place for swimming, non-motorized boating and mountain biking, and in the winter the cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are great. There is a day-use fee collected per vehicle/bike, so make sure to bring some money. read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Privately owned and operated by the homeowners in the Village at Sugar Bowl, Sugar Bowl Resort has attracted skiers and snowboarders to the top of Donner Summit for more than 75 years. As a Tahoe-area resort that consistently collects great stashes of snow, Sugar Bowl boasts four distinct peaks and an open-boundary policy for back country access. Other unique features include a scenic gondola ride into...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Tahoe Adventure Company is a way to access any outdoor adventure in Lake Tahoe. Whether it is rock climbing or kayaking – including clear kayak tours, mountain biking or hiking – Tahoe Adventure Company prides itself in creating custom recreation tours that connect exactly with what the guest desires. They add a ton of local knowledge to each of their trips and also offer kayak and paddleboard rentals and tours. Other fun experiences Tahoe Adventure Company offers include star tours, full...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Tahoe City Winter Sports Park is a great place for families and those looking for a fun day of sledding, ice-skating or cross-country skiing in Tahoe City. The center is on the Tahoe City Golf Course and provides a 4-kilometer groomed traditional and skate skiing cross-country loop that is also great for walking and snowshoeing. The sledding is open from Friday to Sunday except for...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Tahoe Cross Country (aka Tahoe XC) boasts a large trail system for hiking and biking in the summer and groomed cross-country ski and snowshoe trails in the winter. Situated on Dollar Hill just outside of Tahoe City, the location is excellent for lofty lake views while enjoying the wilderness. Tahoe XC offers bike rentals, bike clinics, year-round youth programs as well as classic, skate ski and snowshoe rentals and...
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Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Sprawling Tahoe Donner and its 6,000-plus properties above Truckee are home to full-time and part-time residents and a year-round destination for visitors from all over who are drawn to its beautiful neighborhoods, vast trails, open spaces and unique amenities. With the world-class Cross Country Ski Center and Downhill Ski Resort open to members and the public in the wintertime and the Tahoe Donner Trail System...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Area is one of the most extensive and scenic Nordic ski centers in the West. It includes Alder Creek Adventure Center and a cafe/bar as well as a ski rental center. From lung-busting climbs to flat meadows, Tahoe Donner has more than 100 kilometers of trails groomed for skate skiing and traditional cross-country striding as well as snowshoeing. Alder Creek...read more
