“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
Sawmill Road, South Lake Tahoe, CA
Explore the untouched meadows and woodlands of Washoe Meadows State Park, offering serene trails and breathtaking views at the base of Echo Summit's escarpment. Named in tribute to Native Americans who thrived here for millennia, the park remains undeveloped, preserving its raw beauty. Enjoy dog-friendly trails while abiding by leash regulations. As a part of the Sierra State Park Foundation, please lend a hand and help keep this treasured part of our heritage cleaner than you found it.
Explore the untouched meadows and woodlands of Washoe Meadows State Park, offering serene trails and breathtaking views at the base of Echo Summit's escarpment. Named in tribute to Native Americans who thrived here for millennia, the park remains undeveloped, preserving its raw beauty. Enjoy dog-friendly trails while abiding by leash regulations. As a part of the Sierra State Park Foundation, please lend a hand and help...read more
Explore the untouched meadows and woodlands of Washoe Meadows State Park, offering serene trails and...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
It's safe to say with the 13 different ski areas in the Lake Tahoe basin that the area is rich in ski and snowboarding options. But Palisades Tahoe/Alpine Meadows has one thing that the others do not: long, steep runs. That is why Palisades Tahoe/Alpine Meadows is the place that many skiers and snowboarders flock to to hone their craft on one plank or two. Palisades...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Patton Landing Beach is a pebbly version of Lake Tahoe shoreline. A free public beach that offers picnic tables and summer-only bathrooms, the park also has free parking and a car-top boat launch. To help with the fun factor, Waterman's Landing Beach Cafe adjoins the free public beach and offers yummy treats and delicious drinks as well as kayak, canoe and paddleboard rentals. This is...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Pebble Beach, otherwise known as Dog Beach (or lesser known as Elizabeth Williams Beach), is a small strip of Lake Tahoe shoreline with a park-like setting that is legal for canines. North by a few miles of the U.S. Forest Service Kaspian Campground (approximately 4 miles south of Tahoe City), the beach is extremely easy to access. Although close to Highway 89 and the bike...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Three miles south of Incline Village on State Highway 28, Sand Harbor has a variety of natural features that you can spend an entire day exploring. You can hike several trails down the shoreline or off into the woods. You can rock-hop, scrambling across the giant boulders that extend out into the lake. You can rent a kayak or standup paddleboard to float down to...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Sandy Beach is a beautiful yet 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...read more
Lake Tahoe Running, Walking & Hiking
Secline Beach is an often-missed section of sandy beach that you'll find right as you're coming into Kings Beach; it's behind the Transam gas station. It's a nice beach with picnic tables, grills and shady spots. There is no fee for entry as there are no designated places to park or gated areas. There are garbage dispensers and portable bathrooms available. This is a good...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 is a shopping and marina center highlighting water experience: restaurants, boat and water activities rental, cruise boat, fishing and shopping in South Lake Tahoe. It is the launching spot for day and dinner cruises on the Safari Rose and the soon to arrive The Tahoe Spirit. Ski Run Marina is the home to Riva Grill (amazing food and cocktails with impressive views), Artemis Mediterranean Cafe (a healthy...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
Just over the hill from South Lake Tahoe toward Kirkwood in Hope Valley is Sorensen’s Resort. Imagine a rustic inn with a B&B vibe and a nice range of lodging options. Sorensen’s has a great restaurant, a wood-fired sauna and acres and acres of high-country wilderness to explore. The resort puts you within spitting distance of all sorts of backcountry recreation, from fishing and hiking...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 nearly 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 backcountry access. Other unique features include a scenic gondola ride into the car-free...read more
