Hiking in Lake Tahoe, CA

Made possible by

Featured Articles

About Lake Tahoe Hiking

Recommendations by

Total Experiences

18 reviews

More Lake Tahoe Activities

View Lake Tahoe
Displaying all 18 results within 100 miles
  1. Loch Leven Basin
    Loch Leven Trail -Hiking

    Hiking up the Loch Leven Trail

    Difficulty
    2 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    29.1 miles
    Duration
    With a stop at the lake
  2. Marlette Lake - Hiking

    At 8200' above sea level, Marlette Lake offers spectacular breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe and the Spooner Backcountry that can only be accessed by foot, bike, or horse. This 10 mile round trip trail, just 20 minutes from Heavenly Village, is also a connector to the popular Tahoe Rim Trail and Flume Trail, for those who want a longer adventure.

    Difficulty
    3 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    6.3 miles
    Duration
    4.5 hours
  3. Tinker Knob
    Tinker Knob -Hiking

    Hiking Donner Summit to Tinker Knob

    Difficulty
    3 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    16.9 miles
    Duration
  4. Chimney Beach - Hiking

    Breathtaking views and a short hike down to the shore make Chimney Beach a great place to spend a few hours at Lake Tahoe.

    Difficulty
    1 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    8.3 miles
    Duration
    This hike will take less than one hour round trip.
  5. Lush meadows surround Spooner Lake
    Spooner Lake - Hiking

    Located 12 miles East of South Lake Tahoe, Spooner Lake is a family friendly hiking and picnicking area in the Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park.

    Difficulty
    1 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    6.2 miles
    Duration
    This assumes the average hiking pace of two miles per hour for most ability levels.
  6. The view of Lake Tahoe from 10,067 foot Monument Peak, accessible from the Van Sickle connector trail.
    Van Sickle Bi-State Park - Hiking

    The Van Sickle Bi-State Park opened in 2011 to the excitement of both hikers and mountain bikers. It's trail is a perfect day hike for people of all abilities

    Difficulty
    2 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    11.0 miles
    Duration
    Depending on how far along the Van Sickle Connector Trail you decide to go, time for your adventure will vary.
  7. The imposing granite cliffs above Granite Lake
    Christmas Valley Trail to Dardanelles Lake - Hiking

    Just South of Lake Tahoe, Dardanelles Lake is a hidden gem. This forested lake offers a moderate day hike with awesome swimming as the reward.

    Difficulty
    3 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    20.8 miles
    Duration
    This assumes a two mile per hour pace, adding about one half hour for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain.
  8. Eagle Lake as seen from the trail above.
    Eagle Lake - Hiking

    The Eagle Lake hike from the Eagle Falls trailhead offers dramatic views of iconic Emerald Bay, Eagle Falls, and Desolation Wilderness.

    Difficulty
    2 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    10.9 miles
    Duration
    This is a one to two hour hike depending on ability level and leisure time.
  9. Two hikers overlook Ralston, Tamarack, and Cagwin Lakes with Lake Tahoe in the distance.
    Echo Lakes - Hiking

    Echo Lakes and Desolation Wilderness are one of the most scenic hiking destinations in Lake Tahoe, and offer hikes experienced hikers, novices, and families.

    Difficulty
    3 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    18.1 miles
    Duration
    This time accounts for a hike to Tamarack Lake while using the water shuttle to cross Echo Lakes. This same hike with no water shuttle may take 4-5 hours.
  10. Wildflowers and scenic vistas abound on the hike to Ellis Peak.
    Ellis Peak - Hiking

    Ellis Peak is a visually stunning hike on the West shore of Lake Tahoe that offers abundant wildflowers, wide vistas, and exhilarating views of Lake Tahoe.

    Difficulty
    3 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    11.0 miles
    Duration
    This assumes a two mile per hour pace, adding one half hour for every thousand feet of elevation gain.
  11. Lower and Upper Echo Lakes on the left with Tamarack and Ralston Lake on the right, as seen from the Pacific Crest Trail.
    Lake Aloha - Hiking

    One of the most popular destinations for day hikers and overnight backpackers who want to explore the 63,000-acre Desolation Wilderness west of Lake Tahoe

    Difficulty
    2 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    18.1 miles
    Duration
    The hike is about six miles from the trailhead to the Lake. You can add in more distance by continuing around the lake.
  12. Hikers are rewarder with panoramic views of Lake Tahoe from the summit.
    Mount Rose Summit - Hiking

    Mount Rose is the second highest peak in the Lake Tahoe basin. This tough but rewarding hike is one of the most scenic in the region.

    Difficulty
    4 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    16.6 miles
    Duration
    Assuming a two mile-per-hour pace and adding an extra half hour for every thousand feet of gain, the Mount Rose Summit hike takes approximately 6 hours round trip.
  13. Cathedral Lake is the last water before beginning the steep, sun-exposed climb to the summit.
    Mt. Tallac - Hiking

    Mt. Tallac is one of the most popular and rewarding summits in the Tahoe region, and features breathtaking panoramic views.

    Difficulty
    3 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    11.8 miles
    Duration
  14. A hiker surveys Susie Lake from the Pacific Crest Trail in Desolation Wilderness
    Tahoe Rim Trail/Pacific Crest Trail through Desolation Wilderness - Hiking

    West of Lake Tahoe, Desolation Wilderness is one of the most scenic hiking and backpacking destinations on the Tahoe Rim Trail.

    Difficulty
    3 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    18.1 miles
    Duration
    Starting from Echo Lakes, it is technically 25 miles from the trailhead to the end of Desolation Wilderness. This hike would typically take 14 hours to accomplish in one piece, but it is recommended to break Desolation Wilderness into multiple day hikes to best see its full beauty.
  15. Galena Creek Park - Hiking

    Connect to the Mt. Rose Wilderness area by hiking this 9 mile loop out of Galena Creek Park.

    Difficulty
    4 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    16.6 miles
    Duration
    This hike usually takes anywhere from 3.5-5 hours to complete.
  16. The base of Horsetail Falls in Twin Bridges, California
    Horsetail Falls - Hiking

    A spillway of snowmelt from the peaks of Desolation Wilderness, Horsetail Falls is fullest in late spring/early summer. Crossing large granite boulders and walking beneath fragrant pines, the hike to Horsetail falls has something for everyone.

    Difficulty
    4 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    20.3 miles
    Duration
    The hike to the base of the falls and back will take approximately 2 hours for the motivated hiker. If you take on the added challenge of climbing the approximate 800 feet (in less than a half mile) to the top of the falls, it will more than double your time. To be certain, it is a haul calculating at a 42% grade, but worthwhile for the hearty adventurer.
  17. Hikers aproaching the steeps of Shirley Canyon
    Shirley Canyon -Hiking

    Hiking in Shirley Canyon

    Difficulty
    3 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    18.1 miles
    Duration
    There are a variety of trail options if you prefer a shorter day
  18. The summit of Freel Peak (right) and Job's Sister (left) from an opposing ridgeline.
    Freel Peak - Hiking

    Freel Peak is the tallest summit in the Lake Tahoe basin. This day hike offers incredible panoramic views of Lake Tahoe for expert hikers.

    Difficulty
    5 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    17.3 miles
    Duration
    This is based on 15.0 miles round trip with 3,200 feet of elevation gain assuming a pace of 2 miles per hour and adding 30 minutes for every 1,000 feet of gain.
Not here? Tell us what we’re missing.
If the experience you’re looking for isn’t here, contribute!
Got search feedback? Help us improve.

Related Stories

  1. So, You Want to Go on a Solo Van Trip?
    by Jenna Herzog
    Taking a solo van trip creates a lifestyle of ultimate freedom, but there are things you'll want to know before hitting the open road.
  2. The 10 Steepest Ski Runs in California
    by Jill Sanford
    You won't find more steep, skiable terrain in the lower 48 states than around Lake Tahoe. For those who like a challenging ride, here are 10 of the best steep runs to get your adrenaline pumping.
  3. 6 Hot Cocktails for Warming Up Your Winter Adventures
    by Jenna Herzog
    We recruited a professional NYC bartender to curate and adapt these hot cocktail recipes for winter adventures of all varieties.
  4. So, You Want to Live out of Your Car: What to Pack for an Epic American Road Trip
    by Aaron Hussmann
    Packing for life on the road walks a delicate balance between stripped-down minimalism and saving room for key creature comforts. Here are some tips from one couple who's lived out of their car for 6 months.
  5. 48 Hours of Adventure in Tahoe/Truckee During the Shoulder Season
    by Aaron Hussmann
    November might be the best time of year in Lake Tahoe. Gone are the bumper to bumper lines of traffic, the crowded trailhead parking lots and hour long waits for a simple meal, and the mercilessly packed aisles of the grocery store.
    6. See All Stories in Lake Tahoe, CA