HIKING

TAHOE RIMTRAIL

Moderate

The Tahoe Rim Trail is a 164.8-mile loop trail that encircles Lake Tahoe. The trail is open to hikers and equestrians, and mountain bikers in some sections. It is generally moderate in di culty, with a 10 percent average grade and elevations ranging from 6,300 to 10,333’. tahoerimtrail.org

LAKE TAHOE

ALPINE MEADOWS

FIVE LAKES

Strenuous | 5 miles RT

Five Lakes is a great hike inside Granite Chief Wilderness, with the first 1 mile+ a steady ascent with great views of Alpine Meadows. Trailhead 1.8 miles up Alpine Meadows Road from Hwy. 89 across from Deer Park Drive. Dogs prohibited May 15-July 15 for deer fawning.

EAST SHORE

MARLETTE LAKE

Moderate | 9 miles RT

Walk along the dirt path through the picnic area and follow signs to Marlette Lake. Mostly sun exposed. Great wildflowers in early summer. Start at Spooner Lake State Park. Parking fee. parks.nv.gov.

SPOONER LAKE

Easy | 1.8 miles RT

Spooner Lake is a great, easy hike for any season with interpretive displays. At Spooner Lake State Park. Parking fee. parks.nv.gov

PICNIC ROCK

Moderate | 3.6 miles RT

Just o the Tahoe Rim Trail, the expansive view from the top provides a panorama of both Lake Tahoe and the Martis Valley. A single track winds up, o ering a gradual climb with no technical challenges, until reaching Picnic Rock, an old volcanic rock. O Hwy. 267.

NORTH SHORE

STATELINE LOOKOUT

Easy-moderate | .5 miles RT

This short, but steep, paved hike o ers superb views of Lake Tahoe. A short, self-guided nature trail explains the history of the North Shore. Hwy. 28 in Crystal Bay.

OLYMPIC VALLEY

SHIRLEY CANYON & SHIRLEY LAKE

Moderate-Strenuous | .5-5 miles RT

This hike follows a creek as it passes by waterfalls and spectacular granite boulders along Shirley Creek. Park at the end of Shirley Canyon Road. The first section that follows the creek is great for kids. As you climb, the trail may sometimes be hard to distinguish, so keep the creek on your right going up and on your left going down. Can continue a strenuous climb to High Camp and take the Aerial Tram to the valley (schedule at palisadestahoe.com). Check Tram schedule in advance. TART

WASHESHU & EMIGRANT PEAKS

Moderate | 3.4-4.4 miles RT

Ride the Aerial Tram to High Camp, elev. 8,200’, and choose from a variety of trails (maps from Guest Services or palisadestahoe.com). Climb to the weathered buttresses atop Washeshu Peak, visit the historic Watson Monument at Emigrant Peak or meander through the meadows covered with wildflowers, and enjoy the panoramic views a orded from the spacious upper mountain. Tram ticket required (schedule at palisadestahoe.com). Hikes in the meadows good for small children. Check Tram schedule in advance. TART

Trails open depending on conditions. Mileage is roundtrip, with levels based on family access. All trails are more heavily used on weekends.

SOUTH SHORE

LOWER & UPPER ECHO LAKES

Easy | 2.4-4.8 miles RT

Lower and Upper Echo Lakes is a little-known paradise perched atop Echo Summit, 5 miles west of Meyers on Hwy. 50. The trailhead begins next to the dam. Once you reach Upper Echo Lake, 2.4 miles from the start, you’ll see a kiosk at a dock for a water taxi. You can take a taxi back or return the way you came, or continue into Desolation Wilderness. The ride is a relaxing 20-minute tour through the channels connecting the two lakes. Taxi, cash only. Taxi open Memorial Day-Labor Day weekend. (530) 659-7207.

TRUCKEE

GLACIER MEADOW LOOP

Easy | .5 miles RT

Short, self-guided nature loop with signs that explain how glacial action carved and polished the surface landscape. Take Interstate 80 W from Truckee to the Castle Peak/Boreal Ridge Road exit.

MARTIS CREEK WILDLIFE AREA

Easy | 4 miles RT Loop through Martis Creek meadow for a walk along the creek. O Hwy. 267.

WEST SHORE

BALANCING ROCK

Easy | .5 miles | No dogs CLOSED 2023

A short, self-guided nature trail featuring Balancing Rock, an overlying rock of 130 tones balanced on a rock. At D.L. Bliss State Park. Parking fee. parks.ca.gov

EAGLE ROCK

Moderate | 1 mile RT

Quick hike to the top of a volcanic outcropping o ers panoramic views of the area o Hwy. 89 south of Tahoe City.

EMERALD BAY & VIKINGSHOLM CASTLE

Moderate | 2.5 miles+ RT | No dogs

Steep descent to Vikingsholm Castle (tours until Sept. 30). Can continue to Eagle & Emerald Points around the bay for easy hikes. Connects to Rubicon Trail (see below). Park on either side of rocky overlook in Emerald Bay on Hwy. 89. ADA access. Parking Fee. (530) 525-9529 | parks.ca.gov

GRANITE LAKE

Moderate | 2.2 miles RT

A small alpine lake situated on the cusp of Desolation Wilderness, the hike is a popular entrance for hikers and equestrians to the back country and a spectacular trek towering over the pristine waters of Emerald Bay. Steady ascent of 850’ in less than 1 mile. Trailhead at Bayview Campground o Hwy. 89.

PAGE MEADOWS

Easy-Moderate | 4-6 miles RT

The hike to Page Meadows is a local favorite because of its easy access and beautiful scenery through forests to an expanse of several meadows. You can start the hike to Page Meadows from 64 Acres o Hwy. 89 along the Tahoe Rim Trail for a longer hike or from Ward Creek Boulevard o Hwy. 89.

RUBICON TRAIL & LIGHTHOUSE

Easy-Moderate | .5-9 miles | No dogs CLOSED 2023 Hike starts at Calawee Cove at D.L. Bliss State Park or Emerald Bay. Trail follows cli s and coves along Lake Tahoe, nesting ospreys and eagles, short side trail to Rubicon Lighthouse, which is easy to access with small children. Parking fee. parks.ca.gov.

SUGAR PINE POINT STATE PARK

Easy | 1.5 miles RT

The nature trail loops through the forest past an array of wildflowers and through several sections of dense slash bleached nearly white from years of sun exposure. There are great spots to relax on the beach below Ehrman Mansion (tours until Sept. 30). Parking fee. ADA access (530) 525-7982. parks.ca.gov. TART