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Tahoe Rim Trail

See The Best of the Sierra Nevadas On These 10 Lake Tahoe Hiking Trails

lake tahoe view

 When it comes to family outdoor fun, I can’t think of a better place than the Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe, California. The mountains and lakes here are simply breathtaking. I can’t think of a better way to explore them than getting out on the Lake Tahoe hiking trails. The area is home to miles and miles of trails that feature everything from waterfalls and views of the lake to wide bands of wildflowers lining the canyon floor. 

 Best Lake Tahoe Hiking Trails

Emerald Bay Lake Tahoe
Emerald Bay Lake Tahoe

Not sure where to get started? True, there are trails branching out in all directions from the lake. The Tahoe Rim Trail circles it. We find that the best hiking trails in Lake Tahoe lie to the north and south. Many offer breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains. We have put together our list of favorites for easy, moderate, and difficult trails. 

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Table Of Contents
  1.  Best Lake Tahoe Hiking Trails
    • Tahoe Rim Trail 
    • Picnic Rock Viewpoint
  2. North Lake Tahoe Hiking Trails 
    • Tahoe Meadows Interpretive Trail 
    •  Lola Montez Lakes Trail
    • Mount Rose Summit Trail
  3. South Lake Tahoe Hikes
    • Van Sickle Bi-State Park Waterfall Hike
    • Skyline Trail Hike
    • Frog Lake to Winnemucca
    • Lower Eagle Falls 
    • Mount Tallac 
  4. Hotels and Airbnbs near Lake Tahoe, Calfornia
  5. Best Time to Visit Lake Tahoe
Map provided by Wanderlog, a road trip planner

Tahoe Rim Trail 

The 165-mile-long Tahoe Rim Trail takes hikers around the entire lake. This trail has numerous trailheads and offshoots that make it ideal for a day hike or multi-day backpacking. 

Tahoe Rim Trail
Flickr John Taylor

Picnic Rock Viewpoint

One of the favorite Lake Tahoe hiking trails north shore is one to Picnic Rock Viewpoint along the Tahoe Rim Trail. This moderate three-mile trail rewards you with great views of the lake and surrounding mountains. 

North Lake Tahoe Hiking Trails 

Tahoe Meadows Interpretive Trail 

Tahoe Meadows Interpretative Trail is a short, one-mile loop through granite boulders, pine forests and mountain streams. It’s level path at the summit of Mount Rose is great for families with small children or people with disabilities.

North Lake Tahoe Hiking Trails - Meadows Interpretive Trail
Flickr Axeleratio

 Lola Montez Lakes Trail

Lola Montez Lakes Trail is a multi-use, six-mile trail loop that’s off the beaten path and a little hidden. You’ll find it off Highway 80 at the Soda Springs exit. Follow the paved road east past the fire station to the trailhead/parking area. The terrain includes shallow creeks, forested areas, and rocky hills. Although there is no view of the Lake Tahoe, hikers are rewarded with Lower Lola Montez lake at the mid-point. This lake is quiet as not too many people know about it and it’s perfect for an afternoon swim.  

Mount Rose Summit Trail

Mount Rose is one of the area’s tallest peaks and on clear days you can see Reno and Carson City. The 10-mile trail climbs to 10,776 feet through forest and meadows and then turns into vertical, switchbacks as you near the top.

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Lake Tahoe Hiking Trails

South Lake Tahoe Hikes

Van Sickle Bi-State Park Waterfall Hike

We love hikes that end at a waterfall. This is an easy, 1.5-mile out-and-back waterfall hike. This trail starts with an uphill hike that takes you to a cascading waterfall and views of the South Shore of Lake Tahoe. If you want to continue this hike, you can stay on for 3.6 miles to connect to the Tahoe Rim Trail. 

Skyline Trail Hike

The Skyline Trail is one of the best hikes in Lake Tahoe if views are what you are after. You start aboard the Heavenly Ski Resort Gondola which provides views of the entire valley below. Once you reach the summit, you can see the basin below then descend the mountain. 

Frog Lake to Winnemucca

This is one of the best summer hikes in the Lake Tahoe area. The 6.5-mile trail is often lined with summer wildflowers and hikers enjoy expansive views of the Mokelumne Wilderness.  You can extend your hike and head into the canyon to view Fourth of July Lake.

Lower Eagle Falls 

Lower Eagle Falls is another waterfall hike that is good for families. This two-mile hike is accessible from the Vikingsholm Castle parking lot inside the Emerald Bay State Park, but can be a crowded hike during mid-day. It’s best to get here early. It’s an easy hike to get to the falls as its downhill. The hike back up is uphill (150ft) so it takes a little more effort.

Mount Tallac 

This 9.5-mile hike is one of the area’s most difficult hikes, but it also it one of the most scenic. You’ll climb 3500 feet to the summit of Tahoe basin’s tallest mountain. From the summit hikers can see Cascade Lake, Emerald Bay, Fallen Leaf Lake, and all of Lake Tahoe’s South Shore.  At a moderate pace, this hike will take 9 hours. Pack a lunch and plenty of water. Trekking poles are also a great idea. Note: Pick up your required hiking permit at the trailhead. 

Hotels and Airbnbs near Lake Tahoe, Calfornia

Related: Here are 10 more waterfalls in Northern California you should add to your busket list.

Lake Tahoe Hiking trails

Best Time to Visit Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is a premier ski destination, yet I find myself wanting to visit in the summer more than anything. With summer temperatures in the mid 70’s and sunshine for days, it’s an easy guess why. Summer is the best time to visit Lake Tahoe if you enjoy outdoor recreation like hiking, kayaking, camping, and paddleboarding. It really is a great time to visit.

There are our picks for the best hiking trails for south Lake Tahoe and north Lake Tahoe. I know it isn’t an exhaustive list, but it is enough to get you started on your next trip. Tell about the trails you’ve enjoyed when in the area and where we need to go next. 

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Written by:
Nicky Omohundro
Published on:
July 23, 2019
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Categories: Family TravelTags: California, family travel destinations

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About Nicky Omohundro

Nicky Omohundro is a travel and active family lifestyle blogger and social media influencer based out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She shares stories, destinations, and ideas on food, family, health, and outdoor recreation to help families find their own adventures. Her spirit animal is a caffeinated squirrel fueled by coffee, real food, and the desire to seek new adventures.

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Hello, my name is Nicky, founder of Little Family Adventure. I'm a vivacious mother of three who wants to assist you in having "No Child Left Inside." With one teenager still at home and two young adults successfully out navigating the world, I'm out exploring the world and traveling with and sometimes without them to provide you with fresh food ideas, travel destinations, and family-friendly activities. Allow me to help you discover your own Little Family Adventure!

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