9 of the Top Hiking Trails in Tahoe

Among the most popular family hikes in the Tahoe area, the 1.7-mile (2.7-kilometer) Vikingsholm Trail descends from a parking area in Emerald Bay State Park to a beautiful lakeshore. At the end of the trail is Vikingsholm Castle, a mansion built in 1929 that you can visit on a guided tour.

Alternatively, on the shores of the lake is Emerald Bay Beach, ideal for sunbathing, picnicking, or simply cooling off before beginning the uphill trek back to the trailhead.

Insider tip: While the trail is not wheelchair accessible due to the steep grade, there is a shuttle for visitors with limited mobility to reach Vikingsholm.

The 4.6-mile (7.4-kilometer) out-and-back Five Lakes Trail climbs 1,089 feet (332 meters) en route to a series of five gorgeous mountain lakes in the wilderness west of Lake Tahoe. From a trailhead off Alpine Meadows Road, the trail winds through sun-warmed granite slabs and evergreen trees.

The hike itself generally takes around three hours to complete, but it’s worth lingering to enjoy the unnamed lakes themselves—they’re a popular spot to throw in a fishing pole, and jumping in for a quick dip is the perfect way to cool off after the uphill trek.

Did you know?: The landscape you’re hiking through on this trail is part of the Palisades Tahoe ski resort in the winter, home of the 1960 Winter Olympics.

The trail up Shirley Canyon starts at the base of Palisades Tahoe and rises through a beautiful collection of waterfalls, granite boulders, and wildflowers on its way to Shirley Lake. To access the trail, park at the main Palisades Tahoe lot and walk to the end of Shirley Canyon Road. From there, you’ll hike past three impressive waterfalls—beautiful spots to enjoy cool air and snowmelt-fed blossoms.

After reaching Shirley Lake, you can continue back down for a 6-mile (9.7-kilometer) round-trip. Alternatively, you could continue an additional 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) to High Camp, where you can take the Aerial Tram back to the resort base. You may want to by the end—it’s a fairly challenging trail with an elevation gain of 2,000 feet (600 meters).

While the 0.7-mile (1.1-kilometer) Eagle Rock Trail is among the shorter hikes in Lake Tahoe, it’s spectacular nonetheless—the trail passes through evergreen forest and ends at Eagle Rock viewpoint, which has panoramic views of the lake from the west. This is a popular spot with birders, who come to spot namesake eagles, as well as peregrine falcons whooshing by on updrafts, making it a great place for nature photography in Tahoe.

Sunrise views are particularly breathtaking, with sweeping vistas of the lake and surrounding peaks illuminated by golden hour light. This trail also happens to be very dog-friendly, so don’t be surprised to see plenty of pups on- and off-leash during your walk.

The 9.6-mile (15.4-kilometer) Mount Tallac Trail is one of the best trails in South Lake Tahoe. The climb leads to a 9,738-foot (2,968-meter) summit in Desolation Wilderness, the tallest peak of those clustered around the Lake Tahoe shoreline, with sweeping views to match.

Along the way, the trail winds through forests and past pristine lakes before the final push to the top. Most travelers take around six hours to complete the round-trip hike, but it’s well worth it—this summit is considered to be one of the best views, if not the best view of South Lake Tahoe anywhere in the area.

Did you know?: You’ll need a day use permit to enter Desolation Wilderness in the summer months. They’re free and available at the trailhead or Placerville Ranger Station.

Hiking the entire Tahoe Rim Trail takes up to two weeks—a big adventure some train for years to accomplish. But you can day hike sections of the Tahoe Rim Trail, with popular walks heading to a number of waterfalls, alpine lakes, and wildflower meadows.

One favorite in South Lake Tahoe is the relatively easy 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) round-trip hike to Van Sickle Bi-State Park waterfall, or the more challenging 6.4-mile (10.3-kilometer) McCloud Falls hike from the west shore, which passes through masses of summer blooms including lupine and tiger lilies. Backpackers like to share all their Tahoe Rim Trail info and experiences with first-timers, so be sure to research what section (or sections) you might like to try for your maiden voyage.

The 16.5-mile (27-kilometer) Rubicon Trail follows Lake Tahoe’s southwest shore from Emerald Bay State Park to D.L. Bliss State Park. A popular way to access the trail is via the Vikingsholm trailhead at Emerald Bay State Park, but many walkers hike just one section.

Along the way, find both sandy beaches and rocky coves, as well as tranquil areas of dense sugar pine and ponderosa forest where wildlife sightings are common. Watch for wildflowers along the stream beds, where you might spot columbine, bleeding hearts, monkey flowers, and more.

While the 1.8-mile (3-kilometer) Eagle Falls Trail is relatively short, it takes in remarkably varied terrain as it climbs 429 feet (131 meters) through the Lake Tahoe Basin. After a gradual rise from the parking lot, the trail steepens into a series of stone steps cut directly into the rock face. Once you reach Eagle Falls, you can return to the trailhead or continue to Eagle Lake—it’s one mile from the falls to the lake.

Insider tip: Parking is very limited—and often full—at the popular Eagle Falls trailhead, but it’s possible to come via the shuttle from Emerald Bay State Park during summer months. Check ahead to make sure it’s running.

The mostly flat, 3.5-mile (5.6-kilometer) Fallen Leaf Lake Trail is a great option for families seeking a relatively easy-but-longer hike in the Lake Tahoe area. After leaving the trailhead at Fallen Leaf Lake Campground, the trail winds between lake and forest views as it curves along the lakeshore.

You should also bring a picnic or even a fishing pole—many short side trails depart the main route with access to Fallen Leaf Lake, where there are brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. In the spring and fall, the surrounding peaks are garlanded with snow cover.