Trail Run Project Logo

Lake Tahoe

loading
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

Overview

Tahoe needs little introduction, as it's already top of mind for most people seeking the outdoors in California. The huge region spans from Alpine County granite domes in the south, across Lake Tahoe's cerulean waters, along paths of the Pacific Crest Trail and Tahoe Rim Trail, and into the meadows and volcanic peaks around Truckee and Nevada County.

The majority of this area exists as public land, rife with world-class trails tailormade for hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, and family time outdoors. From spring until late fall, the trails burst with wildflowers under blue skies and the sounds of birdsong. Tourism can be heavy and trails sometimes crowded, but the OnX guide shares everything from must-do classics to local gems and off-the-beaten-path finds to help you plan your own perfect adventures around Tahoe.

Gems in Lake Tahoe - 5

Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Gems

gem Favorite Lake Tahoe from the summit of Freel Peak.

Freel Peak Summit

(1) South L…, CA
gem Favorite Lower Glen Alpine Falls early morning, just off the road before the trailhead. Popular tourist spot.

Lower Glen Alpine Falls

(3) South L…, CA
gem Favorite Rubicon Point Lighthouse in front of Lake Tahoe

Rubicon Point Lighthouse

(5) Tahoma, CA
gem Favorite Ropi Lake Sunset

Ropi Lake

(4) South L…, CA
gem Favorite Emerald Bay in the morning light.

Vikingsholm

(4) South L…, CA

Recommended Routes in Lake Tahoe - 17

Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Recommended Routes

Favorite Emerald Bay in the morning light.
Intermediate Intermediate

Rubicon Trail Out and Back

12.3 mi 19.8 km 1,215' Up 370.33 m Up 1,214' Down 370.16 m Down

Tahoma, CA
Explore in 3D
Favorite View of Sierra at Tahoe from the top
Difficult Difficult

Pyramid Peak - Rocky Canyon Trail

6.5 mi 10.5 km 3,915' Up 1193.24 m Up 3,913' Down 1192.8 m Down

South L…, CA
Explore in 3D
Favorite The summit of Rubicon Peak offers phenomenal views out over Lake Tahoe!
Difficult Difficult

Rubicon Peak

3.6 mi 5.9 km 2,087' Up 636.21 m Up 2,085' Down 635.65 m Down

Tahoma, CA
Explore in 3D
Favorite View out towards Olympic Valley.
Difficult Difficult

Shirley Canyon Trail

5.8 mi 9.4 km 1,899' Up 578.74 m Up 1,898' Down 578.66 m Down

Sunnysi…, CA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Looking out at Cascade Lake and Lake Tahoe shortly before sunset.
Difficult Difficult

Maggie's Peak

4.0 mi 6.4 km 1,657' Up 505.05 m Up 1,656' Down 504.66 m Down

South L…, CA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Mosquito Ridge from just east of Michigan Bluff.
Very Difficult Very Difficult

Western States Endurance Run

96.9 mi 156.0 km 16,647' Up 5073.91 m Up 21,596' Down 6582.45 m Down

Sunnysi…, CA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Lake Tahoe and Emerald Bay from the vista point at the end of the Eagle Trail Loop
Intermediate Intermediate

Eagle Vista Loop

0.5 mi 0.8 km 135' Up 41.21 m Up 135' Down 41.07 m Down

South L…, CA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Epic views from the climb! Tahoe, South Shore, Blackwood Canyon, Rubicon Peak, Desolation Wilderness.
Intermediate Intermediate

Stanford Rock Trail to the Bench

10.5 mi 16.9 km 2,114' Up 644.34 m Up 2,114' Down 644.27 m Down

Sunnysi…, CA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Fontanillis Lake, with Dicks Peak in the background
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Fontanillis Lake Loop

11.1 mi 17.9 km 2,542' Up 774.82 m Up 2,540' Down 774.09 m Down

South L…, CA
Explore in 3D

Lake Tahoe Running

  • 194 Miles 312 Kilometers of Trail
  • 17 Recommended Routes
  • 5 Gems Gems
  • 7 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 57 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 23 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Share what you know about this area!

Areas Within Lake Tahoe

Weather Averages


High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
Days w/
 
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Trails in Lake Tahoe - 70

Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Trails

2.5 mi 4.0 km #1Eagle Falls Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA 20 
0.7 mi 1.1 km #2Cascade Falls Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Intermediate Intermediate
South Lake Tahoe, CA 19 
4.9 mi 7.9 km #3Star Lake Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA
0.5 mi 0.9 km #4Lighthouse Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Tahoma, CA
Intermediate Intermediate
Tahoma, CA
5.6 mi 9.0 km #5Western States Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Sunnyside-Tahoe City, CA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Sunnyside-Tahoe City, CA
0.7 mi 1.1 km #6Martis Peak Road (16N92)
Intermediate Intermediate
Kings Beach, CA
Intermediate Intermediate
Kings Beach, CA
4.9 mi 7.8 km #7Armstrong Pass Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Intermediate Intermediate
South Lake Tahoe, CA
0.7 mi 1.1 km #8Stanford Rock Summit
Difficult Difficult
Sunnyside-Tahoe City, CA
Difficult Difficult
Sunnyside-Tahoe City, CA
0.8 mi 1.3 km #9Freel Peak Summit Trail
Very Difficult Very Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Very Difficult Very Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA
0.2 mi 0.3 km #10Lower Eagle Falls Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Intermediate Intermediate
South Lake Tahoe, CA

Photos of Lake Tahoe - 403

Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Photos

Lake Tahoe from Mt. Tallac
Oct 28, 2015 near South L…, CA
An Early Emerald Morning.
Aug 15, 2016 near South L…, CA
Emerald Bay in the morning light.
Aug 15, 2016 near South L…, CA
The stunning view of the Desolation Wilderness from the summit of Pyramid Peak leaves nothing to be desired.
Jan 8, 2017 near South L…, CA
Pyramid Peak with Lake Aloha in the foreground.
Sep 10, 2017 near South L…, CA
Stream crossings during extremely high water level period. Waterfall flowed down from Peak 8417 and flooded forest.
Apr 8, 2018 near South L…, CA
View of Donner Lake from the top of Glacier Way trail
May 8, 2018 near Truckee, CA
View of Sierra at Tahoe from the top
Nov 13, 2018 near South L…, CA
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.