12 Gorgeous Lake Tahoe Hikes You’ve Got to See to Believe

My in-laws live a short(ish) drive away from Lake Tahoe which means they’ve taken us up there a few times for hiking and exploring. And, I kid you not, some of these Lake Tahoe hikes are the most beautiful hikes I have ever been on (and I’ve been on a lot of hikes).

These Lake Tahoe trails are full of wildflowers, high-alpine lakes, granite formations, gondola rides, and breathtaking views. Honestly, pictures and descriptions do not do these hikes justice- but I’m going to try.

I’ve teamed up with Hiking with Heidi (aka my MIL) to let you in on some of the best and most beautiful hiking trails in Lake Tahoe. I’m honestly surprised she’s willing to share these hikes in Tahoe in the public sphere because it just means more crowds for her to beat next time she heads up hiking in Tahoe.

But seriously- get out on these trails and enjoy some of the most beautiful areas you’ve ever seen on these amazing California hikes!

Plus you could hike here, then head to the coast to Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea for a perfect summer weekend getaway (kids are invited). Or stay in one of these super-swoony 19 Unique Airbnbs in California!

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Things to Know Before Hiking in Lake Tahoe

• We’ve put together a great map on the hiking website CalTopo that features all of these beautiful Northern California hikes in the Sierras. You can check that map out here! It’s helpful to orient yourself to the area to get a feel of where these hikes are located.

• These hikes will (generally) be most accessible from June-October. However, with all Sierra Nevada hikes, snow can sometimes be present no matter the time of year. So you’ll always want to check current conditions before heading up. You can do that by searching the hike on All Trails to read about recent experiences. Or you can try searching the area on Instagram to see if you can find any recent photos of the hikes.

• Arrive at the trailheads early (at least by 9 am) because parking lots are small and fill up quickly. Especially arrive early if you are hiking on a weekend.

• Most of these trails have bathrooms at the trailhead (usually pit toilets).

What to wear on these Lake Tahoe hiking trails

Everyone has their preferences when it comes to what they wear when hiking. However, here’s what we like to wear and what we recommend:

• My husband and I both love to hike in trail running shoes. Because we like how light they are and that they have GREAT traction. These shoes are one of the few things I am willing to spend good money on! I wear Brooks Cascadia and he wears Salomon Sense Ride.
• I always hike in athletic leggings or biker shorts to help prevent chafing.
• It’s smart to keep a light rain jacket tucked in our bag just in case of showers. It can get chilly quick in the high mountains if you get wet. I wear the Patagonia Torrentshell and he also wears the Patagonia Torrentshell.
• We always have a hiking daypack with us to hold lots of water, a first-aid kit and other items. We use the REI Co-op Flash 22.

The Best Hikes in Lake Tahoe to add to your Tahoe Itinerary

North Lake Tahoe Hikes:

1. Loch Leven Lakes

• Distance: 7 miles round trip (out and back)
• Level:  Moderate

Loch Leven Lakes is a great Northern California hiking trail popular for hiking and backpacking for so many reasons!

This 7-mile Northern California hike rewards you at the end with a collection of three beautiful, granite-lined alpine lakes.

You will pass Lower Loch Leven Lake to find the biggest Middle Loch Leven Lake which is a perfect California hiking destination. However, if you continue about .7 miles further up the trail you will find High Loch Leven Lake. Which is a great lake for swimming because you can jump off awesome boulders into the water!

Remember to climb up the small granite hill next to Middle Loch Leven Lake for a great view of the water.

And If you’re backpacking in for the weekend, get to the lakes early to claim a perfect site with a lake view!

2. Granite Chief

• Distance: 4 miles round trip (out and back)
• Level:  Moderate-Difficult

Granite Chief is one of the most fun, unique, and gorgeous Northern California hikes, and you must experience it! Because you get to Palisades Tahoe Aerial Tram with perfect scenic Lake Tahoe views. Then you get to start your hike from there!

From the tram, make your way up the hill to Emigrant Peak, a big black rock formation, and then connect to the trail heading towards Granite Chief, which sits at an elevation of 9,000’.

The final trail to the summit is fairly steep with a little bit of rock scrambling but well worth the panoramic view!

Fun fact for Disney fans: Walt Disney was the director of pageantry for the 1960 Winter Olympics at Squaw Valley (now Palisades Tahoe).

3. Martis Peak Fire Lookout

• Distance:  Varies (drive to the top or park and hike the distance you prefer)
• Level:  Moderate
• Family Friendly

Martis Peak Fire Lookout is one of the fabulous family-friendly Lake Tahoe hikes! You will have a great 360° view from the fire lookout out over Lake Tahoe on one side and Martis Valley on the other. Plus, you’ll see fields of blooming mule’s ears and catch glimpses of Lake Tahoe through the trees.

And, you can go inside the lookout and find carved mountain markers identifying all the surrounding peaks. And if you’re lucky, you might spot a sailplane soaring around near the Truckee airport. Your kids will love it!

There are a few different options for hiking this route: First, if you have a good, high-clearance vehicle you can drive the dirt fire road all the way to the top to the fire lookout.

From here, you can enjoy the gorgeous views and hop on any surrounding trails for as long or as short of a hike as you and your kiddos are up for.

Second, you can park along the fire road and hike the ROAD the remaining way up to the fire lookout. Third, you can pick a spot to park along the fire road and then connect to the Tahoe Rim Trail leading to the fire lookout.

Bathroom note:  No bathrooms at the trailhead, though there is a pit toilet at the top next to the lookout (the best view you’ll ever have from a pit toilet😉).

4. Castle Peak

• Distance: 7 miles round trip (out and back)
• Level:  Hard

You must see this Northern California hiking trail’s castle-like crags lining Castle Peak’s ridge! Plus, you get a gorgeous 360° view of the beautiful surrounding area. 

After reaching the summit, hike down the opposite side of the ridge following the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Because here you’ll find a beautiful valley and you can check out the Peter Grubb Hut. If you’re lucky, you might cross paths with the many Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers. 

Park along the road leading to the trailhead and begin your hike by heading up the dirt fire road. Next, you’ll come to a meadow on the right where you can take a trail that connects you to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) leading up to the ridge.

Bathroom note (especially important if you’ve got kiddos with you):  No bathroom at the trailhead but some are available at the Donner Summit SnoPark.

5. Mt. Judah

• Distance: 5.5 miles loop (includes side trail to Donner Peak)
• Level:  Moderate

This lovely loop hike to Mt. Judah lets you walk back in time to get a glimpse into the history of California’s famed pioneer ‘Donner Party’. You will hike the ridge leading to the peak of Mt. Judah where you will have great views of Donner Lake where the Donner Party was stranded for a horrible, freezing winter.

Plus this hike includes a short side trail to Donner Peak where you can “peek” through large granite boulders for an additional fabulous view of Donner Lake.

And be sure to take the short little detour to see Roller Pass! Here there is a marker describing how the California pioneers used a roller mechanism to haul their wagons up and over the ridge. You’ll gain a whole new appreciation for the amazing hardships they experienced! 

6. Picnic Rock Vista

• Distance:  3 miles round trip, out and back
• Level:  Easy
• Family Friendly

Picnic Rock Vista is a popular spot for Tahoe visitors to soak in a gorgeous view of the lake. As the name suggests, pack a picnic and hike to this beautiful area overlooking Lake Tahoe for a lovely hike with the family.

Hikes in South Lake Tahoe:

1. Twin Lakes

• Distance:  5 miles round trip (out and back)
• Level:  Moderate

Twin Lakes is one of the most jaw-dropping hikes in Northern California. You’ll experience beautiful lakes, wildflowers, and gorgeous views.

You’ll start this amazing hike from Wright’s Lake which is a hidden gem all on it’s own. There’s even a campground at Wright’s Lake! For a great weekend, camp at Wright’s Lake then hike to Twin Lakes the next day.

There’s always a potential for a little snow cover in the Sierras, even in the summer, and we experienced that while hiking this trail in July, but nothing that we couldn’t safely cross.

2. Echo Lake Trail 

• Distance:  1-5 miles round trip, out and back hike as far or as little as you want
• Level:  Easy
• Family Friendly

Echo Lake trail is another one of the awesome Tahoe hikes for families. No matter how far you decide to go, you’ll be walking all along gorgeous Echo Lake!

At the beginning of the trail, make sure to climb up the little hill for a stunning view across to Lake Tahoe.

You can return once you reach the end of Echo Lake. Or you can continue one mile further to Tamarack Lake, which is a smaller but beautiful lake.

3. Eagle Lake

• Distance: 3 miles round trip (out and back)
• Level: Moderate

For some great Tahoe hiking, hike Eagle Lake! It’s a popular and well-traveled trail, however, the trail is popular for a reason!

For gorgeous views of Emerald Bay and Lake Tahoe, take a few minutes to explore the area right off the road on the opposite side of the trailhead. Here you’ll see water cascading over the rocks down towards Emerald Bay.

After that, begin your hike to Eagle Lake which takes you up some very cool stone steps and over a bridge across Eagle Falls. Then you will finish your hike at the picturesque Eagle Lake surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks.  You can even take a refreshing dip in the lake to cool down on a hot summer day.

Parking: There is a small parking lot at the Eagle Lake trailhead. And, if needed, there’s a larger parking lot at the nearby Vikingsholm trailhead.

4. Vikingsholm

• Distance: 2 miles round trip, out and back
• Level:  Moderate

Experience Tahoe’s hidden castle in Lake Tahoe’s Emerald Bay! Vikingsholm Castle is a historic Scandinavian-inspired home right on the shore of Emerald Bay which was one of the first summer homes on Lake Tahoe.

You can pay for a 30-minute tour of the castle, or just bring a lunch and enjoy the gorgeous lake views. Remember to also hike a little south to view Lower Eagle Falls.

Note: Remember, what goes down, must come up. The hike back up from Vikingsholm, while not far, is fairly steep. Good to keep in mind if you are with young kids.

Carson Pass Hikes:

1. Winnemucca Lake

• Distance:  5 miles round trip, loop trail
• Level:  Moderate

The hike to Winnemucca Lake is absolutely stunning! The snow-capped peaks reflecting in the beautiful lakes and the hills covered in wildflowers make this one of the must-see Northern California hikes.

One of the highlights of this hike is an abundance of wildflowers! Follow the Carson Pass Ranger Station on Facebook to get updates about current conditions year-round.

And because this area is a little distance away from Lake Tahoe, it’s slightly less crowded. But still get there early on the weekends!

You will park at Woods Lake Campground then hike up to Winnemucca Lake and loop past Round Top Lake and back to Woods Lake Campground. For a lovely weekend, camp at Woods Lake and enjoy the area a little longer!

However, the campground does not allow reservations, so you’ll want to get there early to claim a spot :). And if it’s your first time camping, check out this post about essential camping gear for first-timers!

2. Frog Lake

• Distance:  3 miles round trip (out and back)
• Level:  Easy to Moderate
• Family-Friendly

Frog Lake is another one of the best Lake Tahoe hikes for kids (if the kids can handle a little bit of hiking elevation).

This hike follows the Pacific Crest Trail and ends at a small, beautiful lake with gorgeous views and snow-capped peaks. When you reach the lake, make sure to hike around to the eastern edge so you can take in the view of Red Lake below. 

For a longer hike: After visiting Frog Lake, you can continue up the trail to Winnemucca Lake for more gorgeous views. Just make sure to follow the signs to Winnemucca Lake at the trail junction! 

Check out these other posts, you’ll love them:

• 16 Best Hiking Shoes, Boots, and Sandals for Women
• Joshua Tree National Park: 7 Tips to Love Bouldering as a Beginner
• The Ultimate Guide to Biking the Golden Gate Bridge
• Summer Weekend Getaway to Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea
• 19 Unique Airbnbs in California You Need to Experience

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments below! Because I am a real person who loves to talk travel :).

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