11 Top-Rated Hiking Trails near South Lake Tahoe, CA

On the shores and mountains that ring the sparkling blue waters and turquoise bays of Lake Tahoe, hiking trails lead to peaks, waterfalls, inland lakes, meadows, and lookouts. Views over the shimmering lake below on a sunny day are astounding.

In the spring, the snowcapped peaks stand out sharply on the horizon; in the summer, the wildflowers light up the trails; and in the fall, the leaves glow a brilliant yellow, contrasting with the deep green of the pines.

Many of the best hikes are found on the southwest shore, near the city of South Lake Tahoe. Hikes running along the lake offer beautiful scenery, with little elevation gain and level terrain. These are favorites with families. For hikers looking to reach new heights, challenging summit trails offer jaw-dropping panoramic views.

For a little peace and quiet, away from the large crowds, the Desolation Wilderness, just inland from Lake Tahoe, offers a mix of trails that take hikers into the rugged backcountry.

Find the right trail for you with our list of the best hikes at Lake Tahoe.

Rubicon Trail

Running alongside and above the shore of Lake Tahoe from D.L. Bliss State Park to Eagle Point on Emerald Bay, the Rubicon Trail offers spectacular views of the cobalt blue lake; the distant mountains; and the shallow, aquamarine-colored bays.

The trail hugs a ridge high above the water for much of the way and provides exceptional scenery for relatively little effort.

The direction of travel doesn't really matter. If you are only doing this trail in one direction and shuttling, the views are a bit better heading from D. L. Bliss State Park to Eagle Point, but this direction has a slight elevation gain.

You will have to pay to park at D.L. Bliss, but it's not particularly expensive and on a busy day, when it's difficult to find a parking spot in other locations, this may be a better option.

In addition to the beautiful surroundings, you'll also come across the historic Vikingsholm mansion. The impressive stone building dating from 1929 is Scandinavian in design. The interior has been preserved, and tours are available in the summer.

If you choose to end your hike here (and have a shuttle arranged), just follow the trail up to the highway above. Or, you can continue onwards to Eagle Point. Most people choose to turn around at Vikingsholm and hike back to D.L. Bliss State Park.

Cascade Falls Trail

The short hike to Cascade Falls is the perfect trail for many reasons. The mountainside path is scenic the entire way, the falls are stunning, and the view over Cascade Lake to Lake Tahoe in behind is quite possibly the highlight. The towering mountain behind the falls gives the trail a sense of remoteness.

This is only a two-mile round-trip hike with very little elevation gain, making it a good option for families with children.

The trail takes you right up to the edge of the falls, but the surrounding area is mostly smooth, exposed rock, perfect for exploring or enjoying a picnic lunch.

The trailhead is located at the back of the Bayview Campground, off Highway 89, about eight miles north of South Lake Tahoe. The campground is across the road from Inspiration Point.

Fallen Leaf Lake Trail

This short hike leads to a scenic inland lake with a pleasant shoreline and views to the surrounding mountains. The trail to the lake is just a simple walk, but you can extend the hike and follow the path along the shoreline to the right.

Although there are a couple of places to access the lake, the main trailhead is located at the back of the Fallen Leaf Campground. The path is very easy, leading up over a low rise and then down to the lake. From the shore, you can see Mt. Tallac off to the right.

This walk is all about the destination. The water is clear, and mountains on the far shores, often snow-capped in the spring, provide a peaceful setting, perfect for a picnic or enjoying a quiet afternoon. You can find your own space to set up a chair or towel and enjoy a break from the busy trails.

Depending on how far you want to walk, this can be a 2.5-mile round-trip hike or less than a mile if you just want to see the lake.

Eagle Falls to Eagle Lake Hike

The Eagle Lake Trail, beginning at the spectacular Eagle Falls, has several options for trail length. A good choice is the scenic trail to Eagle Lake. This is one of the most popular hikes on the southwest shore of Lake Tahoe and frequently busy, but it's definitely worth doing if you can find parking.

Eagle Falls is essentially right off the highway, requiring only a short stroll to reach the edge of the falls. The hike to Eagle Lake is a steady climb, ascending just over 400 feet in elevation in the span of a little less than a mile, but the reward is worth the effort.

This glacier-formed lake lies at the base of surrounding mountains, which reflect the mirror image in the calm waters. The water is crystal clear, and the shoreline is shallow. On a hot day, you can wade in to cool off. The round-trip hike to Eagle Lake is approximately 2.5 miles.

The main problem with this hike is parking, which is extremely limited, considering the number of people who visit this area. On a weekend, getting a parking spot is a matter of luck. Many people stop simply to see Eagle Falls, so there is some turn through, but your best bet is to get there early.

Although this is a short hike, it lies within the Desolation Wilderness area and requires a permit. These are free for day hikers and readily available at the trailhead.

Granite Lake and South Maggie's Peak

Hikers have the option of tackling an easy to moderate hike up to Granite Lake, which lies at the base of Maggie's Peaks, or continuing onward and upward to the summit of South Maggie's Peak. The rewards are the views over Lake Tahoe as you make your way up to Granite Lake, a peaceful and scenic spot for relaxing.

The hike to Granite Lake is just under one mile (two miles return), with slightly less than 900 feet in elevation gain.

If you choose to go all the way to the top, you'll be treated to outstanding views over Lake Tahoe and the entire area. To the top of South Maggie's Peak, the total elevation gain is 1,900 feet. The trail to the very top is steep and demanding, and will add another mile round-trip to the entire hike.

This hike is a good introduction to the Desolation Wilderness area, which extends into the mountains beyond the southwest shore of Lake Tahoe. All hikers in this area are required to pick up a permit. These are available at the trailhead.

Glen Alpine Trail to Aloha Lake Hiking Trail

Numerous trails leave from the Glen Alpine trailhead, near the south end of Fallen Leaf Lake, but if you are looking for a longer day hike, or even an overnight backpacking trip, Aloha Lake makes a beautiful destination. Surrounded by mountains and dotted with small islands, this is one of the most picturesque alpine lakes in the area.

This 12-mile round-trip hike, often showing fabulous displays of wildflowers, passes Susie Lake and Heather Lake before reaching the shores of Aloha. Here, open expanses of rock look out onto the glimmering blue water. This is an in-and-out hike, with switchbacks and some elevation gain, but it is an enjoyable day hike.

Skyline Trail

This popular summer hike allows you to reach high alpine terrain without actually having to hike any real elevation. Accessed by lift, the Skyline Trail is a two-mile hike with outstanding views over Lake Tahoe and the surrounding area.

This is a good choice if you are coming to the Lake Tahoe region from lower areas and aren't yet acclimatized but want to hike the higher regions. A chairlift off Heavenly's Gondola takes you to the start of this trail.

Mt. Tallac Trail

If you want to bag the tallest peak in the Tahoe area, Mt. Tallac is the hike you're looking for. This roughly 10-mile round-trip hike has more than 3,200 feet of elevation gain, but on a clear day, you'll be glad you did it.

Views are stunning all along this trail. Some of the highlights include views over Fallen Leaf Lake near the start; Floating Island Lake; Cathedral Lake; and eventually an eye-popping panorama over Lake Tahoe, Fallen Leaf Lake, and the Carson Range.

The trailhead is off Highway 89, on the road towards Camp Shelly. It's located in the Desolation Wilderness, so you will need to obtain a permit at the trailhead.

Mount Rose Trail

If you want to bag more than one peak on your Lake Tahoe hiking expedition but would like a bit of vertical assistance, give Mount Rose a try. The main benefit of this hike is its starting point at 8,900 feet. From here, you only need to ascend another 1,876 feet to get to the top.

The trail is 10 miles long, so you'll need to be in decent shape to make it to the summit and back. Overall, it's a pleasant hike that spends a bit of time in the forest before emerging into lovely meadows that in the spring are a carpet of wildflowers.

You may be lulled into complacency as you stroll along in the meadows, but it's near the end of the hike where the hard work begins. A series of switchbacks will have your legs burning, and you gasping for breath in the thin mountain air. However, all that discomfort will be quickly forgotten once you reach the summit and start soaking up the views out over the lake and surrounding countryside.

Incline Flume Trail

The Incline Flume Trail is part of the much longer and much steeper Flume Trail. The advantage of taking this trail is that you get some of the best parts of the longer trail without the effort of slogging up over a 1,000 feet across 14 miles.

This trail was primarily known only to locals, as it wasn't on any maps; however, now new signage is up, and it's sure to be one of the more popular hikes at Lake Tahoe.

The mostly level trail runs for just over a mile, and you'll see the remains of the old wooden flume used to move logs from the Lake Tahoe area to the gold mines to the east in Nevada. It's perfect for families and those looking for a casual walk in the woods with great views of the lake, and a bit of history thrown in for good measure.

To find the trailhead, head north of Incline Village for two miles, where you'll find a small parking lot. As you walk along, be mindful of mountain bikers; the trail is open to both hikers and bikers.

Tahoe Interpretative Loop Trail

One of the best hikes in the Lake Tahoe area for spring wildflowers is the Tahoe Interpretative Loop Trail. The trail is officially signposted at 1.3 miles, but as it's part of the much longer 165-mile-long Tahoe Rim Trail, you can really go as far as you want.

The trail is mostly level and has boardwalk sections over small creeks and wet sections, making it an ideal family jaunt. Signs along the way provide interesting facts and information for trail users.

Map of Hiking Trails near South Lake Tahoe, CA

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike in South Lake Tahoe?

The best time to hike in South Lake Tahoe is July and August, when all the trails are open. If you want to get up into higher areas, including the Desolation Wilderness, the peak of summer is when to go. This is also the busiest time.

If you are just looking for lower elevation hikes and want to catch the waterfalls at their peak, consider coming in late May or June. You can also have good luck in these months even at higher elevations during years when spring comes early and not much snow has fallen over the winter.

What about parking at the trailheads?

Parking at the trailheads is a problem. The sheer number of people wanting to explore this beautiful area versus the amount of parking available is a total mismatch - especially on the weekends. If you want to be assured of a parking spot, go early in the day. Also, have a backup plan in case the parking area is full.

Are dogs allowed on the hiking trails around South Lake Tahoe?

Dogs are allowed on most of the trails around South Lake Tahoe but must be leashed. The main exceptions are trails within the state parks. Dogs are not allowed anywhere in the parks, except in the campground area.

More Hiking and Outdoor Adventure Ideas in California

• Hiking: California is a treasure trove of great hiking destinations. The parks are particularly popular hiking areas. If you're visiting some of these places, you can narrow your hiking selection with our articles on the Best Hikes in Yosemite National Park and the Best Hikes in Redwood National and State Parks. You can also read about the most scenic day hikes along the Pacific Crest Trail and even the Top Hikes in California.
• Camping: Choose the best places to pitch your tent with our series of articles on the best campgrounds around South Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, and Sequoia National Park. Even if camping isn't your usual activity, these parks make it worthwhile. For a little something different, try camping in Joshua Tree National Park and enjoy a bit of the desert.
• Outdoor Destinations in California: Even if you aren't interested in hiking or camping, you can find scenic drives and sightseeing opportunities in some of America's most impressive outdoor spaces. Discover fun and interesting things to see and do in Joshua Tree National Park and Yosemite National Park, and explore the highlights of California's desert destinations.