Explore the best rated trails in South Lake Tahoe, CA. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Golden Eagle Trail and Kiley Ranch South Trail. With more than 34 trails covering 187 miles you’re bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Passing through California’s historic Gold Rush country, the El Dorado Trail runs more than 35 miles from Camino west to the line between El Dorado and Sacramento counties, just south of Folsom. The...
Following a stretch of Mount Rose Highway and Old Virginia Road in a suburban part of southern Reno, the Mount Rose and Old Virginia Bike Path provides a route to help cyclists and pedestrians...
An unremarkable community recreation path that spans suburban neighborhoods in Sparks, Nevada, the North Truckee Drain Trail follows the irrigation and flood control channel for a little over a mile,...
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The Foothills Trail is located on the outskirts of a suburban enclave in northern Sparks, running on the edges of the development before the rolling hills to the east take over. The concrete pathway...
The Tahoe Trailways Bike Path meanders along the west shore of Lake Tahoe in California. From a hub in Tahoe City's 64-Acres Park, the system branches out with three paved legs, reaching Dollar Point...
Beginning a few blocks north of where the Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway and the Erica Greif Memorial Bikeway intersect (accessible via wide sidewalks), the Sparks Boulevard Trail provides a means for cyclists...
The Pope-Baldwin Bike Path is one of the most popular paved trails in the scenic Lake Tahoe area, as it winds through pine forest not far from the lakeshore. The trail parallels State Route 89...
The Lake Tahoe Boulevard Bike Path follows its namesake road for its entire route in scenic El Dorado County, but unlike most sidepaths, this trail offers a winding course through dense forest. Smooth...
The Incline Village Bike Path consists of several paved trails alongside local roads in scenic Incline Village, Nevada. The community, resting on the northern shore of majestic Lake Tahoe, is well...
The Round Hill Bike Path is a link between the communities of Round Hill Village and Kingsbury on the east shore of Lake Tahoe. The trail winds through pine forest on a ridge above US 50. The northern...
The Damonte Ranch Trail is a paved, multi-use trail that runs throughout the wetland areas and subdivided neighborhoods in the southern Reno neighborhood of Damonte Ranch. The bulk of the trail is...
The Pinedrop Trail is a paved link between the community of Kings Beach, located on the northern shore of Lake Tahoe, and North Tahoe Regional Park. The trail winds through a hilly landscape of pine...
Spanning about two miles through residential neighborhoods in northern Sparks, the Wingfield Utility Corridor Trail offers a straight and mostly flat pathway through a corridor occupied by overhead...
An asphalt pathway that runs along the side of Toll Road in southern Reno, trail users don't have to pay a thing for the privilege of using this convenient, multi-use sidepath trail. The trail spans...
The Caramella Ranch Trail runs for around two miles, forming a link between several trails in the southern suburbs of Reno. In the north, the trail branches off from the Damonte Ranch Trail around the...
Spanning over three miles along the side of Lemmon Drive in the northern valleys above the city of Reno, the Lemmon Valley Trail offers a solid out-and-back trail experience that feels more removed...
The Pat Lowe Memorial Bike Path runs on both sides of State Route 89/US 50 in tiny Meyers, California. The paved trail provides access to several businesses along the highway. On the west side of...
A network of around five miles of paved, multi-use trail in the southern suburban neighborhoods of Reno, the South Meadows Trail System offers a popular means of recreation and exercise, connecting...
A sidepath trail that follows a busy roadway around the southeastern edge of Reno and across the Truckee River into southern Sparks, the McCarran Boulevard Bikeway gives cyclists and pedestrians over...
Part of a network of recreation paths in the suburban northern reaches of Sparks, Nevada, the Orr Ditch Trail gets its name from the irrigation channel that the trail follows for about half of its...
The Golden Eagle Trail leads from suburban neighborhoods in northern Sparks into the Golden Eagle Regional Park, a sprawling recreation complex with a host of athletic fields, located on the edge of...
The Stateline-to-Stateline Bikeway is an ambitious project to create a paved trail along the entire eastern shore of scenic Lake Tahoe. Planned to stretch from Crystal Bay in the north to Stateline in...
The Round Hill Bike Path is a link between the communities of Round Hill Village and Kingsbury on the east shore of Lake Tahoe. The trail winds through pine forest on a ridge above US 50. The northern...
An unremarkable community recreation path that spans suburban neighborhoods in Sparks, Nevada, the North Truckee Drain Trail follows the irrigation and flood control channel for a little over a mile,...
The Kiley Ranch South Trail is a concrete trailway that runs through the Kiley Ranch developments in suburban Sparks, Nevada. Following the course of the North Truckee Drain, with another trail on the...
The Pope-Baldwin Bike Path is one of the most popular paved trails in the scenic Lake Tahoe area, as it winds through pine forest not far from the lakeshore. The trail parallels State Route 89...
The Lake Tahoe Community College Bike Path winds through the school's scenic wooded campus in South Lake Tahoe, California. The college is removed from the resort town's crowded—albeit...
Spanning over three miles along the side of Lemmon Drive in the northern valleys above the city of Reno, the Lemmon Valley Trail offers a solid out-and-back trail experience that feels more removed...
The multi-use Historic Virginia & Truckee Trail (formerly known as the Carson City Trail) runs between Kings Canyon Road and Combs Canyon Road, passing through Carson City's western subdivisions and...
Following a stretch of Mount Rose Highway and Old Virginia Road in a suburban part of southern Reno, the Mount Rose and Old Virginia Bike Path provides a route to help cyclists and pedestrians...
The South Lake Tahoe Bike Path consists of several disconnected trail segments along Lake Tahoe Boulevard (US 50) in the beautiful lakeside resort town of South Lake Tahoe. The longest continuous...
The Caramella Ranch Trail runs for around two miles, forming a link between several trails in the southern suburbs of Reno. In the north, the trail branches off from the Damonte Ranch Trail around the...
The Pat Lowe Memorial Bike Path runs on both sides of State Route 89/US 50 in tiny Meyers, California. The paved trail provides access to several businesses along the highway. On the west side of...
Part of a network of recreation paths in the suburban northern reaches of Sparks, Nevada, the Orr Ditch Trail gets its name from the irrigation channel that the trail follows for about half of its...
The Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway is a planned route spanning the California–Nevada border from Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake. The bikeway is designed to loosely follow the Truckee River, which flows...
The Union Valley Bike Trail is a two-lane, paved route that connects the campgrounds on the east side of Union Valley Reservoir in the Eldorado National Forest. The trail skirts the shores of the...
Though it's only 3 miles long, there was no shortage of excitement when the Tahoe East Shore Trail opened in the summer of 2019. The trail made access to the northeast shore of Lake Tahoe...
The Pinedrop Trail is a paved link between the community of Kings Beach, located on the northern shore of Lake Tahoe, and North Tahoe Regional Park. The trail winds through a hilly landscape of pine...
The Truckee River Legacy Trail follows the river's south side, providing scenic views and access to two recreational amenities: Truckee River Regional Park and Riverview Sports Park. The paved trail...
The Sawmill Bike Path currently consists of two open segments—with a third in the works to link them—just south of the resort town of South Lake Tahoe. When complete, the trail will provide a seamless...
The Lake Tahoe Boulevard Bike Path follows its namesake road for its entire route in scenic El Dorado County, but unlike most sidepaths, this trail offers a winding course through dense forest. Smooth...
The Pat Lowe Memorial Bike Path runs on both sides of State Route 89/US 50 in tiny Meyers, California. The paved trail provides access to several businesses along the highway. On the west side of...
The Al Tahoe Bike Trail is a paved sidepath along Al Tahoe Boulevard in the scenic resort community of South Lake Tahoe, California. The trail runs between the road and dense pine forest for its...
The Truckee River Legacy Trail follows the river's south side, providing scenic views and access to two recreational amenities: Truckee River Regional Park and Riverview Sports Park. The paved trail...
A sidepath trail that follows a busy roadway around the southeastern edge of Reno and across the Truckee River into southern Sparks, the McCarran Boulevard Bikeway gives cyclists and pedestrians over...
The Incline Village Bike Path consists of several paved trails alongside local roads in scenic Incline Village, Nevada. The community, resting on the northern shore of majestic Lake Tahoe, is well...
The Sawmill Bike Path currently consists of two open segments—with a third in the works to link them—just south of the resort town of South Lake Tahoe. When complete, the trail will provide a seamless...
Spanning over three miles along the side of Lemmon Drive in the northern valleys above the city of Reno, the Lemmon Valley Trail offers a solid out-and-back trail experience that feels more removed...
The Tahoe Trailways Bike Path meanders along the west shore of Lake Tahoe in California. From a hub in Tahoe City's 64-Acres Park, the system branches out with three paved legs, reaching Dollar Point...
Passing through California’s historic Gold Rush country, the El Dorado Trail runs more than 35 miles from Camino west to the line between El Dorado and Sacramento counties, just south of Folsom. The...
An unremarkable community recreation path that spans suburban neighborhoods in Sparks, Nevada, the North Truckee Drain Trail follows the irrigation and flood control channel for a little over a mile,...
The Golden Eagle Trail leads from suburban neighborhoods in northern Sparks into the Golden Eagle Regional Park, a sprawling recreation complex with a host of athletic fields, located on the edge of...
The Pinedrop Trail is a paved link between the community of Kings Beach, located on the northern shore of Lake Tahoe, and North Tahoe Regional Park. The trail winds through a hilly landscape of pine...
The South Lake Tahoe Bike Path consists of several disconnected trail segments along Lake Tahoe Boulevard (US 50) in the beautiful lakeside resort town of South Lake Tahoe. The longest continuous...
The Union Valley Bike Trail is a two-lane, paved route that connects the campgrounds on the east side of Union Valley Reservoir in the Eldorado National Forest. The trail skirts the shores of the...
A network of around five miles of paved, multi-use trail in the southern suburban neighborhoods of Reno, the South Meadows Trail System offers a popular means of recreation and exercise, connecting...
The Pope-Baldwin Bike Path is one of the most popular paved trails in the scenic Lake Tahoe area, as it winds through pine forest not far from the lakeshore. The trail parallels State Route 89...
The Ski Run Bike Trail is a short paved sidepath adjacent to Ski Run Boulevard in the scenic resort community of South Lake Tahoe. On its route northeast towards the majestic lake, the trail links...
Though it's only 3 miles long, there was no shortage of excitement when the Tahoe East Shore Trail opened in the summer of 2019. The trail made access to the northeast shore of Lake Tahoe...
Beginning a few blocks north of where the Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway and the Erica Greif Memorial Bikeway intersect (accessible via wide sidewalks), the Sparks Boulevard Trail provides a means for cyclists...
This path is really conveniently located to a lot of homes along Sparks BLVD. It's short, but is a great connector to the Truckee River bike path. Also, so many ducks live along this path and they are just super fun to watch. It has a few places where the path dips down below the road level, and these can occasionally collect water. But if you're looking for a place to entertain your children with echoes, these underways are definitely the place to do it. The path is wide enough to accommodate traffic going both ways, which makes it great for walking or biking or bringing your dogs.
I ride mountain bikes, and not full suspension...the trail from Folsom to Latrobe, or Latrobe to Folsom, is garbage, for me, on a bicycle. Maybe if I was on a horse, or a dirtbike, or on full squish mountain bike, it would be OK, but the section from Folsom to Latrobe is ugly and very bumpy.
From Latrobe to Shingle Springs, or Shingle Springs to Latrobe, this trail is a lot of fun. Keep an eye out for the single track switching sides of the railroad as it is very frustrating to be off trail. There is a huge difference between the single track and the "trail" along the tracks. Ride the single track. The intimidating uphills are short and very manageable once you get going up (or down) them.
From Shingle Springs to Placerville, or Placerville to Shingle Springs, the trail is good. Not great, but good. There are sections that are fantastic and sections that leave a bit to be desired. Some of the single track climbs are tough. Be prepared to walk some if you are not a very good mountain bike rider. Even then, I hit a few wet roots or leaves or rocks and the rear tire just gives out with moisture, cold and steepness. Once you get to cross the road by Walmart, the opportunity for dirt reduces. It is there, you just have to keep a constant eye out for it. And if you do not run tubeless, don't go off road between Placerville and Diamond Springs as there are a ton of thorns just waiting for your tires...
This 36 (72) mile trail has a lot of potential and it is fun to ride up and back from Folsom to Placerville and back. Great training and the elevation is just under 4000' total so it makes it possible to hold good speed. A little too much tarmac and getting battered for the last 5-7 miles into Folsom is no bueno.
I enjoy this trail. I actually start on alt Lake Tahoe Blvd And follow the South Lake Tahoe trail all the way to the end of this trail. There are many other side roads like fallen leaf campground.
Easy trail with wide open views. Well maintained for one small area that needs some goat head bushes trimmed. Nice benches at several points to take a break. No shade, except under one bridge, so be prepared if it’s summer. We ended up on several nice bike/walk paths in housing developments on the southern end that took us back to our motel off 580. Easy For families with kiddos.
When you experience this trail you first need to realize it is actually about 37 miles long but is longer than that to Folsom or to Tahoe (Epic Trail System). That said, the El Dorado Trail is a "trifecta of trails" with rail, earthen trail and Class I bike path under construction. This is the goal of the entire corridor to the El Dorado County line BECAUSE it is the goal of the organization that manages it, the SPTC JPA.
The El Dorado Trail or Gem of the Western Sierras, is a rough, somewhat untamed trail testament to the folks who built it and many with legacy family members in the area. In fact, many with less than 75 years in the are do not know about the EDT. Come out and ride the rail now in Shingle Springs in the depot at Sam's Town Cyclery or rent bikes to ride the earthen trail. You can also ride the rail in El Dorado and soon they will have a Class I (ADA approved) bike path along with improved earthen trail.
The Placerville Trail (Missouri Flat to Camino) is great with some nice views and the tressle bridge over Weber Creek. However, watch out for cars and homeless in Placerville. Making way out of Placerville you can get to Camino with a little bit of a climb (estimate 600').
In the next few years projects will start to build the Class I trail next to the rail and hopefully we will see connects to Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills and Folsom.
Oh yeah, wildlife are plenty on the EDT having seen over the years many deer, fox, skunk and even a mountain lion!
Started 7:00am on trail and it was a challenge through some of the obstacles... freeway construction zone, Saturday Farmers Market, Gold Rush festival but that was the easy stuff. Problematic areas began after Missouri Flat Road / Walmart. Here the trail was either rocky, on an edge next to tracks or on the tracks. At least the worst was riding on tracks which is ok if you have good dual suspension and are dialed in. Views were awesome, no loose dogs, trails were challenging at times. We eventually abandoned the rails due to low air and low water I’d do it again but start in Camino and end in Walmart.
The main problem with the trail are the folks that cannot figure out the little stick figures (and text) painted on the pavement surface at most major crossings.
The pedestrian figure and the bicyclist figure are obviously travelling in the same direction of travel---pedestrian limbs and leaning into the walk, bicycle sitting on the bicycle facing forward. Pedestrian is on the left side of the trail as you read the right-side up text, "Left", and the bicyclist is on the right side of the trail as you read the "Right" text.
All the clues are there, but so many people don't seem to figure it out, so it is a bit annoying to have to go around them as they walk towards you on the trail.
I hope this helps.
Very nicely paved well maintained with benches and trash cans along Veterans PKY and Sparks Drive.
We started at the elementary school. After having to climb through 2 gates, my bike(a trail hybrid) could not handle all the sand. 2 miles in, we decided to turn around because I was struggling. On the way back, all 4 of our bike tires went flat.
It was over grown, very awkward gates blocking the labled pathway. Lots of goat heads. So many. And the best part was we paid to do this.
Beautiful scenery and an easy walk. We didn't see anyone on the trail the whole day we were there until we were walking back. There were lots of people in the campgrounds and on the lake though.
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