Find the top rated walking trails in South Lake Tahoe, whether you're looking for an easy short walking trail or a long walking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a walking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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My wife and I rode this path from Meeks Bay to Tahoe City and back. It's a decent trail, often just off the busy road that encircles Lake Tahoe. While it most definitely has some sections that are quite beautiful, a good part of the trail is more utilitarian: good for getting from point A to Point B, but not particularly scenic. The paved bike path does deviate onto some streets (watch the signage, which is adequate, carefully), but these streets are low traffic and relatively brief in length. The route is moderately hilly in parts, enough to test one's cardio capacity at times, and also enough to make it unsuitable in parts for young children. We're in our 70's, and though the ride got our heart rates up from time to time, we enjoyed the ride. Be aware that the weather can change suddenly. We rode the path one week after a somewhat freakish storm came up over the lake, creating 8 foot waves and resulting in some boating fatalities, as well as converting a summer (June) afternoon into a snowstorm (yes, really).
Walked part of this trail on 3/18/25. It was a mixed experience. It parallels a wetland area, but I felt the path was too far away from the wetland area for the majority of the distance to enjoy the wetland area as much as I would like. That said, it is better than walking on a sidewalk in a residential area. There is another path on the other side of the wetland area (labeled as "Ion Dr" on Google Maps) that is closer to the wetland area at times between Tree Swallow Lane and Los Altos Pkwy.
Road from the El Dorado Station of the El Dorado Western Railroad 4560 Oriental St, El Dorado, CA 95623 to the Camino end of the trail. This is a well paved trail that winds through the hills climbing most of the way to Camino but is a thrill on the return downhill to the trail head. A couple of places to be careful crossing streets and a short section through old town Placerville. There are only a few bathrooms so take advantage as needed. Bring water. Mostly foot traffic with only a few bikes. Watch for wildlife. We saw a doe with twin fawns.
The Class I bike path (paved) starts, in the west end, in the town of El Dorado. It has some "rolling" sections which are short but can challenge a novice rider. From the west turn left on Oriental St, stay left for a short distance to the parking area at the El Dorado Station.
From there the paved trail starts. It crosses Blanchard Rd (uncontrolled crossing), then Forni Rd (controlled crossing with a button to trigger light). You will soon come to Missouri Flat Rd, at the point the trail ends you must get across the 4-lane road + suicide lane. You can see a parking area across the road to the right, the traffic can be heavy and 40mph+. The safest crossing is travelling along the sidewalk to the light near Walmart, then continue on the sidewalk to the parking area, which is where the paved trail continues.
In approx. 100 yards you will see a bike park with a composite track, and has a nice bathroom! After a short climb you will descend to the Weber Creek wooden bridge, hit this at 20+mph on a road bike, it's smoother as you glide over the rather rough wood (they have replaced maybe 30% with smoother wood, need to do the other 70%!!!). After the bridge crossing you will climb a steady 2% grade to a portion that parallels Forni Rd, after you cross Forni Rd you come to a section Dedicated to fallen El Dorado Co Sheriff's Deputy Brian “Ish” Ishmael, RIP!
At the end of this section you will need to ride east on Main St, travelling through downtown Placerville. The traffic is usually heavy, but speeds are low, if you keep your pace up, you can keep up with traffic (please watch for cars pulling out or opening doors!). At the first stop SIGN (not light) turn left on Bedford St, and then a quick right (maybe 30 yards) before Hwy 50 to connect with the trail again.
You will reach the "Placerville Station" bus depot. Directly across Mosquito Rd is the continuation of the trail. Nearly 2 miles on the trail you will come to Jacquier Rd, take a left on this road, then turn right to the El Dorado Trail parking lot, the trail continues from there for 3.5 miles and 580 feet to the end of the paved portion. This is a fairly steady 3% grade with not much relief, so novice bikers may find this a bit of a challenge. Directly across from the end of the paved portion is an unpaved trail for a mile that ends near Hwy 50. I have ridden it on a road bike w/o too much trouble. You can also turn left at the end of the paved portion onto Halcon Rd (10 to 11% grade!), then left on Camino Hills Dr, then left on Vista Tierra, right on Camino Heights Dr, just before 50 make a right on Pondorado Rd this Hwy 50 frontage road will take you to a fairly new round-a-bout and underpass. This will open up a lot of road riding in the Apple Hill area. Narrow roads and some steep hills (10+% grades) and moderate traffic, so ride with day flashing front and rear lights (some areas are in deep woods, so its darkish even in the day). As a local, and have ridden the area many times, I avoid the area Late Sept through Mid Nov. Traffic is really busy and people tend to get lost or frustrated.
For non-road riders (dirt) I have ridden west on the unpaved trail (single track) on a road bike. It was fun until it wasn't! The slide out and low speed fall hitting a rock with my knee wasn't worth the previous mile of fun, trust me! I chalk this up to a complete lack of judgement, especially since I had another set of wider gravel rims with mounted small knobby tires.
We parked at the trailhead across from Combs Canyon Rd and snowshoed all the way to the end of the trail by the CC Hospital an back, about 1.6 miles. Easy trail and awesome views of CC and the Sierras.
Stunning views, lake breeze and access along the way. Perfect way to spend a day.
I really enjoy getting on this trail early on a Sunday Morning. I am usually on the trail by 8am.
I start at the south end and ride to E Greg Street.
I park at the Double Diamond Park. It is just a short ride along S Meadows Parkway to the beginning of the trail.
I included two screen shots of the Garmin map and a picture of the entrance to the Double Diamond Park.
You won’t regret visiting this well traveled trail. The walk is fairly easy with some extended inclines. This is one of the most beautiful trails I have hiked. Gorgeous views the whole way to Kings beach and back. Plan to take your time and enjoy it. The is no shade on this trail and
Loved this all paved trail! Both great for bikers and hikers! Several beautiful bridges to cross and medium level ability on mountain bikes as there are a few good hills. Gets your heart running!!
The trail is nice from Sparks until about the GSR. After you pass the GSR area heading to Reno, the path is quite inconsistent.
Love this trail! Views of wild horses and detached from traffic, wish we had more trails like this!!
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