The Best Hikes In Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is one of those beautiful places where you can’t help but want to spend time outdoors. What better way to see the lake than from some of the best Lake Tahoe hiking trails. There’s quite a variety of trail lengths in Lake Tahoe, so no matter your expertise, you can find some trails in the area that fit what you are looking for. Sharing some of the best hikes in Lake Tahoe that are some of my favorites!

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Cave Rock Trail

This is a short hike that offers some of the best sunset views in all of Lake Tahoe. Several locals recommended it and it definitely did not disappoint. The path up to the rock is fairly flat and easy, but at the very end, you have to do a rock scramble to get to the top. You will need your hands and I highly recommend wearing hiking boots or tennis shoes. The views are 100% worth it!

Another cool thing is that you can see the rock structure from almost any point on the lake. It is also still considered sacred to the Washoe Indians and they call it “The Lady of the Lake” because from the water you can see the profile of a woman’s face.

Distance: 0.8 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain: 137 feet
Difficulty: Easy

Monkey Rock Trail

This is a pretty short but steep hike with incredible views from the top. It is located on the east shore of Lake Tahoe near Incline Village. The trail was named after a famous rock at the top that resembles a monkey. The trailhead leaves from the parking lot by Tunnel Creek Cafe, right off highway 89. If you start early in the morning, you will end in time for brunch at the Tunnel Creek Cafe. The avocado toast was amazing!

Distance: 2.6 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain: 498 feet
Difficulty: Moderate

Rubicon Trail

Rubicon Trail connects two of the most beautiful state parks in all of California, D.L. Bliss, and Emerald Bay. You can start the trail in either park depending on preference. Just get there early for parking. Another popular option is to start at D.L. Bliss State Park and have someone pick you up at Emerald Bay State Park at the end of the trail. The trail goes along the water the majority of the time, with great views around each bend. The first 2 miles are some of the best views of Lake Tahoe!

This trail takes you down through the Emerald Bay beach area where you can see Vikingholm Castle and take a break for lunch!

Distance: 16.4 miles (if you hike all the way out and back)
Elevation gain: 2306 feet
Difficulty: Moderate

Eagle Lake Trail

The trail is mostly uphill but offers some beautiful views of another nearby lake. This trail is on the west shore making it a perfect hike if you are staying in South Lake Tahoe or Tahoe City. This hike goes into the Sierra Nevada mountain range and has amazing views of granite mountain peaks reflecting in the water. I recommend arriving early as parking is very limited. We didn’t get a spot in the lot and had to add some time to our hike!

Distance: 1.9 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain: 459 feet
Difficulty: Moderate

Eagle Rock Trail

Eagle Rock is a very short hike to a rocky lookout point on the west shore of Lake Tahoe. From the top of Eagle Rock, nearly all of Lake Tahoe comes into view. Parking is available right along the side of State Route 89. This would be a great spot to watch the sunrise across the lake!

Distance: 0.7 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain: 239 feet
Difficulty: Easy

Vikingsholm Trail

If you aren’t up for the full Rubicon trail and want to see Vikingsholm castle or Emerald Bay Beach, you can take this trail down. It is a steep descent, so be mindful that you will have to make the trip back up!

The story of Vikingsholm was amazing to hear and see the beautiful architecture. In 1928, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight bought the land with the desire to build a summer home that would complement the natural surroundings nd tie in the architecture from her travels to Scandinavia. Vikingsholm is considered one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the United States. It was enjoyed by Ms. Knight for 15 summers before it was passed along to several owners before landing in the hands of the state of California in the early 1950s.

Distance: 1.7 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain: 377 feet
Difficulty: Moderate

Tahoe East Shore

This 3-mile paved trail system connects Incline Village to Sand Harbor State Park. You can walk the trail or you can opt to rent a bike to explore the trail at Flume Trail Bikes located at the Northern Trailhead. With 16 vista points to pull off to capture the view, you will not be disappointed by this beautiful trail that offers some of the best views of the northeast side of Lake Tahoe.

Distance: 3 miles one way
Elevation gain: 144 feet
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

My Hiking Gear

There are plenty of amazing hiking trails in Lake Tahoe, so this is definitely not an all-inclusive list. But these are 7 of my favorite hikes in Lake Tahoe that you should put on your bucket list when you get the chance to travel here!

xx,

Ashley

Related Reading: Best Beaches in Lake Tahoe

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