8 of the best hiking and biking trails in Lake Tahoe

15.04.2024 - 10:11 / lonelyplanet.com / Lake Tahoe

In his semi-autobiographical novel, Roughing It, Mark Twain called Lake Tahoe “the fairest picture the whole earth affords.”

More than 150 years later, this still rings true. Lake Tahoe sparkles like a sapphire sun amid the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Legendary for its clarity, the surface covers 191 miles, reaching depths of up to 1645ft. The surrounding area is no less captivating with forests, white-capped peaks, lakes, streams, and meadows to explore.

Lake Tahoe’s hiking trails are the ideal place for reveling in the region’s spectacular beauty. From back-country adventures to wheelchair-accessible paths hugging the shoreline, here are our picks for the best hikes in Lake Tahoe.

Best hike for summer
1 mile out and back, 1 hour, easy 

The Angora Lakes trail is sandy and wide. It is mostly uphill, with tall trees and behemoth boulders imbuing the landscape with shades of green, dove, and brown. As you reach the top, Lower Angora Lake appears on your left. Keep going. Yes, it’s beautiful and serene but the real prize awaits at the top. Upper Angora Lake is gasp-out-loud-gorgeous with tall cliffs and dramatic stone outcroppings framing the edge. A swath of soft sand provides the perfect place to spread out blankets or chairs for a day on the beach.

From mid-June through mid-September, the century-old Angora Lakes Resort rents kayaks, SUPs, and row boats in addition to operating a restaurant with light fare such as sandwiches and freshly squeezed lemonade. Arrive early as the parking lot ($10 per vehicle) is usually full by 10am. Be sure to bring cash, cards are not accepted. 

Best hike for winter
2.4 miles out and back, 1.5 hours, moderate

Chickadee Ridge is magical year-round, but the scenery is especially alluring when the mountains are covered with snow. The path begins at the boardwalk in Tahoe Meadows where a small bridge leads over the creek and into the woods. From there, follow the signs pointing to the Tahoe Rim Trail. It’s an uphill hike, rewarding you with vistas of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada at the top. Normally, this would be the payoff, but the hike takes its name from a population of mountain chickadees who famously nibble birdseed from your proffered palm (so be sure to swing by the store beforehand). 

Tahoe Meadows is 6.5 miles from Incline Village via Mt Rose Highway. Parking is free along the side of the road. Cross-country skis or snowshoes are advisable after a fresh dumping of snow, but it won’t take long for your fellow hikers to tamp it down. On most winter days, boots or waterproof shoes suffice (and a sturdy pair of tennis shoes is fine during the rest of the year).

Best accessible hike for strollers and wheelchair users
6 miles out and back, 2 hours, easy 

The 10ft-wide