South Lake Tahoe, California
Looking for the best hiking in South Lake Tahoe? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around South Lake Tahoe. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Hiking Spots in and near South Lake Tahoe
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Echo Lake, California
Ski Ralston Peak
5.0Ralston Peak is a classic south Lake Tahoe backcountry skiing and snowboarding area, and is excellent for hiking in the summer, too. Please note, however, that backcountry skiing and snowboarding is dangerous – make sure you know the conditions and have avalanche equipment.There are two main appr...Read more -
Echo Lake, California
Lake Aloha
4.012.34 mi / 1552 ft gainYou'll start the hike at the Echo Lakes trailhead, just off of Highway 50 in Lake Tahoe. The trail meanders past Lower and Upper Echo Lakes, slowly gaining altitude as you pass a smattering of summer cabins. The climb is enough to make you feel it, but before you know it, it's over. Once cresti...Read more -
Echo Lake, California
Explore the Alpine Lakes of Desolation Wilderness
5.0This incredible hike offers you the opportunity to visit the heart of desolation without climbing more than about 600 feet of elevation. Begin at the boat taxi at Lower Echo Lake. The taxi costs $12/person each way and is $5 each-way for your furry friend. The taxi leaves the dock at frequent int...Read more -
South Lake Tahoe, California
Hike the Rubicon Trail
5.07 mi / 400 ft gainThe Rubicon Trail is a through hike connecting D.L. Bliss State Park and Emerald Bay State Park. You can start at either point. I opted to start at D.L. Bliss State Park to avoid the long walk uphill to catch the Nifty Fifty shuttle. Also, there is more available parking at Bliss. Park your c...Read more -
South Lake Tahoe, California
Hike the Lighthouse Trail at D.L. Bliss State Park
4.82.3 mi / 505 ft gainThe Lighthouse Trail is a 2.3 mile loop located in D.L. Bliss State Park on the lower west side of world famous Lake Tahoe. To get the trail, enter the park through the main entrance ($10 parking fee), the follow the road until you see two parking areas of the left side with about 6 or 7 spots e...Read more -
South Lake Tahoe, California
D.L. Bliss State Park to Emerald Bay State Park via Rubicon Trail
7.21 mi / 1424 ft gainD.L. Bliss State Park to Emerald Bay State Park via Rubicon Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Tahoma, California.Read more -
Glenbrook, Nevada
Catch a Sunset at Cave Rock
4.70.8 mi / 127 ft gainThis short hike is just off of highway 50 and provides one of the best views of Lake Tahoe. From South Lake Tahoe, head north on Highway 50 past Zephyr cove until you see Cave Rock Drive. Take this road until it dead ends and park in the small gravel lot. After following the trail out of the park...Read more -
South Lake Tahoe, California
Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT): Big Meadow to Echo Summit
17.51 mi / 2949 ft gainTahoe Rim Trail (TRT): Big Meadow to Echo Summit is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a lake located near South Lake Tahoe, California.Read more -
South Lake Tahoe, California
Hike to Round Lake through Big Meadow
3 mi / 1197 ft gainYou will start out at the Big Meadow trailhead at the Luther Pass parking lot. It's three miles one way. Near the end of the hike just before the lake the rock formations are prime...big trees, a crystal stream. The trail is well defined and easy going even though it's an 1100 foot gain in eleva...Read more -
South Lake Tahoe, California
Hike to Freel Peak
5.07.3 mi / 2474 ft gainMt. Tallac may be one of the Lake Tahoe Basin's most famous peaks to hike because of its fantastic views of Lake Tahoe, but my personal favorite view in Tahoe is from the top of Freel Peak or Jobs Sister. Freel Peak is the tallest peak in the Lake Tahoe Basin at 10,881 feet.From the top of Freel...Read more -
Twin Bridges, California
Summit Price & Agassiz from Desolation Wilderness
5.0Mount Price (9,975') is the second highest summit in the Desolation Wilderness, standing just eight feet lower than Pyramid Peak to the south. In between these two peaks stands Mount Agassiz (9,967'), whose overhanging summit resembles a granite wave poised to crash down into the Desolation Vall...Read more -
Tahoma, California
Backpack to Crag Lake
4.011.1 mi / 1220 ft gainDay 1:This trip is a great early season trip while you are waiting for the snow to melt in the high country or it could be a good first backpacking trip because of its proximity to the trailhead and the fact that it's a relatively easy hike. Also, you get to camp by a beautiful lake with a drama...Read more -
Twin Bridges, United States
Hike Horsetail Falls
4.22.8 mi / 700 ft gainGreat views are waiting for you at the top of Horsetail Falls. Pyramid Creek flows down the steep, glacier carved granite faces of Desolation Wilderness to create this awesome waterfall that is estimated to be about 800 feet tall. You will follow Pyramid Creek up the granite rocks to the top of t...Read more -
Twin Bridges, California
Ropi Lake via Pyramid Creek
4.74.87 mi / 1581 ft gainThe trailhead to begin this hike is located at: 38.8117 N, 120.1237 W. From Hwy 50 just south of Lake Tahoe, take Hwy 50 southwest for almost 11 miles, where you'll turn into the parking lot after crossing Pyramid Creek. There is a $5 day-use fee to park in the trailhead parking lot. The hike i...Read more -
Twin Bridges, California
Hiking to Ralston Peak
4.07 mi / 2375 ft gainStarting at the lower lot it's less than a mile to access the trail. The hike starts off in shade through a lot of red fir forest and continues at a steady upward route. Approximately 45 mins into the hike you'll come across a sign that says you are entering desolation wilderness. The forest will...Read more -
Twin Bridges, California
Hike Pyramid Peak via Rocky Canyon
5.07.4 mi / 4100 ft gainPyramid Peak is the tallest peak in the Crystal Range and the Desolation Wilderness, just west of Lake Tahoe. On a clear day it can be seen from the Bay Area over 150 miles away. Named for its distinct shape, Pyramid a massive heap of glaciated granite slabs and talus, and the Rocky Canyon route ...Read more