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Biking
BIKING (Mountain/Road)
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Novice/Easy
Emigrant Trail (Truckee)
Trailhead: Take exit 188B off I-80 and head north on Hwy 89. Trailhead is just past the Prosser Creek Bridge on the right. If you reach Hobart Mills Rd. you've gone too far.
Distance: 19 miles roundtrip to Stampede Reservoir, 2-3 hours
Details: A rolling-hill, out-and-back singletrack ride. Follows Prosser Creek then turns uphill to the left, crosses several dirt roads on its way to Stampede Reservoir. Great ride for a novice with excellent views of the Sierra landscape.
Fiberboard Freeway- Watson Lake
Trailhead:
Distance: 15 miles
Details: Partly paved, partly graded dirt road path, good for novice riders with great views of Lake Tahoe and a short side trip to Watson Lake.
Sugar Pine Point State Park/ General Creek (West Shore)
Trailhead: Take Hwy 89 south along the West Shore from Tahoe City. Sugar Pine Point State Park is on the left side of the road. Parking is limited.
Distance: 2 to 15 miles one way
Details: A short loop trail through the Z'Berg Natural Preserve, the Dolder Trail follows the lakeshore and passes the world's highest working lighthouse. For those with more time, the General Creek Trail is a 6 1/2 mile loop, offering an optional side trip to Lily Pond. Lost Lake, a beautiful alpine lake, is a full 15 miles round trip.
Intermediate/Moderate
Angora Ridge (West Shore)
Trailhead: Take Hwy 89 south along the West Shore from Tahoe City to Fallen Leaf Lake Rd. Park past the
campground on the right and start riding on Fallen Leaf Rd.
Distance: 2 or 4 miles one way
Details: This moderate ride offers views of Fallen Leaf Lake and Mt. Tallac. It's 2 miles to Angora Lookout, or 4 miles to Angora Lakes.
Brockway Summit-Tahoe Rim Trail
Trailhead: Just off the east side of Hwy 267, 0.5 nukes south of the summit on USFS RD 16N56. Limited dirt road parking, no facilities.
Distance: 18 miles
Details: Great vistas of Lake Tahoe, the Sierras and the Carson Range with some technical singletrack.. The trail starts at 7200’, with technical descents and moderately steep climb. Generally narrow and sandy, with some rocky sections and occasional scree slopes near Rose Knob. Sights include Painted Rock and Glass Mountain.
Martis Peak (Kings Beach)
Trailhead: Drive north on SR 267 from Kings Beach to Brockway Summit. Park one-half mile past the summit on Forest Service Road 18N02.
Distance: 5 miles one way
Details: This is a five-mile climb along a wide fire road that leads to the Martis Peak lookout. There is an outhouse and picnic area here. Moderate/Strenuous.
McKinney-Rubicon Springs Road (West Shore)
Trailhead: On Hwy 89 north of Tahoma, turn west onto McKinney-Rubicon Springs Road. Turn left on Bellevue, right on McKinney Road (follow sign to Miller Lake). Bear left onto McKinney-Rubicon Springs Road, continue through stop sign to the dirt road and park. A longer ride is possible by taking two cars and parking one car at Blackwood Canyon.
Distance: Varying, 6 to 15 miles one way
Details: Offers a variety of biking opportunities from loop rides to difficult peak climbs. The trails are generally wide and frequented by off-road vehicles.
Spooner to Marlette (Incline)
Trailhead: Parking is at Spooner Lake day use area in the Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park on Hwy 28 just north of the Hwy 50 junction on the East Shore. Follow signs to the Flume Trail via the North Canyon Rd.
Distance: 12 miles one way
Details: This is a rolling climb that leads into a steep ascent, then short descent to Marlette Lake. In the fall, the foliage is almost as impressive as the view of Marlette Lake itself. Follow the dirt road around the lake to reach the trailhead for the Flume Trail.
Twin Peaks (West Shore)
Trailhead: On Lake Tahoe Blvd. on the West Shore, 2 miles north of the intersection of Hwy 89 and Hwy 50.
Distance: 2 to 3 miles one way
Details: This is a short, steep climb that is perfect for riders seeking great views of Lake Tahoe, but who don't have too much time. Be cautious of off-road vehicles.
Western States Trail
Trailhead: Off of Hwy 89, approximately 11 miles south of Truckee and 5 miles north of Tahoe City. Halfway between the entrance to Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows. Look for bridge with pullouts on either side. Trail starts under the bridge and heads up east side of river.
Distance: 4 miles roundtrip, 1-2 hours
Details: A North Tahoe classic, with a relentless string of switchbacks and fork in the road options for more action and links to the Tahoe Rim Trail.
Expert/Strenuous
Blackwood Canyon (West Shore)
Trailhead: Located at the intersection of Hwy 89 and Blackwood Canyon Rd. at Skyland, about 4 miles south of Tahoe City. Free parking, restrooms and special bicycle campsites available.
Distance: The 4-mile round trip into Blackwood Canyon is a good beginner/intermediate with gentle terrain, open meadows and sweeping valley of aspen groves. Further into Blackwood Canyon, beyond the road, the trail becomes more challenging as experienced bikers can ascend Barker Pass. 2.5 miles to meadow, 7 miles to Barker Pass.
Details: Owned by the USDA Forest Service and maintained under contract by the California Land Management Company. This is a multiple use area.
Flume Trail (Incline)
Trailhead: Parking is at Spooner Lake day use area in the Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park on Hwy 28 just north of the Hwy 50 junction on the East Shore. Follow signs to the trailhead via the North Canyon Rd.
Distance: 14 miles one way
Details: There are several mountain biking trails off the Flume Trail, but if you follow the Flume Trail the whole way you will be rewarded with magnificent views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra. A shuttle bus at the northern end of the trail will take you back to Spooner Lake parking for $10.
Hole in the Ground
Trailhead: From Truckee head up I-80 west to Boreal Ridge exit. Make a right at bottom of off-ramp and park near pavement end. Pedal up the two-track and stay left of the Pacific Crest Trail, follow the primary singletrack the rest of the way.
Distance: 17 miles, 3-5 hours
Details: A challenging loop atop Donner Pass with a tough climb to start and then a descent into lower Castle Creek Valley with as many twists and turns as ups and downs. Sights include Lake Lola.
Tahoe Meadows to Marlette Lake or Spooner Lake
Trailhead: From Incline Village up Hwy 431 approximately 7 miles to Tahoe Meadow s. Park at the far, northeast end of the meadow. Maps available at Trailhead.
Distance: 20+ miles, 4-6 hours
Details: A hearty ride with great scenery, this section of the Tahoe Rim Trail starts at the northeast corner of the lake, heads to the Carson Valley and back to the Tahoe Basin. Strenuous, all-day ride with some tricky singletrack sections heading up to Marlette Peak. Connects to infamous Flume Trail if you drop into Marlette Lake once reaching the Peak.
Note: Tahoe Rim Trail from Tahoe Meadows to Tunnel Creek road is only open to bikers on even days.
Tahoe Rim Trail (Incline, Truckee)
Trailhead: Parking is at the Spooner Lake day use area in the Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park on Hwy 28 just north of the Hwy 50 junction on the East Shore. Shuttles leave the Spooner Lake day use parking area at 9:30 and 11am on even days and take you to Mt. Rose Summit. Or park in the Mt. Rose summit parking lot. There are several other TRT trailheads.
Distance: 20 miles one way
Details: The TRT is an interconnected trail that leads all around the Lake, and bikes are allowed on this picturesque trail on EVEN days of the month ONLY. The trail from Mt. Rose to Spooner Lake is a 20 mile ride with a total elevation change of 720'. There are two steep ascents, but generally just rolling hills and stunning views. At the flat above Marlette Lake, make sure to notice the view of both Marlette and Lake Tahoe.
More Info: www.tahoerimtrail.org
Stanford Rock Loop (West Shore)
Trailhead: On SR 89, just south of Ward Creek near Black Bear Tavern.
Distance: 14 miles total
Details: A single track loop with challenging climb and technical descent. Alpine forests, Stanford Rock and Ward Canyon.
Other Mountain Bike Paths include Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride (strenuous) and Genoa Peak (moderate) on the South Shore and varying bike paths at Northstar-at-Tahoe in Truckee, including the option to purchase a lift pass and get in some aggressive downhill biking.
Mountain Biking Resources
Tahoe Rim Trail Association- www.tahoerimtrail.org
Forest Service maps- 530/573-2600
BICYCLING
Tahoe City to Sugar Pine Point State Park
Mileage one way: 9
West Shore
7 miles bike path; 2 miles highway shoulder; views of the lake.
Details: Picnic areas, beaches, playgrounds, swimming.
Tahoe City to Dollar Point
Mileage one way: 2.5
Tahoe City
Details: All bike path; detours to beach, fishing, boating, playgrounds at Lake Forest. Slight uphill climb.
Tahoe City to Squaw Valley
Mileage one way: 8
Tahoe City
Details: Bike path with 1/2 mile highway shoulder riding just before the access road. Ends at the Village at Squaw Valley, with shopping, dining, recreation.
Lakeshore Drive to Ponderosa Ranch
Mileage one way: 2.5
Incline Village
Details: Paved bike path from Lakeshore Drive to Ponderosa Ranch.
Jogger's Trail
Mileage one way: 2.5
Incline Village
Details: Starts at Gateway Park off Hwy 28 and follows along the Lake Shore back up to Hwy 28 again. Views of Lakeshore estates and the water. Beaches are private for IV residents only.
Around the Lake
72 miles
Circumnavigates Lake Tahoe
Details: This challenging route is a scenic trip around Lake Tahoe. Relatively flat with the exception of a steep climb from Carnelian Bay to the top of Dollar Hill.
Cyclepaths Mountain Bike Adventures
1785 W. Lake Blvd. (2 mi South of Tahoe City "Y") -West Shore
OR 10990 Donner Pass Road, Truckee
530/ 581-1171 West Shore, 530/ 582-1890 Truckee
Detail: Full service bike shop providing rentals, sales, service, parts and accessories. Also offers guided off-road tours, day tours, expert advice and adventure camps. Rentals include BMX, suspension demos, tandems, kids’ bikes, trailers and more.
Enviro-Rents Sports
8612 N lake Blvd.
Kings Beach, CA 96143
530/ 546-2780
Detail: Mountain bike rentals, tours, lessons and service.
Tahoe Adventure Company, LLC.
All areas
530/ 913-9212
Detail: Professionally guided, fully outfitted adventure travel trips in the Lake Tahoe area. All trips offer an extensive natural and human history component customized specifically for each trip. Trips include: kayaking, biking, hiking and rock climbing options as well as multi-sport trips, whitewater kayaking, kiteboarding, team building, corporate outings and customized adventures. Winter activities include snowshoeing and cross country ski trips.
Tahoe Trips & Trails
700 River Rd.
Tahoe City, CA 96145
530/ 581-4453
Detail: Company offers guided hiking, biking and multi-sport tours, and snowshoe tours in the winter. Package trips include upscale lodging and superb meals. Excellent team building programs are also available.
Tahoe Rim Trail
948 Incline Way
Incline Village, NV
775/ 298-0012
Detail: No guided biking tours are offered here, but expert advice and thorough map/trail guidance is available. Explore Lake Tahoe from the Rim Trail’s mountain tops and ridges. Trail follows the rim of Lake Tahoe and is open for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. Group activities by permit.
West Shore Sports
5395 West Lake Blvd.
Homewood, CA 96141
530/525-9920
Detail: Bike rentals and repairs. Biking tours by special arrangements.
Other Resources
Tahoe Rim Trail Association- www.tahoerimtrail.org
Tahoe Rim Trail Biking Guidelines (http://www.tahoerimtrail.org/trailmtnbikes.htm)
Forest Service maps- 530/573-2600