Recommended Articles

The Cross-Country Skiing Experience: Immersing Yourself in Winter
Without question, there are many ways in which to enjoy winter. There’s an entire snowsports industry dedicated to playing in the snow, after all. You could go downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, or sledding. Although that’s an abridged… Read More

Discussing the Goal of Becoming a Better Cross-Country Skier and Embracing Backcountry and Groomed Terrain in Pursuit of that Goal
November of 2022 marked the beginning of my ninth cross-country ski season. Now, when I talk about a season I don’t just mean skiing on the weekends. Or, only during the best possible snow conditions. I’m talking about consistently logging upwards of… Read More

Considerations for Cross-Country Skiing During the Fall and Early Winter
Whenever the first snowfall of the season hits, my excitement for the upcoming cross-country ski season usually goes through the roof. In fact, once the snow accumulates to a depth of at least 2-3 inches, I’ll often grab a set of xc… Read More

Donner Party History: Series Introduction
Lake Tahoe is a relatively small and finite location. However, it’s a nexus for so many large events and personalities. This is why I’ve been so fascinated by its history ever since moving to Tahoe in 2005. So in addition to exploring… Read More

Hiking Emerald Point (via north side of Emerald Bay in South Tahoe)
The hike to Emerald Point is an absolute dream. The trail contours the north side of picturesque Emerald Bay. It’s a relatively short hike at 5-6 miles (out-and-back). There’s only about 500 feet of total elevation gain to negotiate. Lastly, access to… Read More

Considerations and Reasons for Doing a Big Year
Take what I’m about to recommend in this article with a grain of salt. Don’t get me wrong. I totally recommend that you participate in at least one Big Year during your lifetime. Just know that this recommendation comes from someone who’s… Read More

Behind-the-Scenes Action Photos of Tom Cruise Filming Top Gun: Maverick (aka Top Gun 2) in South Lake Tahoe
One unique aspect of Tahoe’s local history is that Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains have provided the backdrop or centerpiece for countless Hollywood movies.
In fact, during December of 2018, mega-star Tom Cruise was filming a… Read More

Lake Tahoe Wildflowers: Big Yellow Wildflowers with Big Green Leaves called Woolly Mule’s Ears and Arrowleaf Balsamroot
I first met Lake Tahoe’s ubiquitous Woolly Mule’s Ears in 2006. Since that was my first summer living at Lake Tahoe, I was eager to learn about this new home of mine. So I enrolled in a basic mountaineering course at Lake… Read More

Considerations for Spring Hiking and Backpacking at Lake Tahoe
People would have you believe that Tahoe in the spring is paradise. The days are becoming longer and the sun is seems to be a little warmer. You’ve weathered fierce winter storms and now you’re ready to hit those famed Tahoe hiking trails…. Read More
Tahoe Trails Overview
Lake Tahoe, on a global scale, is considered a single location. However, we locals refer to places around Lake Tahoe as being on one of the four shores (north, south, east, or west). Believe it or not, you can spend between 3-4 hours driving around the 72-mile circumference of Lake Tahoe depending on traffic, weather, construction, and special events.
I’ve categorized all of the hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing trails as being located in one of those four cardinal categories.
Summer Tahoe Trails
Summers at Lake Tahoe are about as good as it gets. You can expect warm, sunny days and cool, clear nights. The hiking trails at Lake Tahoe are just as ideal. Along them you can travel near Lake Tahoe, across open meadows, through alpine forests, and well above treeline.
As you would expect, most trails featured on Tahoe Trail Guide are along established and maintained hiking trails. They range from short family fun hikes to all-day hikes. In some cases, you’ll find multi-day hikes (i.e. for backpacking). There are also some trails featured on the website that are less of an actual trail and more of a route. Those that fall into this latter category are suggested only for the ambitious and experienced hikers who possess land navigation skills.
No matter the geography and regardless of the classification of summer Tahoe hiking trail you choose, you’re sure to have an excellent outdoor adventure with exceptional views.
Because Lake Tahoe is essentially considered four different locations by Tahoe locals (think the four cardinal points – north, south, east, west), for easy navigation choose the location of hiking trail in your neck of the woods.
Update: Coronavirus
Please note that in the current Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic environment, traveling into the backcountry is risky. Backcountry travel has the potential to place great and unnecessary strains on emergency medical services. Thru-hikers and other backcountry travelers who happen to be carriers of COVID-19 could pass along the virus to smaller, trail towns that have limited medical services. Also note that most Lake Tahoe businesses and recreation locations are operating under modified conditions (mask wearing requirements, social distancing, take-out only restaurants…). Know before you go (i.e. search online or call) to determine whether or not your intended destination is closed or operating under alternative procedures.
Winter Tahoe Trails
Winters at Lake Tahoe are a dream. In-between long stretches of bluebird days, you’ll experience epic snowstorms that can yield multiple feet of fresh, powdery snow (like pictured here!). During a normal winter at Lake Tahoe, you can count on cross-country skiing and snowshoeing from December to April. In above average winters, you may find yourself cross-country skiing and snowshoeing well into May, or even June! Therefore, if you want to visit the Lake Tahoe backcountry during the winter (and spring) months, plan to do it on skis or snowshoes.
Because so much snow falls across the Lake Tahoe region, think of the winter trails featured here on Tahoe Trail Guide more as routes. Many of these winter “trails” do follow established hiking trails. However, when the ground is covered in snow there’s no point in strictly sticking to those trails. For winter travel at Lake Tahoe, give yourself permission to color outside the lines. That said, definitely read carefully the parking and travel directions here on Tahoe Trail Guide (they generally differ than during the summer), as well as study any and all relevant maps for the area in which you’ll be adventuring.
Lake Tahoe locals generally consider Lake Tahoe to be four different locations (think the four cardinal points – north, south, east, west), so navigate below to the location of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails in your desired location.
Tahoe Trails Overview
Lake Tahoe, on a global scale, is considered a single location. However, we locals refer to places around Lake Tahoe as being on one of the four shores (north, south, east, or west). Believe it or not, you can spend between 3-4 hours driving around the 72-mile circumference of Lake Tahoe depending on traffic, weather, construction, and special events.
So, I’ve categorized all of the hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing trails as being located in one of those four cardinal categories. See the map on the official Tahoe Trails Overview page for how I’ve defined those areas, as well as how I’ve categorized and tagged the trails featured on this site.
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Tahoe Trails
The multi-day hikes featured on Tahoe Trail Guide will generally be longer than 12 miles. Most people can cover more ground in a day, but 12 miles in one day is usually plenty for the average hiker and backpacker. Therefore, anything longer than 12 miles will be considered part of a multi-day hike.

These day hikes are between 5-12 miles long. The average hiker doesn’t usually plan to hike more than a dozen miles in one day. Depending on circumstances such as elevation gain, weather, and snow pack some of the longer family fun hikes could be considered day hikes as well. Since the Tahoe region is located in the...
“Where’s a good place to go hiking?” was the most common question Jared was asked while working for a few years at a backpacking store in South Lake Tahoe. This isn’t surprising, but it could be a challenge to answer when the person asking was standing beside their eight year old son and 80 year old mother. For...
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The Cross-Country Skiing Experience: Immersing Yourself in Winter
Without question, there are many ways in which to enjoy winter. There’s an entire snowsports industry dedicated to playing in the snow, after all. You could go downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, or sledding. Although that’s an abridged… Read More

Discussing the Goal of Becoming a Better Cross-Country Skier and Embracing Backcountry and Groomed Terrain in Pursuit of that Goal
November of 2022 marked the beginning of my ninth cross-country ski season. Now, when I talk about a season I don’t just mean skiing on the weekends. Or, only during the best possible snow conditions. I’m talking about consistently logging upwards of… Read More

Considerations for Cross-Country Skiing During the Fall and Early Winter
Whenever the first snowfall of the season hits, my excitement for the upcoming cross-country ski season usually goes through the roof. In fact, once the snow accumulates to a depth of at least 2-3 inches, I’ll often grab a set of xc… Read More
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Tahoe Trail Guide’s mission is to provide information, education, and inspiration for all people seeking to recreate outdoors
Tahoe Trail Guide is an information hub that’ll inspire and assist you when planning hikes, backpacking trips, cross-country ski tours, and snowshoe excursions at Lake Tahoe and in the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains. Unique aspects of Tahoe Trail Guide include:
• Detailed trail data for the Lake Tahoe Region
• Trip planning recommendations and tips on documenting your adventure
• Universal lessons, knowledge, and etiquette about backcountry travel
• Articles about the natural and local history of the Lake Tahoe Region
• Stories from the backcountry and tales from the trail
• Inspiring and unique imagery of the Lake Tahoe Region
Click the Tahoe Trails Overview link to see a map of how I organize the Lake Tahoe region (north, south, east, west), as well as how I’ve categorized and tagged the trails featured on Tahoe Trail Guide.
Tahoe Trail Guide launched in 2017, and was created by Tahoe local and avid outdoorsman, Jared “Schoolboy” Manninen. In addition to being an artist and author, I’m an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker (1999) and Tahoe Rim Trail thru-hiker (2014). I’m also a Wilderness First Responder (2019), PSIA Cross Country Ski Instructor (2020), Leave No Trace Trainer (2020), and CA Naturalist (2020).

Although I encourage you to venture out of your comfort zone, you need to know your limits and when to turn back. Tahoe Trail Guide and its contributors are not liable for property loss or damage, personal injury, or death. Always consult multiple sources when venturing into the backcountry. Always be prepared for the worst case scenario. Your safety is your responsibility. Tahoe Trail Guide copyright © 2016-2023 by Jared Manninen. All rights reserved. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Per the Associates Program Operating Agreement I must disclose the following statement: “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases” when you buy something via an Amazon.com advertisement.