North Lake Tahoe Hiking Trails
North Lake Tahoe is home to a number of accessible hiking and wildflower trails, much more than we have listed here. However, please read below for a sampling of some of the area’s best trails.
WILDFLOWER TRAILS
Donner Lake Area
Trail Length: 2 miles
Common Flowers:
Wintergreen, Purple-yellow Camas Lilies, Brown Pinedrops and Blue-yellow-white porterellas.
Vertical: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead Location: From North Lake Tahoe take Hwy 267 towards Truckee, then Hwy 80 West to Donner Lake area.
Donner Pass / Pacific Crest Trail
Trail Length: 5 miles
Common Flowers: Pink Fireweed, Pink Monkeyflowers and Orange Lilies
Vertical: Undulating between 7,000 and 7,200 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: N/A
Trailhead Location: From North Lake Tahoe take Hwy 267 to Truckee, then Hwy 80 West to the Boreal Exit. Then take the south frontage road to the end, and the trailhead is at the east end.
Mt.Rose
Trail Length: Minimal
Vertical: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: You can hike as far as the peak, 6 miles up, but the flowers are closer than that.
Trailhead Location: From North Lake Tahoe take Hwy 431 towards Reno. About a mile before the Mt.Rose summit is the trailhead.
HIKING TRAILS
Stateline Lookout
Trail Length: Very Short
Vertical: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: You can stay at the lookout or explore a small self-guided trail nearby.
Trailhead Location: From North Lake Tahoe take Hwy 28 and turn north on Reservoir Drive. Then take a right on Lakeshore Avenue and a left on Forest Service Road 1601 (near an iron pipe gate). Parking spots are located in a lot below the lookout.
Summit Lake
Trail Length: 4.5 miles
Vertical: 300 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 3 hours
Trailhead Location: From North Lake Tahoe take Hwy 89 North towards Truckee and then I-80 West and take the Castle Peak exit. Continue to the south side of the highway and east for 1/4 mile where the Pacific Crest trail head sign is (along with signs for other trails).
Notes: Summit Lake is a great hike for a family. There are many small trails that guide you around to different parts of the lake. There are campsites and spots for picnics.
Martis Peak
Trail Length: 8 miles
Vertical: 1745 feet
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Duration: 5.5 hours
Trailhead Location: From North Lake Tahoe take Hwy 267 towards Truckee. Then take a right on Martis Peak Road and park at the trailhead soon after the turn.
Notes: The lookout at the top of Martis Peak features the best views of the trail, and there is an outhouse nearby.
SKI RESORTS
Mt. Rose Summit
Trail Length: 10 miles
Vertical: 2425 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 6 hours
Trailhead Location: From North Lake Tahoe take Hwy 431 and park 1 mile south of the Mt. Rose summit.
Notes: Mt. Rose is the highest summit in Lake Tahoe with a maintained trail. The top offers great views of the lake and surrounding areas. The best time to see the wildflowers is between the middle of July and the middle of August.
Northstar-at-Tahoe
A full map of Northstar at Tahoe’s hiking trails is available on their website. Numerous trails envelop the area.
Note that many trails also cater to mountain biking, and the lifts run during the summer to service the mountain biking community. Gondola rides can help you get to certain trailheads, and leashed dogs are even allowed on the gondola.
Also see related articles on lodging options
Lake Tahoe Vacation Rentals
North Lake Tahoe Vacation Rentals
South Lake Tahoe Vacation Rentals