Alpine lakes and epic trails! Ride 230 miles with breathtaking views of the stunning Lake Tahoe.
Lake Tahoe is a large alpine lake located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, straddling the border of California and Nevada. The area is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, stunning mountain scenery, and year-round outdoor recreation opportunities. Visitors can enjoy boating, swimming, and paddling on the lake, hiking and rock climbing in the surrounding mountains, and skiing at world-class resorts in the winter.
The area has a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. The best time for mountain biking is generally late spring through early fall, when the trails are dry and the weather is ideal. However, higher elevation trails may be snow-covered well into summer. Be prepared for high-altitude riding and variable conditions. Always check trail conditions, as they can change rapidly.
The Lake Tahoe area offers 230 miles of a wide variety of mountain biking trails, ranging from scenic, flowy rides to challenging, technical descents. The trails wind through the forests and mountains surrounding the lake, providing stunning views. Popular trails include the Flume Trail, known for its breathtaking lake vistas.
- Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT): An iconic 165+ mile loop around Lake Tahoe. Not all of it is open to bikes, but several sections are world-class mountain biking experiences. Popular sections include:
- Flume Trail (Nevada side): Famous for its incredible, vertigo-inducing views high above Lake Tahoe. Mostly flat but with some exposure. Often ridden as a shuttle.
- Tahoe Rim Trail: Tahoe City to Watson Lake: A challenging section with great views and technical riding.
- Tahoe Rim Trail: Armstrong Pass to Mr. Toad's Wild Ride: A classic, technical, and thrilling descent (Mr. Toad's is expert-level).
- Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (Saxon Creek Trail): A legendary, highly technical, and rocky descent for advanced/expert riders, often accessed via the TRT from Armstrong Pass or as a shuttle.
- Northstar California Resort Bike Park (Truckee, CA): A premier lift-accessed downhill park with a huge variety of trails, from beginner flow to pro-level jump lines (like Livewire and Boondocks) and technical descents.
- Tyrolean Downhill (Incline Village, NV): A popular shuttle run on the Nevada side, offering a fast and fun descent.
- Corral Trail / Sidewinder (South Lake Tahoe, CA): A network of trails featuring flowy descents, jumps, and berms, popular with intermediate to advanced riders.
