14 Best Hikes in Lake Tahoe: Top Trails for Views, Lakes & Waterfalls

Lake Tahoe is one of those rare places where you can spend the morning hiking to a waterfall, the afternoon lounging on a beach, and the evening climbing to a sunset viewpoint. With trails ranging from easy family strolls to challenging summit climbs, Tahoe is a hiker’s paradise.

To help you plan, I’ve put together the best hikes in Lake Tahoe, grouped by area and complete with distances, elevation, difficulty, parking tips, and everything else you need to know.

Follow the seven Leave No Trace principles: plan your hike in advance, stick to designated trails, carry out all your belongings, dispose of waste properly, leave natural areas untouched, minimize the impact of campfires, show consideration for fellow hikers, and avoid approaching or feeding wildlife.

Quick Look: Best Hikes in Lake Tahoe

Hike	Distance	Elevation Gain	Difficulty	Highlights	AllTrails Link
Eagle Lake & Falls	2 mi RT	450 ft	Easy	Waterfall + alpine lake	Eagle Lake on AllTrails
Cascade Falls	2 mi RT	200 ft	Easy	Waterfall + lake views	Cascade Falls Trail on AllTrails
Rubicon Trail	Up to 16.4 mi RT	2,000 ft	Moderate	Shoreline, turquoise water	Rubicon Trail on AllTrails
Mount Tallac	10.5 mi RT	3,300 ft	Strenuous	Iconic summit	Mount Tallac Trail on AllTrails
Maggie’s Peak	4 mi RT	1,700 ft	Moderate	Emerald Bay views	Maggie’s Peak on AllTrails
Fallen Leaf Lake	8 mi RT	300 ft	Easy-Moderate	Quiet alpine lake	Fallen Leaf Lake on AllTrails
Lake Aloha	12 mi RT	1,600 ft	Strenuous	Desolation Wilderness lake	Lake Aloha Trail on AllTrails
Eagle Rock	0.7 mi RT	250 ft	Easy	Sunset view	Eagle Rock Trail on AllTrails
Stateline Fire Lookout	1.7 mi RT	330 ft	Easy	Family-friendly history	Stateline Lookout Trail on AllTrails
Monkey Rock	2.6 mi RT	500 ft	Easy-Moderate	Unique rock + views	Monkey Rock Trail on AllTrails
Cave Rock	0.8 mi RT	150 ft	Easy	Quick east shore view	Cave Rock Trail on AllTrails
Castle Rock	2.7 mi RT	900 ft	Moderate	Granite outcrops	Castle Rock Loop Trail on AllTrails
Chickadee Ridge	2.5 mi RT	500 ft	Easy (snowshoe in winter)	Birds + snow views	Chickadee Ridge Trail on AllTrails
Donner Tunnels	Flexible	Minimal	Easy	Historic railroad tunnels	Donner Tunnels on AllTrails

Emerald Bay & South Lake Tahoe Hikes

1. Eagle Lake & Eagle Falls Trail

• Distance: ~2 miles RT
• Elevation Gain: ~450 ft
• Trailhead: Eagle Falls Picnic Area (Emerald Bay State Park)
• Eagle Lake on AllTrails

This is the ultimate short-and-sweet Tahoe hike. Right off the highway, you’ll see Eagle Falls cascading down the rocks, then climb switchbacks to reach Eagle Lake — a crystal alpine lake framed by granite cliffs.

Need to know: Arrive early; parking fills fast. $5 day-use fee.

2. Cascade Falls Trail

• Distance: ~2 miles RT
• Elevation Gain: ~200 ft
• Trailhead: Bayview Campground
• Cascade Falls Trail on AllTrails

Rocky but easy, this trail ends at Cascade Falls tumbling into Cascade Lake, with Tahoe visible in the distance.
Need to know: Best in early summer for strong water flow. Limited parking at Bayview.

3. Rubicon Trail

• Distance: Up to 16.4 miles RT (do shorter sections)
• Elevation Gain: ~2,000 ft
• Trailheads: D.L. Bliss State Park or Emerald Bay
• Rubicon Trail on AllTrails

This shoreline path is one of Tahoe’s most famous hikes. It hugs the cliffs, offering turquoise water views the entire way. Even hiking just a mile or two gives you the magic.
Need to know: California State Parks entry fee required.

4. Mount Tallac

• Distance: ~10.5 miles RT
• Elevation Gain: ~3,300 ft
• Trailhead: Mount Tallac Trailhead, near Fallen Leaf Lake
• Mount Tallac Trail on AllTrails

If you want a bucket-list challenge, this is it. The 9,735 ft summit offers 360° views of the Sierra and all of Lake Tahoe.
Need to know: Free wilderness permit required (self-issued at trailhead). Snow lingers into summer.

5. Maggie’s Peak

• Distance: ~4 miles RT
• Elevation Gain: ~1,500 ft
• Trailhead: Bayview Trailhead
• Maggie’s Peak on AllTrails

A steep but rewarding hike with incredible views over Emerald Bay and Tahoe. North Maggie’s Peak offers the best Emerald Bay vistas.

6. Fallen Leaf Lake Trail

• Distance: ~8 miles RT (shorter options available)
• Elevation Gain: ~300 ft
• Trailhead: Fallen Leaf Lake Campground
• Fallen Leaf Lake on AllTrails

Less crowded than Emerald Bay, this peaceful lake hike is perfect for a quieter day.
Need to know: Narrow access road and limited parking.

7. Lake Aloha (via Echo Lakes)

• Distance: ~12 miles RT
• Elevation Gain: ~1,600 ft
• Trailhead: Echo Lakes, off Highway 50
• Lake Aloha Trail on AllTrails

This backcountry hike passes multiple alpine lakes before reaching the granite-dotted Lake Aloha.
Need to know: Permit required (Desolation Wilderness). In summer, a water taxi across Echo Lakes cuts 5 miles off.

West & North Shore Hikes

8. Eagle Rock Trail

• Distance: 0.7 miles RT
• Elevation Gain: 250 ft
• Trailhead: Highway 89, between Homewood & Tahoe City
• Eagle Rock Trail on AllTrails

Short, steep, and perfect for sunset. Climb to a volcanic outcrop with panoramic views of Tahoe’s west shore.

9. Stateline Fire Lookout Trail

• Distance: 1.7 miles RT
• Elevation Gain: 330 ft
• Trailhead: Off Highway 28, Crystal Bay
• Stateline Lookout Trail on AllTrails

Paved, family-friendly trail to an old fire lookout with interpretive signs and sweeping north shore views.

10. Monkey Rock Trail

• Distance: 2.6 miles RT
• Elevation Gain: 500 ft
• Trailhead: Tunnel Creek Café, Incline Village
• Monkey Rock Trail on AllTrails

A local favorite: a monkey-shaped rock plus big lake views. Bonus — grab coffee at the café trailhead.

11. Cave Rock Trail

• Distance: 0.8 miles RT
• Elevation Gain: 150 ft
• Trailhead: Cave Rock Drive, Zephyr Cove
• Cave Rock Trail on AllTrails

A short, steep trail to a volcanic plug with incredible east shore views.
Need to know: Parking is extremely limited.

12. Castle Rock Trail

• Distance: 2.7 miles RT
• Elevation Gain: 900 ft
• Trailhead: Kingsbury Grade, Stateline NV
• Castle Rock Loop Trail on AllTrails

A moderate trail leading to granite outcroppings with wide views over South Lake Tahoe. Some scrambling required at the top.

13. Chickadee Ridge (Mount Rose Area)

• Distance: 2.5 miles RT
• Elevation Gain: 500 ft
• Trailhead: Mount Rose Highway
• Chickadee Ridge Trail on AllTrails

A magical winter hike where chickadees will land on your hand if you bring seeds.
Need to know: Best with snowshoes; microspikes may suffice in early/late winter.

Donner & Truckee Area

14. Historic Donner Pass Railroad Tunnels

• Distance: Up to 5 miles RT (flexible)
• Elevation Gain: Minimal
• Trailhead: Donner Pass Road, near Truckee
• Donner Tunnels on AllTrails

Explore graffiti-covered railroad tunnels with Sierra views peeking through.
Need to know: Bring a flashlight; tunnels are dark and dripping with water.

Hiking Tips for Lake Tahoe

• Parking fills early: Emerald Bay and Bliss lots are full by 9am in summer.
• Altitude: Trails are 6,000–10,000 ft — take it slow and hydrate.
• Permits: Required for Desolation Wilderness (Tallac, Aloha). Self-issued at trailheads.
• Best season: Late June–September for snow-free trails. Spring/fall = fewer crowds but patchy snow. Winter requires gear.
• Leave No Trace: Stay on trail, pack out trash, and respect Tahoe’s fragile alpine environment.

Where to Stay for Hiking in Lake Tahoe

• South Lake Tahoe: Great for Emerald Bay, Tallac, Rubicon.
• Tahoe City / West Shore: Close to Eagle Rock, Cascade Falls.
• Incline Village / North Shore: Access to Monkey Rock, Chickadee Ridge, Fire Lookout.
• Truckee: Convenient for Donner Tunnels and Mount Rose area hikes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hiking in Lake Tahoe

What is the best easy hike in Lake Tahoe?
Eagle Lake & Eagle Falls is one of the best short hikes. In just 2 miles round trip, you get waterfalls, alpine scenery, and a pristine lake without committing to a long day.

What is the hardest hike in Lake Tahoe?
Mount Tallac is considered the toughest day hike. At 10.5 miles and 3,300 feet of elevation gain, it’s a full-day challenge — but the summit views are unmatched.

What is the most scenic hike in Lake Tahoe?
The Rubicon Trail is famous for its shoreline views. Even a short section delivers turquoise water, granite cliffs, and constant lake panoramas.

Can you hike in Lake Tahoe year-round?
Yes, but access depends on the season. Most high-elevation trails are snow-free from late June through September. In winter, you’ll need snowshoes or spikes for trails like Chickadee Ridge and Mount Rose.

Do I need a permit to hike in Lake Tahoe?
Most day hikes don’t require permits, but any trail entering the Desolation Wilderness (like Mount Tallac or Lake Aloha) requires a free self-issued day-use permit at the trailhead. Overnight trips need a reserved wilderness permit.

Final Thoughts

Lake Tahoe has hikes for everyone — from quick 20-minute overlooks to full-day summit climbs. If you’re short on time, don’t miss Eagle Lake, Rubicon Trail, and Eagle Rock at sunset. For a big adventure, take on Mount Tallac or Lake Aloha.

No matter which you choose, hiking here will leave you with views you’ll never forget.

👉 Keep planning your trip:

• 3-Day Lake Tahoe Itinerary
• Things to Do in Emerald Bay
• Is Clear Kayaking Worth It in Tahoe?