Truckee, California
Looking for the best hiking in Truckee? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Truckee. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Hiking Spots in and near Truckee
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Truckee, California
China Cove Loop at Donner Lake
4.63.11 miThis is a casual hike in an area with a ton of history. Stop by the museum before or after your hike to learn about the Donner Party, the Transcontinental Railroad, and local Native Americans Park at the Donner Lake and Memorial State Park Visitor Center and walk west towards the lake. Cross the...Read more -
Truckee, California
Mt. Judah Loop Trail
5.05.5 mi / 1700 ft gainA wonderful hike in Lake Tahoe is the Mt. Judah Loop Trail that offers sweeping views of Donner Lake and the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains on the North Shore. As a resident on the North Shore, many of my recreational activities favor this side of the Lake but there are marvelous hikes in ...Read more -
39.333252,-120.289482
Donner Lake Rim Trail: Johnson Canyon to Trout Creek
A perfect Sunday hike on your way back from a weekend at Lake Tahoe. Exit I-80 at Donner Lake and take the dirt road on the north side of I-80 to a large parking lot. A mild climb followed by a set of tougher switchbacks leads you to great views from Donner Ridge. Although adventuring out on t...Read more -
Truckee, California
Hike the Truckee Tunnels
5.0To get here, drive along Donner Pass Rd. There is a turnoff about 100 yards away from the Donner Summit Bridge where you can park. The hike begins at a plaque for the China Wall- a large retaining wall built by Chinese railroad workers. Hike up the trail towards the tunnels. Some spots may requi...Read more -
Soda Springs, California
Hike to the Peter Benson Hut
5.011.6 mi / 1800 ft gainDrive to the top of Donner Summit via the Old Hwy 40 and park at the Donner Summit PCT trailhead, just past the Sugar Bowl Academy Building. Begin hiking up-hill through a somewhat forested area for about 2 miles. Shortly after you pass the trail sign for the Mt. Judah Loop, you will come to a sm...Read more -
Soda Springs, California
Summit Castle Peak
4.06 mi / 1800 ft gainThe trailhead is very easy to access as it is just off Highway 80 at the Boreal Mountain exit. When taking the exit, take a turn to the North, rather than to Boreal on the South side of the Highway. On busy summer weekends this trailhead can get quite crowded so you may have to park at the bottom...Read more -
Soda Springs, California
Hike to the Top of Andesite Peak
5 mi / 1000 ft gainFrom the trail map sign, follow the dirt path straight, following signs for the cross-country skiing route, not snowmobiling. Continue until you see a trail marker. You'll veer left to head over to the Hole in the Ground trail. Once you see another identical trail map board, you'll head left. Thi...Read more -
Olympic Valley, California
Hike the Shirley Canyon Cascades Trail
3.6 mi / 2109 ft gainThis trail has lots of elevation over a short distance, be warned! The Shirley Canyon Cascades Trail is close to Olympic Valley in the North Lake Tahoe region. Dogs are allowed on this trail if kept on leash.Read more -
Olympic Valley, California
Hike the Thunder Mountain Trail
5.03.2 mi / 2000 ft gainThe Thunder Mountain Trail is the perfect hike to explore the Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. Squaw may be famed for its mountain ski runs in the winter, but when the snow melts in the summer, beautiful alpine meadows line the mountain and the ski runs turn into hiking trails! The Thunder Mountain T...Read more -
Tahoe City, California
Purple Trail and Burton Creek Loop
3.76 mi / 492 ft gainBurton Creek State Park is a moderate hike. It is a secluded peaceful hike that offers amazing views of the lake. This is a popular spot for mountain bikers, but is also ideal for hiking. Much of the trail is through the forest and there are many maps and signs pointing out the trails. The hike ...Read more -
Truckee, California
The Five Lakes Hike
4.0The Five Lakes Trail is located in the Granite Chief Wilderness in between Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley ski resorts and is easily accessible at the intersection of Alpine Meadows and Deer Park roads. The 5-mile moderate trail ascends approximately 900-1000 ft. along granite canyons and pine f...Read more -
Incline Village, Nevada
Quick Hike and Photo Op at Stateline
5.02 miThis quick 2-mile RT hike takes you to a lookout point above the Stateline of California and Nevada. The road to the lookout is paved so beginners can make the trek to the top in the summer; winter covers the road with snow, so snowshoes or boots are recommended. The lookout offers spectacular vi...Read more -
Incline Village, Nevada
Walk to the Historic Stateline Fire Lookout site
5.01.8 mi / 340 ft gainThe hike up to the Historic Stateline Fire Lookout above Lake Tahoe's Crystal Bay area is somewhat of a misnomer, as the fire lookout no longer exists. Instead, the path, which follows a paved forest road, up to the site where the tower once stood will bring hikers to a panoramic viewpoint that l...Read more -
Olympic Valley, California
Hike to Lake Estelle and Five Lakes
6 mi / 1000 ft gainThis hike starts at Alpine Meadows Base Camp and finishes on Alpine Meadows Road. The end point is less than a half mile from the base, and an easy walk up a slight hill. Park at base camp and head on the trail to the far right of all of the lifts. Proceed up the trail for half a mile (this is th...Read more -
Tahoe City, California
Ride Twin Peaks in Lake Tahoe's Backcountry
This trip is best done in two days with an approach day and then a descent day. Get started at the base of the Sherwood Chair on the backside of the Alpine ski area. Head up, outside of the ski area boundary toward the high ridge.Once on the ridge, you follow it south for a few miles until reachi...Read more -
Truckee, California
Swim at Long Lake near Truckee
3.71.5 mi / 100 ft gainThe story goes that twenty or so years ago, long before the advent of the Royal Gorge Cross-Country Ski Area, some local Truckee boys decided to put a couple rope swings up on Long Lake near Soda Springs, CA, and they remain there to this day.Long Lake sits amongst a cluster of both man-made and ...Read more