South Lake Tahoe is a prominent outdoor destination situated in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, characterized by its deep alpine lake, glacier-carved landscapes, and towering peaks. The region's diverse terrain, ranging from high mountain trails to lakeside paths, provides a varied environment for outdoor pursuits. This makes South Lake Tahoe suitable for several sports like hiking, touring cycling, road cycling, mountain biking, and more.
South Lake Tahoe offers a wide array of outdoor activities…
109
Routes
4.7
(60)
Average rating
1432
People visited

2
hikers
4.87km
01:17
40m
40m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
7.42km
01:54
40m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

2.34km
00:41
60m
90m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

11.4km
02:57
60m
70m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
15
riders
41.3km
04:21
1,120m
1,120m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5.0
(1)
15
riders
23.8km
02:11
370m
370m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

16
riders
121km
07:50
1,480m
1,480m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
24
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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15
riders
25.3km
01:09
250m
250m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

8
riders
43.6km
02:04
550m
550m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5
riders
85.1km
04:25
1,440m
1,440m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

74
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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10
riders
23.5km
02:28
560m
560m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

10.7km
00:37
30m
30m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
riders
11.2km
00:39
70m
70m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10.1km
00:35
50m
50m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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3.93km
00:25
20m
20m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.74km
00:31
20m
20m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
44
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
41
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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South Lake Tahoe is a premier outdoor destination offering a wide array of activities. Visitors can find routes for hiking, touring cycling, road cycling, mountain biking, and jogging. The region's diverse terrain supports adventures for all skill levels.
Popular hiking areas include Emerald Bay State Park, featuring the scenic Rubicon Trail, and Desolation Wilderness with its alpine lakes and granite peaks. Mount Tallac offers a challenging ascent with expansive views of the Tahoe basin. For more options, explore the Hiking around South Lake Tahoe guide.
Yes, South Lake Tahoe provides easy hiking trails suitable for beginners and families. Van Sickle Bi-State Park offers accessible paths with views across Lake Tahoe. The Easy hikes around South Lake Tahoe guide lists additional options.
South Lake Tahoe is a recognized mountain biking destination with trails like Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (Saxon Creek Trail) for challenging downhill. Corral Trail offers varied terrain, while sections of the Tahoe Rim Trail are open to mountain bikers. The MTB Trails around South Lake Tahoe guide provides more details.
The region offers scenic routes for both road and touring cyclists. The 72-mile (116 km) shoreline drive around Lake Tahoe is a popular choice. The South Tahoe Beach Cruise provides a family-friendly ride. Discover more in the Cycling around South Lake Tahoe guide.
South Lake Tahoe offers several family-friendly options. Bijou Bike Park features pump tracks and a skills course suitable for all ages. Easy hiking trails, such as those in Van Sickle Bi-State Park, are also available. The South Tahoe Beach Cruise is a family-friendly cycling route.
Key natural landmarks include Lake Tahoe itself, North America's largest alpine lake. Emerald Bay, a national natural landmark, is famous for its emerald water and Fannette Island. Desolation Wilderness showcases glacier-carved landscapes and alpine lakes.
Permits are required for overnight stays in certain areas of Desolation Wilderness. Day use permits may also be necessary for specific trails or during peak seasons. Visitors should check local regulations before planning their trip.
South Lake Tahoe is highly rated on komoot, with over 11,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The region's 165 routes have an average rating of 4.72 out of 5 stars. This indicates a strong community appreciation for the outdoor offerings.
Komoot offers several guides for South Lake Tahoe, including Hiking around South Lake Tahoe, Easy hikes around South Lake Tahoe, and MTB Trails around South Lake Tahoe. Guides for cycling and running are also available.
For official visitor information, the City of South Lake Tahoe's website is a primary resource. General inquiries can be directed to the Explore Tahoe Visitor Center. The phone number for the City of South Lake Tahoe is +1-530-542-6000.

