The 5 Best Hiking Trails Around Truckee/North Lake Tahoe Region

In the Sierra Nevada, where granite meets sky and forests seem to stretch forever, hiking might be the ultimate recreation. Studies show that spending time in the mountains can lower stress levels, improve mood and even enhance cognitive function. With countless miles of trails crisscrossing the landscape, the region has become a bucket-list destination for day hikers and long-haul trekkers alike. The Best of North Lake Tahoe and Truckee honors the area’s most beloved hiking trails, each offering a distinct mix of scenery, challenge and outdoor connection.

Tahoe Rim Trail

Few trails capture the grandeur of the Sierra like the Tahoe Rim Trail. At 165 miles long, this loop circumnavigates the entire Lake Tahoe Basin, linking multiple trailheads and communities through ridgelines, alpine lakes and wildflower-filled meadows. Maintained by the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, the path is a favorite for both section hikers and those looking to tackle the full circuit over several days. The trail passes through six counties, two states and three national forests, offering terrain that ranges from steep granite climbs to gentle forested stretches. It’s not just the views that inspire — there’s also a deeply rooted stewardship ethic embedded in the experience, fostered by an active community of volunteers and conservation partners.

Donner Summit

A hike on Donner Summit is like flipping through a history book with the pages torn out and scattered across a ridgeline. Located just west of Truckee, the area features numerous trails that weave through railroad tunnels, past petroglyphs and over historic wagon routes from the Emigrant Trail. For many, the highlight is the sweeping view from atop Donner Pass, where Lake Donner sparkles below and echoes of pioneer footsteps linger in the rocky landscape. While the terrain varies from moderate walks to more technical scrambles, what stays constant is the sense of scale — of nature, of time and of tenacity. Whether you’re tracing the Pacific Crest Trail or exploring Castle Peak, there’s no shortage of stories beneath your boots.

Shirley Canyon Trail

The Shirley Canyon Trail in Olympic Valley climbs straight into the drama of high alpine wilderness. Often referred to as one of the most beautiful day hikes in the Tahoe area, this rugged route follows cascading waterfalls, granite slabs and thick stands of lodgepole pine as it climbs toward Shirley Lake. Managed in part by Palisades Tahoe, the trail ultimately connects with the upper mountain terrain of the resort, and hikers often take the aerial tram down after their ascent. Along the way, pools and smooth granite offer natural rest stops, and the terrain becomes increasingly panoramic with every switchback. It’s a favorite among locals not just for the challenge, but for the sheer immersion into raw, unfiltered Sierra Nevada terrain.

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