Best South Lake Tahoe Bike Trails for Every Skill Level
South Lake Tahoe is home to hundreds of miles of biking trails and paths, giving riders in the area options for everything from a leisurely cruise along flatter paved trails through picturesque meadows and groves to highly technical routes that take that can take you to some of the most stunning views in the Tahoe area.
The range of local biking trails in South Lake Tahoe also means that there is a perfect trail for every skill level, whether this is your first time on a bike in a while or you regularly seek out extreme trails, these are some are these are the top favorites and great trails to try if you need inspiration for your next cycling excursion.
South Lake Tahoe Biking Trails from Easy to Impossible
These biking trails are ongoing favorites for a number of reasons. As with most places in Tahoe, the views are scenic whether you are close to the lake or up in the Sierras. Cyclists of all skill levels enjoy these rides for their fantastic views at the final destination or adrenaline-inducing challenges along the ride.
Starting from the easiest trail, the best biking trails in South Lake Tahoe are:
Pope Baldwin Bike Path - This is a 3.8 mile trail that spans from the heart of South Lake Tahoe out to Baldwin Beach and passing Pope Beach on the way. This trail gets you access to top destinations like Tahoe beaches, Camp Richardson, and the Tallac Historic Site, but the ride itself is also enjoyable with an easy path that even novice bike riders will enjoy.
Railroad Grade Loop - This 5 mile loop is a great introduction to singletrack mountain biking for those who are new to the sport. There is only about a 200 foot elevation change and a few obstacles to add a bit of a challenge to your ride.. This trail starts from the parking lot on Pioneer Trail, which is a 10 minute drive or 25 minute bike ride from South Lake Tahoe.
Powerline Trail - This single track mountain biking trail is 3.5 miles one way. It has about 300 feet of elevation gain and a few creek crossings for technical challenges. The trail starts at the end of Saddle Road, which is 5 miles away from downtown South Lake Tahoe. You can do the trail as an out and back, a point-to-point ending at High Meadow Road, or use adjoining trails such as Cold Creek Trail, Cedar Trail, or Corral Trail to make a loop.
Sidewinder Corral Ride - This intermediate to difficult ride combines the Sidewinder and Corral trails for a total of 9.2 miles with 1,400 feet of climb. It offers a few more technical challenges with bank turns and switchbacks that make for a fun ride as speed down the hill. The trailhead is 5 miles from South Lake Tahoe and you can either bike up the 3 mile paved road to reach the trail connector, or you can or you can arrange to shuttle with a second car to the top of the Armstrong Connector for a high speed 2000 foot descent.
Flume Trail - The Flume Trail is considered by many enthusiastic mountain bikers to be one of the best rides in Tahoe, largely for the phenomenal views of the lake along most sections of the trail as well as some great flowy riding. The trail is a 22 mile loop that includes steep climbs and many technical challenges, as well as sharp drops that are not for the faint of heart. The trail starts on the Nevada side of South Lake Tahoe, in Incline Village or in Spooner Lake State Park. You can also do this trail as a point-to-point by taking the popular shuttle in Incline Village to the Spooner Lake drop off and biking to the northern tip of the trail, then 2.9 miles back into Incline Village. This cuts the trail to a 13 mile ride.
Saxon Trail - Containing the classic mountain biking section Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, this is one of the most technical and thrilling trails in South Lake Tahoe. The trail starts from the Tahoe Rim Trail with a number of options for getting to the trailhead including via Armstrong Pass or Sidewinder. The five miles of one way trail descends 2,300 feet with rocky sections, a stair step section, impressive drops, banked turns, and several blind turns. Although getting to the trailhead can be relatively easy, you should not attempt this one without experience on a mountain bike.
In addition to these trails, there are hundreds of other miles of trail networks throughout South Lake Tahoe. The 170 mile Tahoe Rim Trail surrounds the lake and has many great segments around South Lake that you can bike on their own or incorporate into your other trips. This makes it possible for you to design a ride that perfectly matches your skill level and provides a new experience every time.
To embark on any of these trips, you will need a comfortable and high performance bicycle. If you do not have your own or prefer not to bring it, renting a bike from Pine Nut Cycle Cafe is a great option. We have standard bikes and e-bikes for rent at an affordable daily price and can set you up with the bike that best matches your skill level and planned trail.
As you make your plans, It is worth noting that e-bikes are not allowed on parts of the Tahoe Rim Trail, Saxon Trail, and the Railroad Grade Loop.
Pine Nut Cycle Cafe is located in South Lake Welcome with easy access to all of the area’s bike trails. Let us get you started on the next level of your mountain biking experience. Reserve your bicycle rental in South Lake Tahoe online with us today.
