Quick Guide to Tahoe Truckee Mountain Biking
The Truckee-Tahoe region has an abundance of great mountain biking trails for every endurance and ability level. Since there is such a wide selection of trails to choose from we will only highlight a few of the most popular and some of our personal favorites. Click on the links below for more details and directions.
Probably the most scenic of all Tahoe’s biking routes, the Flume Trail rewards riders with incredible lake and mountain views. Riders begin at Spooner Lake in the Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park on Tahoe’s east shore and finish 14 miles later in Incline Village. Shuttles services are available.
Just north of Truckee is the out-and-back singletrack of the Emigrant Trail. The rolling terrain is good for novice and intermediate riders, and its location makes it one of the first trails to open after winter, perfect for early-season rides.
Also with easy access from Truckee, the Sawtooth Ridge Trail offers riders great views into Squaw Valley. There climbs are relatively moderate, but a few technical sections will keep you on your toes.
Just south of downtown Tahoe City, off Granlibakken Road, is the Paige Meadows Loop. This relatively short (5.1 miles) loop is overall mellow and family-friendly. This ride is definitely more scenic than thrill-a-minute, but the meadow views are spectacular.
Also close to Tahoe City, the Antone Meadows Loop is among the easiest, and most tranquil, rides in the area. At eight and a half miles, it’s an easy climb followed by a mellow descent through grassy meadows.
For all the downhill thrills you can handle, head to the largest lift-served mountain bike park in Northern California at Northstar.
If dirt riding isn’t your thing, there are also three major paved bike trails. The five-mile Truckee River Legacy Trail runs alongside the Truckee River from downtown Truckee east to Glenshire. The Truckee River Bike Trail follows the Truckee River from Squaw Valley to Tahoe City. Running along the west side of Lake Tahoe, the West Shore Bike Path extends from Tahoe City to Meeks Bay.
Need to rent a bike? No problem. In Truckee, head to Bike Truckee or The Back Country. Near Squaw Valley, go to Factory Bike. Willard’s Sport Shop has a great selection in Tahoe City. In King’s Beach, check out Lakeshore Sports. On the Nevada side of the north shore, in Incline Village, the Village Ski Loft has a huge selection of bikes, from cruisers and road riders to full-suspension and downhillers.