North Lake Tahoe Is a Cycling Paradise

The outdoor activities that bring you joy might also inspire your list of dream travel destinations. For cycling enthusiasts, North Lake Tahoe is top tier with its hundreds of miles of bikeable paths and trails, wide-open spaces, and terrain for all experience levels. To learn about all the biking opportunities available in the region—and there are a lot—we talked to Kirstin Guinn, marketing director at the North Tahoe Community Alliance. Here’s what she had to say.

Outside: What makes North Lake Tahoe such a great destination for cycling enthusiasts?

Kirstin Guinn: There are hundreds of trails, parks, and paved paths for all skill levels in North Lake Tahoe—making it the perfect place to have a personalized cycling experience. North Lake Tahoe is home to Incline Village, which was named the Mountain Biking Capital of Nevada and is one of the top mountain biking destinations in the United States. Plus, there are dozens of convenient places to rent gear or book guided tours.

At Northstar California Resort, visitors can ride the lift with their bikes to explore singletrack with gorgeous views. There’s lift-serviced terrain for everyone from beginner to expert level. You’ll find cross-country tracks, technical downhills, and world-class destination rides. The biking options are just one reason to plan a trip to the region. North Lake Tahoe’s restaurants, beaches, bars, shopping, and other outdoor activities round out any vacation with plenty of options for post-ride and recovery days.

Mountain biking isn’t the only draw. There are also plenty of places to adventure via road or e-bike. If you feel like cruising, North Lake Tahoe has miles of paved bike paths along the lake and into the forest, with restaurants, beaches, bars, shopping, and scenic views along the way. 

What are the best resources for planning a biking trip to North Lake Tahoe? 

Booking a tour with a professional guide is a great way to familiarize yourself with the region. Check out guide services like Tahoe Adventure Company for customized tours. Olympic Bike Shop in Tahoe City offers bike demos, bike repairs, and trail maps. Before you arrive, get familiar with North Lake Tahoe’s parking, safety information, resources, and snack stops. For trail maps right on your phone, Trailforks is a great tool to reference before and throughout your visit.

What trails or routes do you recommend for first-time visitors?

Biking the paved paths along the shore of Lake Tahoe is a great way to see the area for the first time. Both the East Shore and West Shore have dedicated bike routes. There are also paved bike paths in Tahoe City, Incline Village, and Kings Beach, making two wheels the perfect way to explore town. 

For experienced mountain bikers seeking the ultimate Tahoe singletrack, the Flume Trail is a must-ride. There are also plenty of flow trails for those just getting comfortable on mountain bikes.

After a day of biking, where are the best places to refuel and relax?

For a great post-ride activity, check out some of the stops along the Ale Trail. All of the restaurants and breweries featured on the Ale Trail are close to popular biking, hiking, and kayaking areas. Many establishments, like Jason’s Beachside Grill, have great lake views, and others, like PlumpJack Cafe, have top-notch mountain views. 

How can visitors minimize their footprint while visiting North Lake Tahoe so it stays beautiful for generations to come?

North Lake Tahoe has a series of sustainable tenets as part of its Traveler Responsibility Pledge. Here are some helpful sustainable tips for cyclists: 

• Stay on designated bike paths and trails. 
• Pack out what you packed in. 
• Bring your own reusable water bottle and fill up at one of the many Tahoe Tap spots around the area.
• Use the restroom before you arrive at the trailhead. 
• Be bear (and other wildlife) aware. In fall, it’s common to see foraging bears on the bike trails—keep your distance, and do not make food available to wildlife. 
• Take TART—Tahoe’s free regional transit system. These buses help mitigate traffic in the area and reduce your personal carbon footprint. TART allows for up to three bikes per bus and is an easy way to access many trailheads. 
• Read our Know Before You Go Guide. It has important information like how to sign up for local and state text alerts should there be an emergency like a wildfire. 

Rent bikes and gear locally. Bike rentals are available throughout North Lake Tahoe.

North Lake Tahoe spans two states (California and Nevada) and boasts two dozen beaches, 11 downhill ski resorts, 10 cross-country ski areas, hundreds of miles of biking and hiking trails, and communities filled with local artisans and shopping experiences. North Lake Tahoe is a 45-minute drive from Reno-Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport, and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport. Visitor information centers are located at 100 North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City and 969 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village. For more information, visit gotahoenorth.com.