
So if you’re looking for the best winter hikes in Lake Tahoe, this is undoubtedly one. Vikingsholm castle looks magical in the winter when the building and the surrounding trees are covered by snow. Coming back up is a little steep, but at a 1.7-mile (2.7 kilometers) round trip, it is accessible for most people. Once you arrive there, you’ll witness incredible views of Emerald Bay. The Vikingsholm trailhead is located at the observation area above Emerald Bay. You can reach the photogenic fortress on a downhill trail. You might see it from your boat when sailing around the lake, but you can get up close to it via the hiking trail. Vikingsholm Castle is an abandoned but enchanting 38-room mansion in a hidden spot by Emerald Bay. Vikingsholm TrailĪ castle is probably not something you would expect to find in Lake Tahoe, yet if you follow the short and easy Vikingsholm Trail, this is what you’ll find. You’ll find the Cascade Falls trailhead at Bayview Campground opposite the Inspiration Point parking lot in Emerald Bay. The 1.4-mile (2.3 kilometers) has minimal elevation, and the track is hugely scenic in a remote and untouched spot.Īlong this hike, you’ll also enjoy magnificent perspectives of Cascade Lake with Lake Tahoe in the background. The Cascade Falls hike is shorter and more manageable than Eagle Falls too. The Eagle Falls trailhead is located close to Emerald Bay State Park Lookout.Īs Echo Falls is one of the most popular parts of Lake Tahoe, you may want to take the quieter hike to Cascade Falls to avoid the crowds. Some parts of the lake are shallow enough for swimming, making it one of the best summer hikes in Lake Tahoe. There is a steady incline for most of the trail, with a total elevation of 400 feet (122 meters).Įagle Lake is extremely picturesque as it has a mirror-like effect reflecting the surrounding mountains in the crystal clear water. The Eagle Falls to Eagle Lake trail in South Lake Tahoe is a popular short 2.5-mile (4 kilometers) route that takes you from the refreshing falls to the serene lake. However, the glacier that shaped this mountain lake, as it moved through Glen Alpine Valley, stopped on its course, making Fallen Leaf Lake a separate body of water.Final Thoughts On Hikes in Lake Tahoe Eagle Falls & Eagle Lake Trail The oval-shaped Fallen Leaf Lake could have been a bay of Lake Tahoe, similar to Emerald Bay. There are 205 sites to chose from, all situated in a lovely wooded setting. The campground is only 3/4s of a mile from the south shore of Lake Tahoe. The marina is on the south shore.įallen Leaf Lake camping on the north shore of the lake offers great amenities, with swimming, kayaking and picnicking all within two miles of some fabulous beaches. You’ll also find pontoon boats and kayaks make for a great day out on the water. You can even hike from Lake Tahoe to Fallen Leaf Lake on a 10-mile easy trail from Tahoe Mountain.įallen Leaf Lake fishing may not be tremendously productive, but you will find brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout in the lake as well as mackinaw and lake trout and Kokanee salmon.ĭespite the gusty winds and very cold water making capsizing unpopular, sailing is the favorite pastime on the lake. Many trails will take you to the north shore, and these are popular in the autumn when the aspen groves turn color. Some trails make their way to Cathedral Peak, others to Mount Tallac. The lake is accessible the year round, but the best time to come is from spring through autumn.Ĭlose to Fallen Leaf Lake you will discover trailheads taking you into the wilderness surrounding.

The lake lies close to the California/Nevada border. Simply take California Highway 89 north to Fallen Leaf Road. Only a short drive from Lake Tahoe, it’s a great place to get away from it all and enjoy tons of outdoor recreation, like boating, fishing and camping.įallen Leaf Lake California is easily reached from Lake Tahoe. Fallen Leaf Lake CA is a miniature version of Lake Tahoe, with the same crystal waters and natural beauty, but with fewer crowds.
