Twenty-two miles long, twelve miles wide, a third of a mile deep, the third largest alpine lake in the world.

A Mountain Jewel in the Sierra Nevada

These impressive statistics don’t come close to describing the beauty and grandeur of Lake Tahoe. Set within the Sierra Nevada mountain range and ringed with high alpine peaks, Lake Tahoe is a spectacle unlike any other. Mark Twain described Lake Tahoe as “the fairest picture the whole earth affords”. And fortunately for us cyclists, a very pleasant road rings this special gem.

A Lake Tahoe Bike Tour—Overview

Circle Lake Tahoe and the surrounding alpine landscape by bicycle on this five day tour. Travel 200 miles of beautiful vistas over six days, with several optional detours up some of the nearby mountain passes for an additional challenge. Start and finish the journey in historic Truckee, a former mining town thats now a popular base camp for outdoor adventurers. Stay at the lakes edge at a lodge with a private beach. Tackle the optional climb above the lake to Mt. Rose Summit, the highest year-round mountain pass in California. Enjoy your cycling accomplishments while resting and dining in Tahoe Vista, South Lake Tahoe, Squaw Valley, and Truckee. Visit the smaller and less discovered lakes surrounding Lake Tahoe: Spooner Lake, Fallen Leaf Lake, Donner Lake, Serene Lakes.

Day One: Truckee to Tahoe Vista [14-42 miles]

We meet at 10:00 AM in Truckee, CA, at the Best Western Truckee Tahoe Inn. The inn is an easy shuttle ride away from the Reno International Airport. On this first day, we take a warm-up ride from Truckee over Brockway Summit to Tahoe Vista at the northern end of the Lake Tahoe. Additional optional rides provide further challenges, including a route to Mt. Rose Summit at 8,911 feet. Dinner at a local Tahoe Vista restaurant, and lodging at the Red Wolf Lakeside Lodge.
Day Two: Tahoe Vista to South Lake Tahoe [30-xx miles]

Todays route takes us south along the eastern edge of the lake past Incline Village, then it begins a long but not steep climb to Sponner Summit, a historic spot on the silver mining bonanza road system of the 1800s. The road elevation gives ample opportunity to enjoy the unobstructed view of the entire lake. Spooner Summit joins Highway 50 into South Lake Tahoe, where outdoor adventures mix with the gambling casinos of Nevada. For a further optional challenge, the climb up Kingsbury Grade to Dagget Pass awaits, with views from the summit to the Carson Valley, 2,500 feet below. Dinner at the waters edge, and lodging among the pines at the Alpenrose Inn.
Day Three: Fallen Leaf Lake, Hope Valley [30-70 miles]

Taking advantage the fact that were staying an additional night in South Lake Tahoe, todays ride opportunites are all out-and-back routes. Ride a fairly easy route to Fallen Leaf Lake, one of the smaller lakes that surround Lake Tahoe. Carved by glaciers and edged by the massive Mt. Tallac, Fallen Leaf is long and peaceful. Further challenges await with a climb up and over Luther Pass to Hope Valley, with green meadows dotted with granite boulders—remnants of the last ice age. Everyone is free to choose where to dine tonight, with several inviting restaurants within a few blocks of the Alpenrose Inn.
Day Four: Emerald Bay, Squaw Valley [42-xx miles]

Today’s ride takes us along the undeveloped western side of the lake. With less traffic and fewer towns, this is the section of the route where one can truly enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe. We ride up to a vista point over Emerald Bay, a stunning inlet carved out by an ancient glacier. After drinking in the lake vistas, we continue north along the west shore to the lakes outlet and the start of the Truckee River. We follow the river until we reach the road leading to Squaw Valley, site of the 1960 Winter Olympics. Our lodging is in the heart of the Squaw Valley Village, at the Plumpjack Inn. Dinner in Squaw Valleys Olympic Village.
Day Five: Donner Lake, Serene Lakes, Truckee [40-56 miles]

We continue down the Truckee River today, then turn west to the deep blue of Donner Lake. After riding the lakes edge for its entire length, we leave Donner Lake and climb up and over the granite domes of Donner Pass on the former highway. The Interstate was built nearby several years ago, leaving the old highway for cyclists to enjoy with little traffic. Once over the pass, we continue to the aptly named Serene Lakes, two small lakes ringed by tall pines. Once weve taken in the view, we return back over Donner Pass, past the quiet side of quiet Donner Lake, then into the historic gold rush town of Truckee. Lodging for the night is in Truckee at the Cedar House Sport Hotel, with our final celebratory dinner nearby.
Day 5: Truckee Cruiser [20-33 miles]

Our final ride of the tour is a leisurely cruise of the roads in the Truckee area, taking in some view of the Martis Valley before returning to the Cedar House Sport Hotel. After some well deserved celebration of our 5-day journey, the trip comes to an end. Guests may choose to add more nights to their stay in Lake Tahoe, or they may choose to catch a regularly sheduled shuttle back to the Reno Airport.