With summer days in the rearview, it’s time to embrace everything Truckee Tahoe has to offer as fall arrives. Imagine days filled with crisp mountain air, trails lined with colorful foliage, and the serenity that comes with fewer people. The cooler weather invites you to breathe deeply, move freely, and reconnect with nature out on the trails.
To celebrate the change in seasons, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite Tahoe fall hikes. These trails not only offer a fun way to exercise, but an opportunity to see the landscape transforming into reds, oranges, and yellows. So, lace up your boots, grab your gear, and get out on the trails to soak up Tahoe’s fall beauty!
Donner Lake Rim Trail
Hikers and bikers welcome.
The first hike on our list is a scenic trail with a couple trailheads and access points along its path in and around Truckee – including the Trout Creek and Glacier Way trailheads. Whether you bike or hike, there will be plenty of spots for photo opportunities of the vibrant fall colors surrounding you. It’s the perfect way to get outside and take advantage of our fall weather.
The Donner Lake Rim Trail will eventually extend to 23 miles long, winding through the mountains and ridges surrounding Donner Lake – offering views of the lake below and the surrounding Sierras. Once complete, the trails will connect downtown Truckee to Donner Summit to the Pacific Crest Trail and beyond. This expanding trail is a fantastic addition to our area now and in the years to come.
Brockway Summit Trail
Hikers welcome.
One of North Lake Tahoe’s most gorgeous trails is the Brockway Summit Trail. Whether you start your hike from CA 267 destined for Martis Peak or set out to conquer the entire 20 miles, you’ll be rewarded with waterfalls, beautiful fall foliage, and truly phenomenal vistas of Lake Tahoe below.
If you want to conquer the whole trail, begin your hike at the Mount Rose Summit trailhead. You’ll start with a brief climb before a flat stretch, followed by the climb up to Relay Peak. After that you’ll be mostly losing elevation as you descend down towards Lake Tahoe and Brockway Summit. Be sure to pack lots of snacks, water, and layers!
Monkey Rock Trail
Hikers welcome.
For a shorter hike with beautiful fall scenery, add the Monkey Rock Trail to your fall adventure list. Starting in Incline Village, this 2.6-mile out-and-back trail is named after the carved granite rock shaped like a monkey’s head. But the trail offers much more than just Monkey Rock – its 500 feet of elevation gain rewards you with sweeping panoramic views of Lake Tahoe below. Keep in mind that parking at this trailhead can be a bit tough, so get there early to grab a spot. And, if you want to bring along your four-legged hiking buddy, dogs on leash are allowed.
