Trail difficulty
Green
Elevation Gain
300.00 ft (91.44 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
5.50 mi (8.85 km)
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Lake Tahoe's East Shore Trail is a wide paved walking and cycling path running between Incline Village and Sand Harbor State Park. Opened in 2019, the path lies completely separate from the road, sometimes hovering well above it on the mountainside, and other times running parallel to it on a bridge platform that looks down upon the lake's emerald eastern shore.

Spanning 2.75 miles point to point, the East Shore Trail is another step along the way of eventually constructing off-street mixed-use trails circling Tahoe's entire perimeter. ADA accessible and popular among walkers, runners, cyclists, and pet owners, the trail has made access to some of Tahoe's hard-to-reach beaches easier for those willing to put in a bit of an effort to reach them. Hidden Beach, Memorial Point, and Sand Harbor all lie along the path, with bike racks, bathrooms, and signage set beside paths to overlook points or down to the water. Additionally, there are several bicycle tool kiosks along the route.

The path is a popular destination, and bicyclists may find the route slow going during popular times. But those looking for a scenic cycling or walking route or an access point to some of the Tahoe's rugged and scenic eastern beaches may want to pay this trail a visit. There are also numerous bike racks and a footpath into Sand Harbor at the trail's end. Note that there is a pedestrian entrance fee of $2 per person at Sand Harbor.

There is paid parking at the trailhead, but it fills up quickly during the busy times. Visitors may need to look for off-street parking in the vicinity or access the trails via Incline Village's bicycle paths. Drinks and food are available at Tunnel Creek Cafe near the trailhead.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

None

Open Year-round

Yes

Pros

Beautiful. Access to beaches that cars can't reach.

Cons

Can get crowded.

Pets allowed

Allowed with Restrictions

Trailhead Elevation

6,415.00 ft (1,955.29 m)

Highest point

6,460.00 ft (1,969.01 m)

Features

Family friendly
Near lake or river
Flushing toilets
Big vistas
Potable water
Vault toilet

Typically multi-day

No

Suitable for

Hiking

Route Characteristics

Trail

Location

Comments

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