Granite Chief Wilderness

Lake Tahoe


Wonderful trails loop into the wild granite landscape, including a section of the 2659-mile Pacific Crest route. The area is notable for its dramatic cirques (amphitheater-like valleys), and provides great terrain for hikers, trail riders and skiers.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Lake Tahoe attractions

1. Olympic Museum

1.27 MILES

A fun retro exploration of the 1960 Olympics, featuring a film and much memorabilia. Located at High Camp.

2. Fanny Bridge

5.36 MILES

Just south of the always-jammed Hwy 89/28 traffic stoplight junction, the Truckee River flows through dam floodgates and passes beneath this bridge,…

4. Commons Beach

5.47 MILES

Commons Beach is a small, attractive park with sandy and grassy areas, picnic tables, barbecue grills, a climbing rock and playground, as well as free…

5. Watson Cabin

5.54 MILES

A few blocks east of the bridge over the Truckee River, this well-preserved 1908 settlers’ cabin made from hand-hewn logs is one of the town’s oldest…

6. Tahoe National Forest

7.5 MILES

This forest can be accessed from Truckee; it features some great hikes leading you around Donner Summit.

7. Donner Lake

9.59 MILES

West of Truckee, 3-mile-long Donner Lake is a busy recreational hub. The Donner Party camped nearby during the fateful winter of 1846. Donner Summit,…

8. North Tahoe Regional Park

10.18 MILES

North Tahoe Regional Park, at the northern end of National Ave, has hiking, biking, snowshoeing and cross-country ski trails, a disc-golf course and nice…