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Tahoe Rim Trail - Brockway Summit to Tahoe City

Difficult Difficult
 4.0 (23)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …High Sierra
  4. Lake Tahoe
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“Some of the best of the Tahoe Rim Trail - or any trail for that matter! ”

Nick Wilder
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20.3

Miles

32.7

KM
Singletrack

7,853' 2,393 m

High

6,266' 1,910 m

Low

2,643' 806 m

Up

3,390' 1,033 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

17%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Need to Know

The last six miles into Tahoe City has a few spots with loose and rocky sections, which can be tricky after a long ride.

Description

A real gem in Lake Tahoe! This is an outstanding shuttle ride, or parts of it can be used for other loop rides (such as Painted Rock Loop via TRT). You could also do a nice out and back from Brockway Summit to Watson Lake and back.

From the summit, the trail is rocky in places and not for beginners. There are several major climbs and descents and a few meadow crossings that can have amazing wildflowers in the summer.

After a few ups and downs you reach Watson Lake, which has many side loop possibilities. From here, the riding is a bit easier and then you descend several hundred feet. You then have several miles of easy, level, smooth riding on what must have been a road a long time ago. Arrive at 73 Rd and follow it for 100 feet before making an easy-to-miss left turn back onto singletrack.

This next section is super fun, fast, bermed and buffed singletrack going slightly downhill. It doesn't last long enough and soon you'll find yourself beginning the long climb up to Painted Rock.

Enjoy the views before the fun really begins. You now have ALMOST 6 MILES of downhill awesomeness with some of the greatest views of any trail. Stop once in a while to soak it in and let your brakes cool!

Contacts

Local Club: Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA)

Sep 23, 2026: The Places We Ride: Why the Roadless Rule Matters to Mountain Bikers

Aug 11, 2026: More Than the Miles: Jackie’s Journey to Rose to Toads

Aug 5, 2026: A Transformational Gift is Helping Bring the Meeks Ridge Trail—and Tahoe’s Trail Future—to Life

Land Manager: USFS - Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Office

Shared By:

Nick Wilder with improvements by Bob Ward and 2 others
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 23 votes

#5

in Lake Tahoe

#1260

Overall
  4.0 from 23 votes
5 Star
61%
4 Star
13%
3 Star
9%
2 Star
4%
1 Star
13%
Trail Rankings

#5

in Lake Tahoe

#108

in California

#1,260

Overall
11 Views Last Month
22,776 Since Jun 30, 2013
Difficult Difficult
0%
0%
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33%
63%
4%
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Photos

Even after countless rides, I never get over the views here. Truly a world class MTB destination.
Jun 8, 2016 near Dollar…, CA
Tahoe Rim Trail
Jul 31, 2015 near Dollar…, CA
These views don't get old!
Jun 30, 2013 near Sunnysi…, CA
Yep, just another view...
Jun 30, 2013 near Sunnysi…, CA
The high point of this ride, and a damn fine place for a rest.
Jun 30, 2013 near Sunnysi…, CA
Careful riding along "Thunder Cliff" above the Truckee River
Jun 30, 2013 near Sunnysi…, CA

2 Comments

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Check-Ins

Sep 17, 2022
Mich Holl
Fass a
Aug 22, 2022
Dave Liu
Sep 21, 2021
Atsuko Ohtake
Jun 23, 2021
Adam Stopeck
The six miles down into tahoe city is very rocky/ loose shale. Not a great downhill at all! especially when you are tired after the previous 15 mile 20mi — 4h 30m
Jun 14, 2021
Andrius Jogelis
10mi — 12h 30m
Aug 3, 2020
Michael Bishop
Jul 28, 2020
Greg Ovalle
With Chris Holmen - epic ride !! 20.3mi
Jul 11, 2020
Brett Finkelstein

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