DLRT: Tahoe Donner Loop

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Allowed

Features Flow · Views

This route is a local and visitors' favorite, offering a pleasant singletrack and fire road climb through Tahoe Donner trails before a 5+ mile downhill along the Northwoods section of the Donner Lake Rim Trail. This downhill is full of fast flow and great views, ending at a main residential road in Tahoe Donner, allowing for an easy ride back to the car.

Class 1 e-bikes are allowed on Tahoe Donner trails and on the Donner Lake Rim Trail. Class 2 and 3 e-bikes are prohibited.

Begin at the Alder Creek Adventure Center, riding up towards Hawks Peak via mixed singletrack and fire road. The relatively mellow climb among tall pines and interspersed meadows ends with big views from the top of the ridge. From there, a traverse along the ridgeline leads to the cross-country ski warming hut. This is a nice place to rest in the shade and admire the view.

From here is where the rewarding descent begins. Ride down Donner Lake Rim singletrack with panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains. This downhill lasts a long time, well over 5 miles, making it one of the longest such rides in the region. The trail dumps out on Northwoods Boulevard, a wide road that makes an easy pedal back to the car, with optional bonus singletrack on Nature Loop North and Alder Creek Trail along the way.