Sierra Nevada - Tahoe City - Truckee River Bike Trail
9 mi 
Suitable for
Touring *
Fitness *
Beginner *
Slalom *
Scene *
Directions
From Interstate 80, exit south on State Highway 89 and proceed to Tahoe City, 12 miles south. Turn right at the stoplight to stay on 89. Less than a quarter mile down, turn right at the sign marked Truckee River Recreation Trail and Public Access. A parking lot is available one-tenth of a mile into the trees. The trail passes near the north end of the lot, close to the bridge over the Truckee River.
You can also access the trail from its northern end, just south of Squaw Valley Road on Highway 89. Look for the footbridge across the river.
Map: Recreation Map of Lake Tahoe, Tom Harrison Cartography,
2 Falmouth Cove, San Rafael, CA 94901-4465; (415) 456-7940.
You can also access the trail from its northern end, just south of Squaw Valley Road on Highway 89. Look for the footbridge across the river.
Map: Recreation Map of Lake Tahoe, Tom Harrison Cartography,
2 Falmouth Cove, San Rafael, CA 94901-4465; (415) 456-7940.
Map
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Notes
The Truckee River Bike Trail is a really fun and hilly trail through beautiful mountain scenery. One of its best assets is that over the entire length, there's only one street intersection to interrupt the flow downstream. The fine pavement on this route attracts so many skaters, you'll swear they make up at least half of the trail population. In any case, on a sunny summer's day you can expect to share this trip with many other fun- and fitness-seekers, including fast-moving bicyclists and slow-moving strollers.
With so many people on the path, you really must mind your best trail manners. For safety's sake, it's important to stick to the right side of the trail (a yellow line down the middle reminds you) and announce your intention to pass when approaching others from behind. Since the pavement is no more than eight feet wide, skaters with wide-stroking speed-skating skills will need to coast to give bicyclists room to pass. Make it a point to step off the trail whenever you pause to admire the river or wait for a friend to catch up.
From the bridge at the Public Access parking lot, turn left onto the trail running beside Highway 89. Be patient as you pass an industrial area and lumberyard; soon the scenery starts to improve, and after a thick patch of riverside brush, the Truckee River finally comes into view. Skating near the mossy-green waters of the canyon, you can almost forget the noise of the traffic on Highway 89 a few feet away; the trail's lower siting, five to ten feet below the highway's, helps block the sound. The narrow intersections you cross for the next mile are merely driveways to the riverbank homes, requiring just a glance to be sure the way is clear. You might notice a gradual descent as you follow the river north; even if you don't, you'll surely feel the gradual ascent on the way back, especially if there's a head wind.
In fact, the trail's slight hilliness is what makes it so much fun. The steepest up-and-down is the hump just south of the River Ranch parking lot; when you skate such steep and narrow sections, try to wait until there's no traffic going either way. Heading north down the hill that dumps you into the River Ranch parking lot, be prepared to make a sudden stop to avoid cars entering and leaving. North of there, cross Alpine Meadows Road (see link below) and follow the newest section of trail another half mile, past a tiny riverside park, where there's a rest room and picnic tables. A new section of trail continues under Highway 89 and along a very scenic section. The trail finally crosses the river on a footbridge and ends at the highway. At the intersection, a quater mile north, you can access the Squaw Valley Trail (see link below).
If you're in no hurry to get back to your car, the most happening scene is lunch at the River Ranch Inn. An outdoor grill is set up on a riverside patio to supply burgers, smoothies, and beer to tired bodies that need to recover from exercise. No need to remove helmet or skates here; the staff is used to serving come-as-you-are patrons.
With so many people on the path, you really must mind your best trail manners. For safety's sake, it's important to stick to the right side of the trail (a yellow line down the middle reminds you) and announce your intention to pass when approaching others from behind. Since the pavement is no more than eight feet wide, skaters with wide-stroking speed-skating skills will need to coast to give bicyclists room to pass. Make it a point to step off the trail whenever you pause to admire the river or wait for a friend to catch up.
From the bridge at the Public Access parking lot, turn left onto the trail running beside Highway 89. Be patient as you pass an industrial area and lumberyard; soon the scenery starts to improve, and after a thick patch of riverside brush, the Truckee River finally comes into view. Skating near the mossy-green waters of the canyon, you can almost forget the noise of the traffic on Highway 89 a few feet away; the trail's lower siting, five to ten feet below the highway's, helps block the sound. The narrow intersections you cross for the next mile are merely driveways to the riverbank homes, requiring just a glance to be sure the way is clear. You might notice a gradual descent as you follow the river north; even if you don't, you'll surely feel the gradual ascent on the way back, especially if there's a head wind.
In fact, the trail's slight hilliness is what makes it so much fun. The steepest up-and-down is the hump just south of the River Ranch parking lot; when you skate such steep and narrow sections, try to wait until there's no traffic going either way. Heading north down the hill that dumps you into the River Ranch parking lot, be prepared to make a sudden stop to avoid cars entering and leaving. North of there, cross Alpine Meadows Road (see link below) and follow the newest section of trail another half mile, past a tiny riverside park, where there's a rest room and picnic tables. A new section of trail continues under Highway 89 and along a very scenic section. The trail finally crosses the river on a footbridge and ends at the highway. At the intersection, a quater mile north, you can access the Squaw Valley Trail (see link below).
If you're in no hurry to get back to your car, the most happening scene is lunch at the River Ranch Inn. An outdoor grill is set up on a riverside patio to supply burgers, smoothies, and beer to tired bodies that need to recover from exercise. No need to remove helmet or skates here; the staff is used to serving come-as-you-are patrons.
Nearby Tours
| Last Skated
Apr 30, 2005
|
Updated
Jul 24, 2005
|