Hit the Trail on a Bike

Where Can I Ride my Bike on the TRT?

Mountain bikes can be ridden on just over 50% of the Tahoe Rim Trail. Below is a listing of all segments of the TRT and details on mountain biking opportunities on each segment.
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Tahoe City - Brockway Summit:
Mountain biking is permitted on this entire section of trail.

Brockway Summit - Mt. Rose / Tahoe Meadows:
Mountain biking is allowed between Brockway Summit (going east from Highway 267) and the Mt. Rose Wilderness boundary, roughly seven miles in from Brockway Summit. On the other end of the segment, at the Mt. Rose Summit trailhead on Highway 431, a short section of single track leads to a dirt road that runs roughly three miles uphill to Relay Peak and the Mount Rose Wilderness boundary. Mountain biking is NOT permitted in Mt. Rose Wilderness.

Tahoe Meadows - Spooner Summit: 
The first nine miles of the TRT from Tahoe Meadows to Tunnel Creek Road are only open to bikes on even numbered days of the month (2nd, 4th, 6th, etc...). It is in the best interest of all trail users to abide by this advisory. All other trails in and around Tahoe Meadows are closed to bikes. The trail from Tunnel Creek to Hobart Road is open to bikes without any restrictions. The remainder of this segment from Hobart Road to Spooner Summit is closed to bikes. Alternate routes to Spooner Summit for bikes are available via Hobart and North Canyon Roads.   For more information refer to your map or visit the Flume Trail website.

Spooner Summit - Kingsbury Grade:
Mountain biking is permitted on this entire section of trail.

Kingsbury Grade - Big Meadow:
Mountain biking is permitted on this entire section of trail.

Big Meadow - Echo Summit / Echo Lake:
Bikes are allowed for the first 5 miles from the Big Meadow trailhead to Meiss Meadow where the TRT joins the Pacific Crest Trail. The USFS does not allow bikes on the PCT.

Echo Summit / Echo Lake - Barker Pass:
Bikes are not allowed on this entire section because it runs through the Desolation Wilderness area and overlaps with the PCT.

Barker Pass - Tahoe City:
Bikes are not allowed on the five miles of this trail segment from Barker Pass to Twin Peaks, because the TRT overlaps with the PCT. Mountain biking is allowed from Twin Peaks to Tahoe City. (Access via the Standford Rock loop; refer to your map).

Dirt Users Hints

Max Jones, owner and operator of Spooner Lake Outdoor Company, has been a driving force in making the Tahoe Rim Trail mountain bike friendly. He is a two time National Mountain Bike Champion and is a member of the Mountain Biking Hall of Fame. Check out Max's D.U.H. (Dirt User's Hints) listed below.

  • Skidding destroys our trails. Learn to use both brakes.
  • Stay on the trail. Dead fall trees? Snow banks? Hurdle them, you're tough.
  • Stay on the trail! The center of the trail. Keep single track single track.
  • Preserve the Dirt: Stay on the trail! You are not tree skiing.
  • Yes, you do need written land agency approval to build your dream trail.
  • Join multiuse maintenance crews. Solve problems. Feel good.
  • Respect Other Users: Pass others at a socially acceptable velocity for them.
  • Ring a bell, smile, say hello.
  • Horses think you want to eat them. Act accordingly.
  • Wear a helmet. Others will have to drag your lifeless body to loved ones.
  • Ride only open trails. Remember the PCT and Wilderness areas are closed.
  • Trash? Skid trenches? Off trail tracks? Leave nothing. You were where?
Yes, cycling is a legitimate use of our backcountry Trails. Enjoy them and remember that there are responsibilities attached to this use.