Lake Tahoe Road Bike Ride - Cathedral Road

General Information: This short but scenic road ride is perfect for beginners or a families with pre-teen children. It meanders gently uphill along a paved road through aspen and fir trees and along a fine meadow with stunning views of Mount Tallac. At an elevation gain of just under 300' the ride back to the car is fun and fast.

Where To Start: This ride is located along Highway 89 on the the South Shore, just a few miles north of "The Y". Driving north on Highway 89 towards Emerald Bay, you will pass the Visitors' Center on the right and then go over the Taylor Creek bridge. Turn left into the

Click here for a road map and profile

Sno-Park parking lot just past the bridge. Park in the Sno-Park lot (no pass needed June - October).

Trail Description: The ride follows the paved road that heads away from Highway 89. It has a few steep sections, but they are short and can be walked if needed. The road is fairly smooth, has little traffic, and presents many fine opportunities for scenic photos. If you make it to the end of the road, you will eventually pass some summer homes along Fallen Leaf Lake and be rewarded with some nice lake views. Be watchful for potholes on the swift ride back to your car.

This ride can be easily combined with the South Shore Bike Trail to make an easy 10 - 12 mile ride. Be careful crossing Highway 89 as it is often very busy with cars traveling too fast.

You can also add some hiking by locking you bikes up on the way back down about 0.3 miles from the parking area where you will see a trail begin off to the right which follows the north shore of Taylor Creek. This trail is flat, very scenic and evetually comes to the dam at the mouth of Fallen Leaf Lake with wonderful views across the Lake.

Advisory: The property owners at the end of Cathedral Road can be very protective of their property rights as evidenced by the numerous signs stating "Not a Public Trail", "No Lake Access", etc. Please respect their privacy.

NOTICE: While the information on this site is thought to be accurate and reliable, it is offered only as a guide and cannot replace sound personal judgement.