Flume Trail and Tahoe Rim Trail

Lake Tahoe’s ledge-trail classic, shuttled from Incline.

The Marlette Flume Trail follows an old Comstock water flume along a ledge high above Lake Tahoe’s east shore, one of the most scenic rides anywhere. The classic is a 14-mile point-to-point from Spooner Lake to Incline Village with about 1,100 ft of climbing, and a shuttle gets you back to your car. Stronger riders add the Tahoe Rim Trail from Tahoe Meadows, open to bikes on even-numbered dates.

At a glance

Classic ride

14 miles, ~1,100 ft of climbing

Marlette Flume Trail

4.4 miles of ledge

Spooner Backcountry

12,000+ acres, 50 miles of trails

Tahoe Rim Trail

Bikes on even dates, Tunnel Creek–Mt. Rose Hwy

Easier option

Incline Flume, ~10 miles, little climbing

Good for

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

What’s here

• Shuttles
• Cross-country
• E-bikes allowed
• Bike rentals

Rentals, guides and shops

• Flume Trail Bikes

  The original Flume shuttle and rental shop, open since 2000, at the end of the ride in Incline. Hardtails from $55 a day, plus full-suspension and e-bikes.

• Tahoe Rim Trail Association

  Nonprofit that looks after the 165-mile Rim Trail and explains which sections allow bikes.

Where to stay

• lodgeFranciscan Lakeside Lodge

  Lakeside rooms and cottages with kitchenettes in Tahoe Vista.

  20 min drive
• cabinZephyr Cove Resort

  Lakeside cabins and lodge rooms on the Nevada shore, south of Spooner.

  15 min from Spooner
• hotelThe Incline Lodge

  Boutique hotel in Incline Village, a short ride from the Flume shop.

  5 min drive

Nearby

• Sand Harbor · 10 min drive

  Clear coves and granite boulders for a swim. Cars need a day-use reservation for 8–10 a.m. entry from mid-May through September.

• Tahoe East Shore Trail · At the Flume shop

  Paved 3-mile path from Incline to Sand Harbor. Flume Trail Bikes rents path bikes.

• Tunnel Creek Cafe · At the Flume shop

  Café beside the Flume Trail Bikes lot, right where the ride ends.

• Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival · 10 min drive

  Summer theater on the beach stage at Sand Harbor.

Getting there

• Reno-Tahoe International (RNO) · about 45 min drive
• Sacramento · about 2.25 hr
• San Francisco · about 4 hr

Directions in Google Maps