For 10 miles, from Fanny Bridge in Tahoe City to the southern edge of Sugar Pine Point State Park, the West Shore bike trail allows you to leave the car at home, while avoiding the crowds and construction delays, and enjoying an easy ride in the fresh air along the lakeshore.
The trail begins at the 64 Acres park, where rafters launch onto the Truckee River and the Tahoe City Transit Center is located. It’s the junction of the West Shore, Tahoe City and Truckee River bike trails, as well as the lowest point on the Tahoe Rim Trail. Your route winds through the park, then following Highway 89 south, takes a gentle climb past the Tahoe Tree Company and Tahoe House (coffee?) before reaching the first of way too many crossings of Highway 89, about 2 miles south of town.
Soon after, you reach a quick descent that takes you to the William Kent public beach, which has restrooms and water. Next door is Sunnyside Resort, which invites you to take a break and enjoy a drink or some fried zucchini on the deck.
Next up, roll past a row of lakefront estates before crossing Hwy. 89 again and entering tiny Kilner Park (tennis, water and bathrooms). A bit further brings you to a crossing of Ward Creek.
Riding a mountain bike? Just past the creek, take an easy ride on the short network of trails in the Ward Creek State Park, which will bring you along the creek and on a boardwalk through a wildflower-filled meadow. Back on the trail, you reach another road crossing at Timberland Drive, and soon the lake is just a few feet away in Hurricane Bay, a great spot to stop and take a swim.
At the southern end of Hurricane Bay, you find tiny Kaspian Park, with picnic benches and restrooms. Across the highway lies Barker Pass Road, a lightly used, 7-mile road biker’s dream. If you like to climb, it will bring you through aspen meadows to the top of Blackwood Canyon. Back on the bike trail, on your right, a short hike to the top of Eagle Rock beckons, while the trail continues and crosses Blackwood Creek and shortly thereafter, another trek across Highway 89 at Fleur Du Lac (now a luxury development, but formerly the location where the movie “Godfather Two” was filmed).
Soon, you are treated to more views of the lake before you must join the road for the long straightaway into Homewood. Careful, the shoulder is narrow and traffic can be heavy. This section is set to get a more extensive bike lane by this fall, which will be a great improvement.
Just past Homewood Ski Area, turn right at the Tahoe Maritime Museum (boating exhibits), then find your route heading off to the left. When the trail reaches Tahoe Ski Bowl Way, take a left and quickly join the trail on the right, which in short order moves away from the highway onto McKinney Road. Getting thirsty? Your next stop could be the Chamber’s Landing bar at the end of the Chamberland’s beach pier.
Finally, the trail runs through Tahoma (PDQ Market has groceries and sandwiches) and into Sugar Pine Point State Park. Just past the main park entrance, a trail crosses your path. It leads over the highway to the Ehrman Mansion and the lakeshore. On the main trail, you bridge General Creek, then make your last crossing of Highway 89, and in a half mile reach the end of the trail. If you so desire, another half mile of on-road riding brings you to the lovely sandy beach at Meeks Bay, and a trailhead to Desolation Wilderness.
Enjoy the sights
Beaches at William Kent, Kaspian, Sugar Pine Point & Meeks Bay
Short hike to top of Eagle Rock
Visit Tahoe Maritime Museum
Tour historic grounds at Sugar Pine Point State Park
