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The full trail is an 8.2 mile trail right along the shore of Lake Tahoe running from DL Bliss State Park to Emerald Bay, although we are going to do about 5 miles of this to Vikingsholm and then back. This is a particularly beautiful stretch of the lake, as the deep waters give it a crystal blue contrasting with massive cliffs and lush forest. Emerald Bay and Fannette Island is one of the iconic Tahoe views.
It’s also a very popular trail - the most popular trail in the region. You will need to arrive early (by 8:30 is best) to get parking at DL Bliss State Park, and commit to enjoying this with other people.
Being an out-and-back, this trail is fairly long, and even though it follows the lake, there is a fair bit of up and down. A short detour at the end brings you to scenic Lower Eagle Falls.
Author’s recommendation
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Tips and suggestions
There are restrooms and a visitor's center at Vikingsholm. Drinking water is available during the summer.
Roadbook
- Arrive and park at DL Bliss State Park.
- Start from Calawee Cove on the signed trail heading south along the lake. The trail is mostly single-track and starts uphill right away, but always in short stretches, never too strenuous.
- Pass the Lighthouse trail junction, which leads uphill to a lighthouse built in 1919 and keep going along the lake, wrapping around Rubicon point along a stunning stretch of trail precariously carved into the side of a granite outcrop. There is a chain to hold onto.
- Still heading uphill, you’ll pass the 2nd junction with the Lighthouse trail as you come out of the woods and reach fabulous viewpoints of the lake.
- Now a nice downhill stretch and then you have a good long flat trail through thin forest. There are a number of short steep trails down to the water that you can explore as you see fit. You’ll reach a small cove with good access and a nicswimming area just before Emerald Point, a great place to stop, swim or picnic.
- Continue on as the trail curves right into Emerald Bay State Park, home of the Scandanavian-inspired Vikingsholm castle. You’ll pass an extensive boater’s campground, as the trail continues along the shore. Beautiful views of Fannette Island, Tahoe’s only island, where the remains of an old stone structure, the Teahouse, can be seen. This was built in 1928-29, and was used to serve the guests at Vikingsholm from time to time, but now only the stone structure and fireplace remain.
- The Rubicon Trail continues to Vikingsholm castle, a 38 room castle built in 1929 as a private home, inspired by Norwegian architecture. The details are quite intricate and beautiful and everything from the etchings to the furnishings was recreated with exacting care. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and rightfully considered one of the best models of Scandinavian architecture in North America. You can book a tour here.
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Eagle Falls: If you’d like a short detour, Eagle Falls is a beautiful viewpoint just above Vikingsholm. Follow the trail up to the highway and across onto the signed trail. It is uphill, moderately at first, and then up a long series of stone stairs. Don’t stop at the first bridge - there is a sign pointing you up to the right another .2 miles to a viewpoint, and you can make a loop trail here back down to the trailhead. The whole loop from the trailhead is only about half a mile.
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Return the way you came.
Upper Eagle Falls
Public transport
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Directions
DL Bliss state park on Hwy 89 between Emerald Bay and Rubicon Bay.Parking
Parking is $10. There are 3 parking lots, include down by Calawee Cove at the trailhead. Parking fills by mid-morning, so come early. If you can’t park here, you can try parking at Vikingsholm and doing this hike in reverseCoordinates
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions