ActivitiesHikingVikingsholm Trailhead

Vikingsholm Trailhead

West Shore, hiking, easy

Switchback trail down to Vikingsholm, a 38-room Scandinavian-style castle on Emerald Bay's shore. One of the most unique destinations at Tahoe.

In short: Vikingsholm Trailhead is an easy hike on Lake Tahoe's West Shore: 2 mi round trip, 320 ft of elevation gain, a high point of 6,490 ft. The season is May – Oct, no permit is needed, dogs are not allowed.

Distance, round trip
2 mi
Elevation gain
320 ft
High point
6,490 ft
Difficulty
Easy

Where it is

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Trail details

  • Vikingsholm Scandinavian castle
  • Emerald Bay beach
  • Tea house island viewpoint
Trail
Vikingsholm Trail
Season
May – Oct
Permit
None needed
Parking
CA State Parks fee, $10, Very limited
Dogs
Not allowed

Go with a guide. Walk the basin with a local guide, on a trail matched to your group and the season.

Guided hike

Conditions today

Right now
72°F, Sunny
Today
High 72°, low 48°
Wind
8 mph
Campfires
Metal rings only
  • TomorrowPartly Cloudy, 10% chance of rain68° 45°
  • ThuMostly Clear, 5% chance of rain74° 50°
  • FriPM Storms, 75% chance of rain61° 44°

Know before you go

Permits
Desolation Wilderness needs a permit for both day hikes and overnight trips. Most other trails in the basin need none.
Parking
Lots at Eagle Falls, D.L. Bliss and other popular trailheads fill by 9am on summer weekends. Start early or go midweek.
Altitude
Trailheads start around 6,300 feet and the highest summits top 10,000. Carry more water than you would at sea level and take the first day easy.
Weather
Summer afternoons can bring thunderstorms. Plan to be off exposed ridges and summits by early afternoon.

Read the hiking guide

More hiking within 5 miles

Nearest campgrounds

See its pin on the mapAll hiking placesMore on vikingsholm.org (opens in a new tab)