Hiking & Trails Near Donner Lake
Miles of Sierra Nevada hiking steps from the door — lakeside strolls, ridge trails, historic emigrant routes, and PCT access at Donner Summit.
- Category
- hiking
- Drive Time
- 5 min
- Distance
- 0.1 miles
- Season
- spring, summer, fall
What to Know
- ✓Donner Lake Rim Trail — a 23-mile ridgeline circuit with panoramic lake and mountain views (accessible in shorter segments)
- ✓Donner Summit Canyon Trail — historic emigrant route descending from Donner Pass toward Donner Lake's west end
- ✓Mount Judah Loop — 5-mile loop on the Sierra crest with Pacific Crest Trail access and outstanding summit views
- ✓Johnson Canyon (Wendin Way Trail) — quiet 1.2-mile canyon trail protecting the headwaters of Gregory Creek, which runs past the inn
- ✓Donner Lake shoreline trail — flat, easy walk for all abilities
- ✓Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) — directly accessible from Donner Pass and via Johnson Canyon, a few miles from the inn
- ✓Excellent mountain biking on the flume trails above Lake Tahoe (30 minutes)
The Sierra Nevada mountains surrounding Donner Lake offer outstanding hiking from late spring through fall. The area has trails for every level — from flat lakeside strolls to challenging ridge routes — and direct access to the Pacific Crest Trail at Donner Summit.
Featured trails
Donner Lake Rim Trail — A ridge trail that circles above Donner Lake with sweeping panoramic views. Hikers commonly do shorter segments rather than the full 23-mile loop. Trailheads are accessible from several points around the lake.
Donner Summit Canyon Trail — A historic route through the canyon below Donner Pass, following the path taken by 19th-century emigrants and the original transcontinental railroad. Drops from the summit area down toward the west end of Donner Lake. Combine with a stop at the Donner Summit railroad tunnels.
Mount Judah Loop — A roughly 5-mile loop trail that climbs Mount Judah (~8,243 ft) on the Sierra crest, with access to the Pacific Crest Trail. Outstanding 360-degree views from the summit ridge. Best in summer through early fall after snowmelt; trailhead is near Sugar Bowl / Donner Ski Ranch.
Johnson Canyon (Wendin Way Trail) — A quiet 1.2-mile trail with about 500 feet of elevation gain, climbing from the Donner Lake exit area up to a junction with the Donner Lake Rim Trail. The canyon protects the headwaters of Gregory Creek — the same creek that runs through the inn’s property, past the hot tub. From the rim junction, hikers can continue west toward Summit Lake, Warren Lake, and the Pacific Crest Trail, or east toward Glacier Point. Popular for hiking, running, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and wildflower viewing. Managed by Truckee Donner Land Trust. Dogs welcome under voice control; no camping or fires.
Base camp for the Pacific Crest Trail
Donner Lake Inn is a practical overnight stop for PCT thru-hikers and section hikers — the Pacific Crest Trail crosses I-80 at Donner Pass just a few miles from the inn, a common resupply and zero-day point. Hikers appreciate the self-service check-in (no front desk hours to coordinate around), the hot breakfast, the outdoor hot tub, and complimentary bike/ski storage that doubles for packs and trekking poles.
For shorter, easier walks, the Donner Lake shoreline trail starts steps from the inn.