Reno to Lake Tahoe Loop

Motorcycle Roads & Rides > Routes > United States > California
Motorcycle Roads & Rides > Routes > United States > Nevada

Average Rating - This road has been rated by 3 visitors

State: Nevada
Date Submitted: September 1, 2007
Submitted by: Ridge Rider
Motorcycle Road Length: 119 Miles

Written Directions

Start in Reno NV take US hwy 395 N into California. Take a left on to CA 70 and head west. Take a left on to CA 49 and head south. When CA 49 runs into CA 89, take a left and take CA 89 down to Truckee CA, great place for lunch. From Truckee, get on CA 267 heading south down to the King's Beach area on the N shore of Lake Tahoe. Suggest you stop and take in some Tahoe sites. Now from King's Beach, take CA 28 east (through Crystal Bay, Nevada) and then switch to NV 431 (take a left on to 431 heading northeast) and return on down the mountain. NV 431 takes you to US hwy 395 where you can take it north and back into Reno.

Scenery

From peaceful cattle grazing meadows, with no traffic in sight to steep twisty Cliffside roads climbing up to Lake Tahoe. Postcard vistas abound, if you dare look. Fortunately there are many turn offs to allow for breath catching and photo shooting. The most glorious views of mountains and valleys, and of course Lake Tahoe, which for this prairie boy was the most beautiful sight I have ever seen on two wheels. The route travels through two national forests: Tahoe National Forest and Yoiyabe National Forest.

Road Quality

The roads are great. Newly paved 2 lane with turn out lanes. Very twisty and almost all blind. Sheer cliffs on one side and rock face on the other. Hairpin turns with locals driving up and down the mountain way too fast. The grade changes dramatically and you can feel it in your ears, make sure your brakes are good before you try it.

This route starts out peacefully and tranquilly and gets more challenging as you go up and down the Mountain. This is not a beginners route. The grade is steep and the turns come at you quickly. Missing a turn long or short can result in falling off an 8000 ft cliff or meeting head on with a pick up or semi, going way too fast. Make sure your bike is up to the task. My road glide handled it well. I was getting buzzed by Beemers and sport bikes.

Roadside Amenities

Fabulous camp grounds, national forests restaurants and roadside bars all along the route. Of course Tahoo and Reno have world class atractions.

Additional Info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .

Nickname (optional) Ridge Rider

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Reviewed by Guest on August 17, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Lance
motorcycle_year: 2006
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Sport-Touring
Comment: Enjoyable ride. I liked the leg on CA 49 south to truckee, had the whole rode to myself much of the way. Also, a great lunch in Sierraville. Lake Tahoe scenery is hard to beat.
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Reviewed by Guest on September 26, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Eddy McGuire
motorcycle_year: 1998
motorcycle_make: Yamaha
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: I hear what Bruce is saying about 395. If you want to add a really nice leg to the trip, get off 395 at Red Rock and follow it all the way around. Nice twisty ride. You come back to 395 North of Halleluja Junction. Take a left on 395 and go back South to 70 West.
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Reviewed by Guest on August 14, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Bruce
motorcycle_year: 2008
motorcycle_make: BMW
motorcycle_type: Sport-Touring
Comment: Overall it's a good ride. The section between Halleluja Junction and Reno on 395 is really boring, but the rest of the ride is nice with some good sections of medium tight and sweeping turns. You spend a fair amount of time in the moutains and pine forests.
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