Vikingsholm Trail

Hiking the Vikingholm Trail at Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe is a Must Do Summer Activity!

Photo: Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe - At the start of the Vikingsholm Trail
Photo Credit: Leigh Storz

The video below shows the hike down the Vikingsholm Trail, around the beach, pictures of the Vikingsholm Castle, and then pictures of the long trek, back up the mile path!

YouTube Video by: Leigh Storz
Photo Credit: Leigh Storz

Fannette Island at Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe
Photo Credit: Leigh Storz

Heading Down Vikingsholm Trail towards the beach at Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe
Photo Credit: Leigh Storz, Owner of Truckee-Travel-Guide.com

The Vikingsholm Trail takes you from the Vikingsholm Parking Lot off of Hwy 89 at Emerald Bay. The trail is a very steep, but well defined 1 mile trail that leads from the parking lot down to the beach. The way down is a nice hike, but the way back up can be difficult! There are resting places along the way to stop for a break, or to take pictures. The scenery along the way is gorgeous, with views of Emerald Bay, Fannette Island, and the surrounding mountains. The elevation is at 6,300 feet!

M.S. Dixie cruising around Fannette Island at Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe
Photo Credit: Leigh Storz

Vikingsholm Castle at Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe
Photo Credit: Leigh Storz

Vikingsholm Castle sits just back from the gorgeous beach and dock area at Emerald Bay. Tours of the Castle are available seven days a week starting at Memorial Day weekend and continue until the end of September. Thirty minute guided tours are given each hour starting from 10:00am - 4:00pm.

Vikingsholm Castle at Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe
Photo Credit: Leigh Storz

Vikingsholm Castle was build as the summer home of millionaire heiress Lora Josephine Knight in 1929. The scenery around Emerald Bay reminded her of Norway, so she chose a Scandinavian architectural style for the house. The Castle has 38 rooms, and unusual architecture with a sod roof seeded with wildflowers, dragon heads on the edge of the roof, and absolutely stunning wood doors in the front and back. The inside houses a collection of Scandinavian antiques and museum reproductions. The tour fees are extremely reasonable and this is a highly recommended day trip!

From Truckee, take Hwy 89 South at Tahoe City, and be sure to stop for lunch at my favorite Lake Tahoe Restaurant, Sunnyside Inn.

Vikingsholm Trail at Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe - Tree Roots growing around rocks! - Photo Credit: Leigh Storz

Click Here to Find out more information about Vikingsholm Castle and the Vikingsholm Trail