Carved into the side of a precipitous slope, the Flume Trail was once a square-box logging flume, used to carry water and timber from Lake Tahoe to the Virginia City silver mines in the late 1800s. Today, it’s a world-famous mountain biking trail along Tahoe’s east shore, which can be done as an adrenaline-pumping 24-mile loop or, with the help of a shuttle bus, a 13-mile point-to-point ride. No matter which route you choose, however, expect postcard-perfect views from way up high, and near-vertical drop-offs to the lake below. The point-to-point trail starts at Spooner Lake State Park and follows a wide dirt road for five miles to Marlette Lake before connecting to the longer loop. After about five more miles of stunning yet challenging riding, bikers descend on Tunnel Creek Road to Incline Village. To get back to your car, hop on the Flume Trail Bikes shuttle, which departs from Tunnel Creek Café.
