Flume Trail has been named one of the top mountain bike trails in the United States. Not only is it a challenging 13.2 miles along the edge of a mountain, but it has some of the best views of the blue waters of Lake Tahoe.

This technical bike trail located in the Tahoe area is also available for hiking for those with no fear of heights. The trail starts at Spooner Lake on Highway 50 and climbs up over 2,000 feet to Marlette Lake at over 8,000 feet. After the viewpoints, the trail begins a 2.9-mile downhill cruise along the Tunnel Creek trail to the north part of the trail.

The Flume Trail overlooks the North Shore of Lake Tahoe — Photo courtesy of Jeff Moser/Bike Carson.com

There are bike rentals available at Tunnel Creek. For around $35, you can rent a basic but well-maintained, light mountain bike next to Tunnel Creek Café, which is located at the old Ponderosa Ranch near Incline Village.

The café and bike rental company also has a shuttle service. For $15 ($10 with a bike rental), you will get a ride to Spooner Lake so that you only need to do the Flume Trail one way. The shuttle runs seven days a week in the summer and fall, every hour from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Afternoon shuttles are available as needed for two or more on the half hour.

The shuttle can also take you to mountain bike the Tahoe Rim Trail. The beginning of this section of the Tahoe Rim Trail is at 8,700 feet above the Sheep Flats (a.k.a Tahoe Meadows) on the Mt. Rose Highway and above Incline Village.