HomeCaliforniaTruckee › Donner Lake Rim Trail Trailhead - Bermgarten

Donner Lake Rim Trail Trailhead - Bermgarten

4.8 ★★★★★ 19 Google reviews · Running trail in Truckee, California · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

Confirmed from Donner Lake Rim Trail Trailhead - Bermgarten's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Natural surfaceScenic

What runners say about Donner Lake Rim Trail Trailhead - Bermgarten

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (19 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

The Donner Lake Rim Trail is a fantastic ride for anyone looking for impressive views of Donner Summit, the Sierra Crest and Donner Lake. This trail offer amazing wildflowers before August and the views make the climb a lot easier. A special ride that every mtb enthusiast should take on.

★★★★★ — Dave , Jul 2022

Awesome ride! I ride it after work, it's not to technical and a steady climb from 3 to 7 miles single track with plenty of places to pull over. The views are fantastic, and the air is thin - a good mix of biking, jogging, or sightseeing for any age.

★★★★★ — Carl , Jul 2022

Incredible execution of trailhead basics. You can park your car and then the trail is right there. Flawless.

★★★★★ — Luke , Jun 2021

Fantastic — suggest this place over Tahoe if you want to jet ski and : or rent a pontoon. Just more casual. Great beaches (West end) and also, a few hiking trails near the lake (East end)

★★★★★ — S , Jul 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 19 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 4 mentions

“The Donner Lake Rim Trail is a fantastic ride for anyone looking for impressive views of Donner Summit, the Sierra Crest and Donner Lake.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 2 mentions

“I ride it after work, it's not to technical and a steady climb from 3 to 7 miles single track with plenty of places to pull over.”

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Plan your run at Donner Lake Rim Trail Trailhead - Bermgarten

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.

Where to find Donner Lake Rim Trail Trailhead - Bermgarten

Truckee, California

Get directions

Running trails near Truckee

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

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Sawtooth Trailhead

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Outdoor recreation spot featuring mountain biking and hiking trails, with some suitable for beginners.

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All running trails in Truckee, CA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.