Donner Summit Bike Ride

The bicycle ride up and over Donner Summit on the historic Highway 40 is a classic road bike ride not to be missed in the summer months. The Outside Inn cycling crew of Wanda Shiotsuka, Heidi Biber, Rosanne Paul, and Evans Phelps started at Cisco Grove off Interstate 80 and followed the old highway all the way up to the summit and down the other side to Donner Lake. This version is 33 miles long with 3,000 feet of climbing over the two-and-a-half to three hour ride.  It can be shortened by just going to the vista point at Donner Summit (which provides postcard-worthy views of Donner Lake) or lengthened by riding around Donner Lake or going for a lunch break in downtown Truckee (our favorite spot is Wild Cherries coffee shop). The temperature is always moderate, the climbs are steady but not steep, and there are always other riders on the road and not too many cars. It is one of the road best rides our area has to offer and should and it’s easily accessible if you’re staying at the Outside Inn.