Pets allowed
Allowed
Elevation Gain
445.00 ft (135.64 m)
Trail type
Loop
Distance
1.20 mi (1.93 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

The Hobo Loop Trail is a 1.2 mile single track path tracing the lower Peavine Mountain trail system the climbs from desert springs up to wide vistas.

Accessed by a trailhead along a shoulder in a neighborhood, the Hobo Trail is one of numerous trails popular with everyone from neighborhood dog walkers to dirt bikers in the undeveloped fringe of northwest Reno. With two distinct sections, hikers can opt to go counterclockwise and begin by climbing up a steady grade that passes beside and through the brush of a set of springs. On the otherwise barren hillside, this wash is ripe with trees and tall shrubs that occasionally form an arch over the path.

Nearing the top of the springs section, the trail reaches and intersection with the dirt bike paths, and any direction will require a steep climb from the small valley. Heading west, the trail soon comes to a lower saddle that offers panoramic views across the Truckee Meadows area, including views of the downtown area to the east and the mountain ranges that surround the city on each side.

From here, a slick steep descent will lead back down to the main dirt road, and a quick jog to the east will lead back to the trailhead.

Doing this trail in a clockwise direction will allow hikers to get the steep up and down climbing out of the way and conclude with a steady decline through the springs brush. There are portions of this trail with no protection from exposure to sun and wind, and there are no amenities of any kind located at the trailhead or along the path. Hikers might opt to customize their hiking route through this area on some of the numerous other paths in order to add distance to elevation to their route.

There are a couple small streambed crossings that are often dry, but may become hazardous following wet conditions.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Summer
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

Street Parking

Open Year-round

Yes

Pros

Wide views. Few crowds.

Cons

No shade. Dog waste along trail.

Trailhead Elevation

5,475.00 ft (1,668.78 m)

Highest point

5,920.00 ft (1,804.42 m)

Features

Big vistas
Family friendly
Wildflowers

Typically multi-day

No

Suitable for

Biking
Horseback

Permit required

No

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Lake Tahoe + Northern Sierra, California
Lake Tahoe + Northern Sierra, California
Lake Tahoe + Northern Sierra, California

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