Following one of the original Gold Rush routes, the Pioneer Trail is a designated National Recreation Trail. Open to all non-motorized use, this over 20 mile trail follows one of the old gold rush routes down from the high country towards Nevada City. The lower half, from White Cloud Campground to Harmony Ridge Market is a pleasant Green/Beginner roll, with easy grades. From White Cloud all the way to Bear Valley, it’s more of a Blue/Intermediate trail, with some more ups and downs, bits of loose rock. The section between Langs Crossing and Spaulding Lake Trail turns to Black/Advanced as it’s quite a bit rockier and narrow, on the more rugged side.

Note: issues still exist with some sections that were destroyed from Highway 20 road work, notably between White Cloud Campground--Skillman Campground and the section around Lowell Hill Road to Bear Valley. BONC is working with Tahoe National Forest and others, hoping to rebuild and keep this historic trail open throughout.