One of the most unique hiking experiences in The Golden State is also perhaps the creepiest hike in Northern California. Located in the Sierra Nevada near Norden, the trail leads hikers through long-abandoned railroad tunnels known as the Donner Pass Summit Tunnels. The tunnels were used by trains for well over a century until the line was rerouted. Walking through the tunnels today provides an eerie experience and a memorable adventure – plus, the mountain views are breathtaking! If you have yet to explore these abandoned tunnels, be sure to consider them for your next adventure.
The hike through the historic Donner Pass Summit Tunnels in the Sierra Nevada Range is a unique adventure.
Wayne Hsieh/Flickr It not only combines history and scenic beauty, but it’s also pretty creepy, so be sure to bring a flashlight…and possibly a friend!
The now-abandoned railroad tunnels were constructed by Chinese laborers over a span of 15 months.
John Morrison/AllTrails They were completed in 1867 and were used for 125 years until the railroad line was rerouted in 1993. Both Donner Pass and the tunnels are named after the ill-fated Donner Party.
Abandoned for decades, the tunnels are now a popular destination for adventure-hungry hikers.
Emma Eldridge/AllTrails An easy, five-mile out-and-back trail winds through the several tunnels at Donner Pass.
There are a few different ways to approach the hike through the tunnels.
Vojta B/AllTrails A popular place to start the Donner Tunnels hike adventure is at the intersection of Donner Pass Road and Sugar Bowl Road, near Donner Ski Ranch. From here, you’re well on your way to Tunnel #6, the most popular of all the tunnels. This is definitely hiking in Northern California at its best!
Following the trail, you’ll be led into the rest of the tunnels. They are certainly large and impressive! They are also very dark with light pouring in at only certain spots.
Pierce Kadlec/AllTrails Be sure to bring a flashlight and/or a headlamp, , almost as if you were going to be exploring some caves. Reliable shoes or boots are also a must; the terrain inside of the tunnels is unpredictable and prone to tripping hazards.
Another thing to keep in mind when hiking the tunnels is that, although a popular hiking destination, part of is technically private property.
James Rector/AllTrails Enforcement is generally known to be hands-off, but you may be asked to leave. And as always, be sure to abide by Leave No Trace principles when embarking upon this fascinating hike which is arguably overall one of the best hikes in Northern California.
Creepy, historic, scenic - the hike through Donner Summit Tunnels offers a bit of everything.
Ken Lund/Flickr Add this one-of-a-kind hike to your Northern California adventures bucket list! Or perhaps even this road trip of abandoned places dotted throughout Northern California!
Wayne Hsieh/Flickr
It not only combines history and scenic beauty, but it’s also pretty creepy, so be sure to bring a flashlight…and possibly a friend!
John Morrison/AllTrails
They were completed in 1867 and were used for 125 years until the railroad line was rerouted in 1993. Both Donner Pass and the tunnels are named after the ill-fated Donner Party.
Emma Eldridge/AllTrails
An easy, five-mile out-and-back trail winds through the several tunnels at Donner Pass.
Vojta B/AllTrails
A popular place to start the Donner Tunnels hike adventure is at the intersection of Donner Pass Road and Sugar Bowl Road, near Donner Ski Ranch. From here, you’re well on your way to Tunnel #6, the most popular of all the tunnels. This is definitely hiking in Northern California at its best!
Pierce Kadlec/AllTrails
Be sure to bring a flashlight and/or a headlamp, , almost as if you were going to be exploring some caves. Reliable shoes or boots are also a must; the terrain inside of the tunnels is unpredictable and prone to tripping hazards.
James Rector/AllTrails
Enforcement is generally known to be hands-off, but you may be asked to leave. And as always, be sure to abide by Leave No Trace principles when embarking upon this fascinating hike which is arguably overall one of the best hikes in Northern California.
Ken Lund/Flickr
Add this one-of-a-kind hike to your Northern California adventures bucket list! Or perhaps even this road trip of abandoned places dotted throughout Northern California!
History and scenic beauty combine at this creepy hiking trail in the Sierras.
Have you explored the abandoned railroad tunnels at Donner Pass? If so, what did you think? Were you creeped out? If so, or even if not, we’d love to read about your experiences in the comments section below.
This enticing video shares 11 scenic coastal hikes in Northern California that will leave you clamoring for more!
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Address: Donner Pass Road, Donner Pass Rd, Norden, CA, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Enjoy the Great Outdoors in Northern California January 27, 2023 Lysa Allman-Baldwin Where can we find other abandoned places in Northern California? There are lots of intriguing abandoned places in Northern California, and each one offers a distinctive look into the state’s history. Check out a few of these on your next long-forgotten place adventures:
The rusted cars in the old ghost town of Bodie The Bayshore Roundhouse in Brisbane The old fishing boat in Point Reyes The TeePee Woodchip burner in Anderson
We’re looking for waterfalls in Northern California. There are so many wonderful waterfalls in Northern California…some more known than others. If you’re looking for something more off-the-beaten-path, be sure to check out these stunning hidden waterfalls:
Burney Falls at McArthur-Burney Fall Memorial State Park Faery Falls at the Spenceville Wildlife Refuge Potem Falls in the town of Potem Falls Mossbrae Falls in Dunsmuir
What are some of the best campgrounds in Northern California? There is a wealth of campgrounds in Northern California that offer something for everyone. Whether you are a tent camper, have your own RV, prefer to stay in a cabin, or other lodging options, these campgrounds are among some of the best to consider:
Wylder Hotel Hope Valley in Hope Valley AutoCamp Russian River in Guerneville Mendocino Magic in Laytonville
The OIYS Visitor Center
Enjoy the Great Outdoors in Northern California
January 27, 2023
Lysa Allman-Baldwin
Where can we find other abandoned places in Northern California? There are lots of intriguing abandoned places in Northern California, and each one offers a distinctive look into the state’s history. Check out a few of these on your next long-forgotten place adventures:
The rusted cars in the old ghost town of Bodie The Bayshore Roundhouse in Brisbane The old fishing boat in Point Reyes The TeePee Woodchip burner in Anderson
We’re looking for waterfalls in Northern California. There are so many wonderful waterfalls in Northern California…some more known than others. If you’re looking for something more off-the-beaten-path, be sure to check out these stunning hidden waterfalls:
Burney Falls at McArthur-Burney Fall Memorial State Park Faery Falls at the Spenceville Wildlife Refuge Potem Falls in the town of Potem Falls Mossbrae Falls in Dunsmuir
What are some of the best campgrounds in Northern California? There is a wealth of campgrounds in Northern California that offer something for everyone. Whether you are a tent camper, have your own RV, prefer to stay in a cabin, or other lodging options, these campgrounds are among some of the best to consider:
Wylder Hotel Hope Valley in Hope Valley AutoCamp Russian River in Guerneville Mendocino Magic in Laytonville
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There are lots of intriguing abandoned places in Northern California, and each one offers a distinctive look into the state’s history. Check out a few of these on your next long-forgotten place adventures:
- The rusted cars in the old ghost town of Bodie
- The Bayshore Roundhouse in Brisbane
- The old fishing boat in Point Reyes
- The TeePee Woodchip burner in Anderson
We’re looking for waterfalls in Northern California.
There are so many wonderful waterfalls in Northern California…some more known than others. If you’re looking for something more off-the-beaten-path, be sure to check out these stunning hidden waterfalls:
- Burney Falls at McArthur-Burney Fall Memorial State Park
- Faery Falls at the Spenceville Wildlife Refuge
- Potem Falls in the town of Potem Falls
- Mossbrae Falls in Dunsmuir
What are some of the best campgrounds in Northern California?
There is a wealth of campgrounds in Northern California that offer something for everyone. Whether you are a tent camper, have your own RV, prefer to stay in a cabin, or other lodging options, these campgrounds are among some of the best to consider:
- Wylder Hotel Hope Valley in Hope Valley
- AutoCamp Russian River in Guerneville
- Mendocino Magic in Laytonville
