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Vikingsholm

Hwy 89 at Emerald Bay State Park, South Lake Tahoe, CA
530-541-3030
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Type: Castles, Historic Sites, Architectural Buildings
Activities: Hiking
Owner description: Built as a summer home in 1929, this grand castle on Emerald Bay is considered one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the Western... more » Owner description: Built as a summer home in 1929, this grand castle on Emerald Bay is considered one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the Western Hemisphere. « less
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118 reviews from our community

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    4
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Date Rating
S. California
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
4 attraction reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 18, 2013 NEW

First, you get a great little high-mountain workout hiking to/from the Castle. Second, the views of Emerald Bay from the shore are just as stunning as from up above. Third, take a tour of the ultra-cool Vikingsholm, and dream about old-Tahoe. Storybook!!

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Queenstown, South Africa
Contributor
20 reviews 20 reviews
17 attraction reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 16, 2013 NEW

Very easy "walk" not a hike as such!!! But GREAT views of Emerald bay! There is parking up at Vikingsholm before you take the trail $10 though, I would recommend parking across the street at Eagle Falls it's either free or a fee of $5 to park depending on the time of year!

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Pasadena, California
Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 9, 2013

Vikingsholm was set in the beautiful Emerald Bay. It was a breathtaking walk down to the bay and seeing Vikingsholm made one try to imagine the life of Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight who built this Castle & Tea House on the Bay.

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USA
Top Contributor
59 reviews 59 reviews
11 attraction reviews
Reviews in 21 cities Reviews in 21 cities
27 helpful votes 27 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 7, 2013

I have never taken the tour of the house, but have made the hike down in late summer and also early spring. The hike is about 1 mile each way. Downhill on the way down, and all uphill the way back. But there are places to stop and take a break. Once down, there are all kinds of trails to... More

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See 11 more reviews by MicheleDahl for South Lake Tahoe
Sunnyvale, California
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 22, 2013

Long walk down to the lake shore. Definitely worth the trip. Beautiful structure. Will return to see when open for summer season!

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See 3 more reviews by danielmcdeavitt for South Lake Tahoe
CA
Top Contributor
113 reviews 113 reviews
26 attraction reviews
Reviews in 37 cities Reviews in 37 cities
121 helpful votes 121 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 12, 2013

The hike to this castle is a mile from the Emerald Bay Lookout. The hike down is pleasant and has a switchback, unpaved trail. The castle has picnic tables at the water's edge and restrooms close by. The hike back up the trail is a little strenuous. Our guidebook said the grade ascends/descends 400 feet so, it's pretty steep. Still,... More

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See 7 more reviews by patriotic for South Lake Tahoe
Lansing, MI
Senior Contributor
47 reviews 47 reviews
6 attraction reviews
Reviews in 21 cities Reviews in 21 cities
17 helpful votes 17 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 9, 2013

The views are out of this world. It was not an easy hike, especially back up the 1 mile hill to leave. I wish Vikingsholm would have been open on our visit in April, but it wasn't. Still gorgeous and fun to explore the outside.

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 3 more reviews by travel_chick1674 for South Lake Tahoe
California
Top Contributor
143 reviews 143 reviews
50 attraction reviews
Reviews in 75 cities Reviews in 75 cities
237 helpful votes 237 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 8, 2013

Vikingsholm is a nice place to go on a warm day in Tahoe. You need to go to a little trouble to get here, so I wouldn’t bother if you only have a couple hours. However, if you have a whole day (or at least half a day), then it’s worth doing. The old house itself is interesting to see,... More

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Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
12 attraction reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 7, 2013

It was an easy mile down but a tough mile up again. Definitely don't recommend for those who have a tough time with exertion. It was a beautiful walk, however, and a beautiful house, even though we weren't able to tour it. It was closed up for the winter. The lake and beach there was breathtaking. Wanting to go back... More

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See 4 more reviews by Kellyn C for South Lake Tahoe
Fresno, California
Senior Contributor
38 reviews 38 reviews
4 attraction reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 7, 2013

a beautiful 1.5 mile walk down to the shore of the lake and the house. funky, crazy, beautiful old place. totally idyllic experience. The walk back up the hill is strenuous for out of shape people, but a totally great, non casino experience.

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See 2 more reviews by olddaddydude for South Lake Tahoe

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