Norden Train Tunnels at Donner

Thanks to the obsession of Theodore Judah to route trains through and over the Sierra Nevada Mountains, we get to enjoy the Norden tunnels. Maybe that's a stretch—but not really. Judah did find a way, and Track #1 was in use for 125 years before being decommissioned in 1993. The tunnels and snow sheds were designed to keep the tracks somewhat clear of rocks and snow. Today, tunnels #6, #7 and #8 are a tourist attraction, a canvas for street artists and a unique one-mile trail for hikers. You can't argue with the view. We enjoy watching rock climbers scale the granite walls nearby, while distant vistas of snowcapped peaks, Donner Lake and the ever-changing graffiti inside the tunnels offer a striking contrast. In the heat of summer, we come up here for relief. When flowers fade and grasses turn brown at lower elevations, spring still thrives up here. Penstemons and spreading phlox are favorites. If you just want to see the tunnels, it's an easy two-mile round trip on the out-and-back trail. If you're up for a moderate challenge, you can extend your hike to the China Wall petroglyphs for a 9-plus mile adventure. To get there, take Interstate 80 east from Auburn to the Soda Springs/Norden exit. Turn right onto Donner Pass Road and follow it up to the China Wall trailhead. Parking is free and plentiful, but arrive early to avoid crowds. Bring a flashlight or headlamp for the tunnels—cell phone lights won't last long. The gravel floor is uneven, so sturdy shoes or hiking boots are recommended. Mary West is the author of the Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guidebook series, a curated collection of her popular newspaper columns. In each installment, West shares her enduring love for the outdoors and highlights favorite hikes throughout Northern California's Gold Country and beyond. Her work has earned recognition, including the 2025 Bear Yuba Land Trust John Skinner Sierra Outdoors Recreation Award and the CRAFT Awards for Best Outdoor Newspaper Column in 2017 and 2019 from the Outdoor Writers Association of California. Her books are available on Amazon, and you can follow her adventures on Facebook and Instagram.