Hiking in Yosemite

18.2 mi · 6,204 ft gain · 11.8 hr

An 18.2-mile round-trip from the Valley floor to the Clouds Rest summit, with panoramic views of Half Dome and the Sierra Nevada that many argue surpass the more crowded Half Dome summit — without requiring a permit.

0.6 mi · 49 ft gain · 13 min

A paved 0.6-mile loop at the Glacier Point overlook — accessible to most visitors and delivering one of the park's most dramatic views: Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and the full Valley floor from 3,200 feet above.

7.1 mi · 2,667 ft gain · 4.8 hr

A 7.1-mile out-and-back to Little Yosemite Valley — the backpackers' basecamp on the Half Dome approach — delivering Merced Canyon views and sub-dome terrain without committing to the full summit route.

17.2 mi · 5,305 ft gain

The premier Yosemite hike: 17.2 miles and 5,300 feet of gain along the JMT to the Half Dome summit cables, rewarding with unobstructed 360-degree views of the Sierra. A day-hike permit via lottery is required to access the cable section — secure one or the trip ends at the base of the subdome.

7.9 mi · 2,342 ft gain · 4.7 hr

A 7.9-mile route from the Valley through the Mist Trail corridor and into the sandy meadow of Little Yosemite Valley — passing Vernal and Nevada Falls and ending in the quiet backpackers' camp beside the Merced River.

10.6 mi · 2,641 ft gain · 5.8 hr

A 10.6-mile JMT approach to Little Yosemite Valley that trades the Mist Trail's staircase spray for a switchback-heavy but slightly drier climb through forest and granite — a longer route to the same backcountry camp with a different character.

1.2 mi · 59 ft gain · 24 min

A flat 1.2-mile paved loop to the base of Lower Yosemite Fall — the most accessible waterfall experience in the park, with a mist-sprayed viewing area just steps from the shuttle stop, suitable for strollers and dogs.

5.1 mi · 305 ft gain · 1.8 hr

A 5.1-mile loop around Mirror Lake and Tenaya Creek at the base of Half Dome — best in spring when the lake reflects Half Dome's north face in still water; by late summer the lake is a meadow.

2.1 mi · 121 ft gain · 43 min

A 2.1-mile paved out-and-back to Mirror Lake — the easiest route to the Half Dome reflection viewpoint, suitable for younger kids and accessible visitors who want more than the Lower Yosemite Falls loop.

4.4 mi · 305 ft gain · 1.6 hr

A 4.4-mile Valley Loop route that passes Mirror Lake and the meadow beyond — a slightly longer version of the Mirror Lake experience that adds variety by looping Tenaya Creek through a mixed forest before returning to the Valley shuttle.

5.9 mi · 2,125 ft gain · 3.9 hr

A 5.9-mile Mist Trail climb past Vernal Fall's spray wall to Nevada Fall's 594-foot drop — the signature Yosemite hike for visitors who want a substantial waterfall experience and can handle granite staircase climbing at altitude.

7.6 mi · 2,309 ft gain · 4.6 hr

A 7.6-mile out-and-back to Nevada Fall that takes the John Muir Trail route up and can be looped back via the Mist Trail — offering a slightly longer, switchback-based approach to the same waterfall destination as the direct Mist Trail option.

5.2 mi · 1,108 ft gain · 2.7 hr

A 5.2-mile Glacier Point Road loop hitting both Sentinel Dome (360° Sierra panorama) and Taft Point (sheer Valley-edge overlook with slot fissures) — two very different viewpoint characters in a single moderate day hike that requires no permit.

2.8 mi · 190 ft gain · 1 hr

A short 2.8-mile loop along Tenaya Creek and past Mirror Lake — a quieter creek-walk alternative to the fully paved Mirror Lake Paved Trail, through riparian forest with Valley wall views.

6.7 mi · 3,238 ft gain · 5.3 hr

A 6.7-mile, 3,238-foot climb to the top of North America's tallest waterfall — Yosemite Falls' upper tier — with Valley-floor views that open progressively as you gain the switchbacks above the Lower Falls viewpoint.

7.6 mi · 2,716 ft gain · 5.0 hr

A 7.6-mile route from the Valley floor up Snow Creek to a footbridge with Tenaya Canyon views — a quieter, less-trafficked alternative to the Mist Trail corridor that delivers significant elevation and excellent canyon perspective.

6.7 mi · 2,191 ft gain · 4.2 hr

The Mist Trail's signature loop — 6.7 miles past Vernal Fall's mist-soaked granite staircase and up to Nevada Fall, with a return via the John Muir Trail — the single best introduction hike in Yosemite for fit visitors.

1.8 mi · 492 ft gain · 1.0 hr

A 1.8-mile moderate hike up the JMT to the Vernal Fall footbridge — the easiest point from which to see a major Yosemite waterfall in full roar, without the steep granite staircases of the full Mist Trail.

3.3 mi · 1,141 ft gain · 2.1 hr

A 3.3-mile out-and-back to the top of Vernal Fall via the Mist Trail's famous spray-soaked granite staircase — the shortest route to a major Yosemite summit and one of the most visceral hikes in the park when the fall is running full.

4.7 mi · 1,614 ft gain · 3.0 hr

A 4.7-mile loop combining the Mist Trail's staircase to Vernal Fall with a JMT return via Clark Point — a complete Merced Gorge experience that avoids backtracking and includes a high traverse viewpoint over the Valley.

6.8 mi · 1,220 ft gain · 3.5 hr

Yosemite's giant-sequoia walk, in the Wawona corner of the park. The lower-grove 2.2-mile loop reaches the headline trees — the Grizzly Giant and the walk-through California Tunnel Tree — while the full 6.8-mile route climbs past the Galen Clark Tree to the Wawona Point vista. A free shuttle runs from the Mariposa Grove parking area, which fills by mid-morning. Over 300 sequoias grow here, some close to 2,000 years old.

14.5 mi · 4,819 ft gain · 9.5 hr

The hiker's route to the top of El Capitan — the granite wall climbers ascend via The Nose. It's a strenuous 14.5-mile day with nearly 5,000 feet of climbing, up the Yosemite Falls trail's switchbacks past Columbia Rock before the traverse to the summit. Most visitors take in El Capitan from the valley floor instead; this is for very fit hikers who want to stand on top. Start before dawn, carry plenty of water, and expect snow on the route into late spring.

4.9 mi · 1,085 ft gain · 2.6 hr

The signature Hetch Hetchy hike - across the top of O'Shaughnessy Dam and along the reservoir's north shore to Wapama Falls, which thunders over a series of footbridges in spring, passing Tueeulala Falls on the way. Best April-June at peak flow; the bridges can be impassable at the highest water.

12.9 mi · 2,634 ft gain

A long out-and-back along the reservoir to Rancheria Falls - the full Hetch Hetchy shoreline, far quieter than the Yosemite Valley trails and often done as a backpacking overnight. Bears are active here; a permit and bear canister are required to camp.

2.8 mi · 547 ft gain · 1.4 hr

A short climb from near the Hetch Hetchy entrance to a granite outcrop with the first open view over the reservoir and Kolana Rock - a quick leg-stretch if you're not committing to the dam hike.