Tackling the best hikes in Yosemite National Park is really the only way to get even a small sense of its grandeur. We put together this list of Yosemite hikes so you can maximize your time among the park’s granite monoliths, waterfalls, lakes, and towering sequoias.
Nestled in the heart of the Sierra Nevada and with nearly 800 miles of trails, iconic Yosemite is truly a hiker’s paradise.
Hikes here range from almost surprisingly easy strolls to short but strenuous treks and all-day adventures, each one showing off the park’s impressive waterfalls, panoramic mountain vistas, or peaceful flower-filled meadows.
Whether you have one day or a full week, hiking in Yosemite should be front and center on your itinerary.
Yosemite Hiking Guide
We’ve included some extra info for planning your hiking trip to Yosemite National Park. Jump to the following sections (or just keep scrolling to see it all!).
Whether you simply aspire to the visit the parks in your neck of the woods or want to hit them all, be sure to download our FREE national park checklist by clicking below to keep track of your progress!
1. Lower Yosemite Falls Trail
- Distance: 1.2-mile loop
- Elevation gain: 55 feet
- Difficulty rating: Easy
- Alltrails trail notes
Lower Yosemite Falls tops just about everyone’s Yosemite bucket list. This short, super easy hike takes you right to the base of the tallest waterfall in North America, 2,425-foot Yosemite Falls.
The trail is almost entirely flat and paved, with boardwalk and asphalt sections, so it’s even suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. For the most impressive views, visit in the spring or early summer—the falls nearly dry up by July or August.
2. Taft Point & The Fissures
- Distance: 2.2 miles out and back
- Elevation gain: 200 feet
- Difficulty rating: Easy to Moderate
- Alltrails trail notes
Want to feel like you’re standing on top of the world—literally? Take the surprisingly easy, short hike to Taft Point, one of the most epic photo spots in Yosemite.
The trail is just over two miles, but what it lacks in distance, it MORE than makes up for in dramatic scenery.
Once you get to Taft Point, pose on the famous cliff edge…if you dare. For people who don’t exactly love heights, there’s an ‘official’ viewpoint with a railing.
As you walk around, look for the famous Fissures, deep, narrow cracks in the granite that drop straight down.
3. Bridalveil Fall Trail
- Distance: 0.8 miles out and back
- Elevation gain: 114 feet
- Difficulty rating: Easy
- Alltrails trail notes
Bridalveil Fall is another icon that easily makes the list of best hikes in Yosemite National Park. A quick stroll leads you to the base of 620-foot Bridalveil Fall, known for its incredibly powerful flow. Look carefully and you’ll see the ‘bridal veil’ when the wind catches the water just right.
Although this hike is short and sweet, it’s VERY misty close to the waterfall and the trail is often super slippery. Watch your footing and be prepared to get at least a little wet!
4. Vernal and Nevada Falls via Mist Trail
- Distance: 6.4-mile loop
- Elevation gain: 2,210 feet
- Difficulty rating: Challenging
- Alltrails trail notes
This famously tough trail takes you close to two impressive waterfalls in Yosemite Valley.
From the Happy Isles trailhead near Curry Village, take the Mist Trail up, up, up to Vernal Fall, then Nevada Fall. There are countless steep steps and switchbacks and it’s usually slippery near Vernal, where the mist is heaviest (wonder how the trail earned its name!).
From Vernal Fall, most people take the John Muir Trail (JMT) down. Although this route is technically longer, it’s MUCH less steep and easier on your knees.
5. Four Mile Hike
- Distance: 9.7 miles out and back
- Elevation gain: 3,200 feet
- Difficulty rating: Challenging
- Alltrails trail notes
The Four Mile Hike, which is actually closer to five miles one-way, climbs over 3,200 feet from Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point, offering jaw-dropping views along the way.
As you ascend, take in sweeping views of Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and Half Dome. The elevation gain is no joke, but the payoff makes it all worth it (especially when the summer snack stand is open!).
Some people take the Panorama Trail back, another of the best hikes in Yosemite, forming a 13.3-mile loop ending at Happy Isles.
6. Cathedral Lakes Hike
- Distance: 9.5 miles out and back (to visit both lakes)
- Elevation gain: 1,660 feet
- Difficulty rating: Moderate
- Alltrails trail notes
This is one of the best hikes in Yosemite National Park in the summer. The trail is part of the JMT and starts at Tuolumne Meadows, so it stays busy all season. Not Yosemite Valley busy, but busy.
You’ll start climbing almost immediately, and the trail splits at about three miles. A right leads to Lower Cathedral Lake, the bigger of the two, while going left takes you to the upper lake. En route to both, be prepared for some marshy stream crossings.
7. Half Dome via the John Muir Trail (JMT)
- Distance: 16.5-18.5 miles out and back
- Elevation gain: 5,305 feet
- Difficulty rating: Challenging
- Alltrails trail notes
Of all the best hikes in Yosemite National Park, Half Dome undoubtedly gets all the publicity. This iconic hike is a bucket-list adventure for many, with a uniquely grueling, exhilarating challenge.
The final push involves ascending the infamous Half Dome cables—a thrilling climb up the dome’s near-vertical granite face. Permits are required from Memorial Day through October.
Half Dome is absolutely not for beginner or casual hikers, gaining over 5,300 feet and clocking a minimum of 16.5miles.
8. Clouds Rest
- Distance: 13.5 miles out and back
- Elevation gain: 3,150 feet
- Difficulty rating: Challenging
- Alltrails trail notes
This is one of the best hikes in Yosemite National Park (and one that 100% lives up to its name!) for those seeking some of the most breathtaking views in the Sierra Nevada.
The trail is about 14 miles round-trip and involves significant elevation gain and nerve-wrackingly narrow ridges, so it’s best suited for experienced hikers. If you can overcome the challenges, the 360-degree views from the top are absolutely worth it.
9. Upper Yosemite Falls Trail
- Distance: 7 miles out and back
- Elevation gain: 2,700 feet
- Difficulty rating: Challenging
- Alltrails trail notes
Think of the Upper Yosemite Falls hike as a non-stop Stairmaster…on steroids. You’ll climb about 2,700 feet to the top of the falls, averaging a gain of nearly 1,000 feet per mile.
As you make your way up the steep switchbacks, you’ll be rewarded with experiences you very literally can’t get anywhere else (the reason it’s one of the best hikes in Yosemite!). Feel the upper falls’ powerful spray, and snap a picture of the cascade with Half Dome also in frame.
10. Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Loop
- Distance: 5.1-mile loop
- Elevation gain: 1,105 feet
- Difficulty rating: Moderate
- Alltrails trail notes
For its 360-degree views alone, the Sentinel Dome-Taft Point Loop is among the best hikes in Yosemite National Park.
Start with a climb up Sentinel Dome (literally—you’ll have to scramble a bit toward the top!), where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, and Half Dome. Other than that, it’s an easy-going trail.
After taking it all in, head to Taft Point. This usually uncrowded part of the hike is only about 1.5 miles long, but climbs 500 feet in elevation and involves navigating around several downed trees.
11. Panorama Trail
- Distance: 9.1 miles point to point
- Elevation gain: 2,270 feet
- Difficulty rating: Challenging
- Alltrails trail notes
The Panorama Trail offers a little of everything, including several of Yosemite’s most famous landmarks, plus a choose-your-own-adventure option.
It’s a one-way trek between Glacier Point and Yosemite Valley, but you can choose which direction to hike. Nearly everyone hikes ‘top-down,’ starting at Glacier Point.
This is because it’s significantly easier and much easier to figure out shuttling, since it’s a point-to-point hike. Park in the valley, then take the Glacier Point Tour bus from Yosemite Lodge (buy tickets in advance!).
12. Vernal Falls
- Distance: 2.4 miles out and back
- Elevation gain: 1,100 feet
- Difficulty rating: Challenging
- Alltrails trail notes
Vernal Fall might be one of the shorter hikes in Yosemite, but don’t discount it—it’s tough! You’ll climb over 1,000 miles in 1.2 miles, with over 600 steep, narrow granite steps next to the waterfall. Trekking poles are a must!
The views from atop Vernal Fall are spectacular, but be extremely careful. Believe it or not, the leading cause of death in Yosemite is accidentally slipping into the waterfall. Go slow, watch your footing, and don’t get anywhere near the edge.
13. Glacier Point Trail
- Distance: 0.5-mile loop
- Elevation gain: 50 feet
- Difficulty rating: Easy
- Alltrails trail notes
For its effort to reward ratio, Glacier Point is one of the best hikes in Yosemite National Park. It’s not exactly a traditional hike, but instead a leisurely walk from the parking lot to Glacier Point.
There, you’ll have a front-row seat to the park’s most famous views, including Half Dome and all the major waterfalls.
14. Mirror Lake Loop
- Distance: 4-5.5 miles, depending where you start and end
- Elevation gain: 300 feet
- Difficulty rating: Easy
- Alltrails trail notes
Mirror Lake is one of the best hikes in Yosemite National Park for families, and also a popular swimming hole.
The trail takes you to and/or around Mirror Lake. As its name gives away, when the lake is full, it shows off gorgeous reflections of Half Dome and Mount Watkins.
Start this hike from the trailhead at shuttle stop #17 or from Curry Village, adding 1.5 miles. You can also turn back at the lake or hike the full loop into Tenaya Canyon.
15. Sentinel Meadow and Cook’s Meadow Loop Trail
- Distance: 2-mile loop
- Elevation gain: Negligible
- Difficulty rating: Easy
- Alltrails trail notes
This easy trail meanders through a wide open meadow, showing off all of Yosemite Valley’s icons. Most of it is either boardwalk or pavement, so in dry weather, it’s accessible for wheelchairs and strollers (during spring runoff, the meadow becomes a marsh).
The loop is one of very few hikes in Yosemite that’s doable year-round, so add it to your list regardless of when you’re visiting.
16. Wapama Falls Trail
- Distance: 4.7 miles out and back
- Elevation gain: 1,110 feet
- Difficulty rating: Moderate
- Alltrails trail notes
Wapama Falls is one of the best hikes in Yosemite National Park to get away from the crowds. It’s off the beaten path, in the little-visited Hetch Hetchy area.
The trail offers tons of variety: stairs, forest, footbridges, wildflowers, a tunnel, and of course, Wapama Falls. Unlike many other Yosemite waterfalls, you can get right up to the base of this one.
Enjoy lake views on almost the entire trail and, if you’re visiting in the spring, a few other unnamed cascades.
17. Columbia Rock Trail
- Distance: 2.2 miles out and back
- Elevation gain: 1,000 feet
- Difficulty rating: Moderate to Challenging
- Alltrails trail notes
Want to do the Upper Yosemite Falls hike, but you’re just not fully committed? Columbia Rock is a great alternative, as it’s actually a viewpoint right along the upper falls trail.
On this short hike, you’ll face over three dozen switchbacks, so it’s a great way to get a small taste of the steeper trails in Yosemite National Park without committing to a full-day trek.
This trail is almost fully exposed, so it gets quite hot, but it’s also a rare gem that’s accessible most of the year.
18. Nevada Fall via the Mist Trail
- Distance: 5.7 miles out and back
- Elevation gain: 2,130 feet
- Difficulty rating: Challenging
- Alltrails trail notes
The other ‘half’ of the Mist Trail, the hike to Nevada Fall first takes you up to thundering Vernal Fall. From there, the 1.5-mile stretch to Nevada Fall is just as challenging, with a series of unrelenting switchbacks.
Looking down at the nearly-600-foot-tall waterfall from above, you’ll understand why this challenging but rewarding trail is one of the best hikes in Yosemite National Park.
19. Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias Trail
- Distance: 6.7 miles out and back
- Elevation gain: 1,200 feet
- Difficulty rating: Moderate
- Alltrails trail notes
For a literal change of scenery, head to Mariposa Grove. The 500-some Giant Sequoias here are some of the oldest, largest living things on Earth.
The Mariposa Grove Trail takes you past icons including 3,000-year-old Grizzly Giant and the California Tunnel Tree en route to Wawona Point.
Want something shorter but with similar views? Consider the Grizzly Giant Loop. It passes nearly all the same trees but is only two miles.
20. Dewey Point
- Distance: 7.5 miles out and back
- Elevation gain: 744 feet
- Difficulty rating: Moderate
- Alltrails trail notes
Dewey Point is often called one of the best-kept secrets in Yosemite. In fact, it’s likely busier in the winter than the summer—this is a popular snowshoeing and cross-country skiing route in the winter and spring.
Considering the outstanding Yosemite Valley views, the trail doesn’t gain much elevation. It’s on the long side, though, especially if you go the extra half-mile to Crocker Point, where you’ll see Bridalveil Fall.
21. Lyell Canyon
- Distance: ~8 miles out and back
- Elevation gain: 100 feet
- Difficulty rating: Easy to Moderate
- Alltrails trail notes
Tucked away in Tuolumne Meadows and part of the Pacific Coast Trail, Lyell Canyon is a popular overnight backpacking route.
The trail is scenic, but not as grand as many of the best hikes in Yosemite. Instead, Lyell Canyon is peaceful and almost relaxing, a relatively flat trail following the Tuolumne River through meadows and a canyon.
There’s a natural turnaround point about four miles in, but you can shorten or lengthen the hike up to 24 miles. In the first mile alone, you’ll see the river, meadows, and forest.
Best time to go hiking in Yosemite National Park
The best time to hike in Yosemite depends on what you want to see.
Late spring into early summer (April-June) is ideal if you’re chasing waterfalls—they’re at their most powerful after seasonal snowmelt.
However, many park roads, like Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road, may still be closed for the season and the weather can be dicey. Flooding and even early summer snow are not uncommon!
Summertime and early fall (July-September) grants full access to all park roads and higher elevation trails. The park is extremely busy during this time, and many waterfalls dry to a trickle.
What to pack for hiking in Yosemite National Park
- Navigation*: we recommend using Alltrails+ to download the offline trail map
- Get your first week of using Alltrails+ for FREE when you sign up using our link!
- Permit**
- Hiking daypack
- Water bottles and/or bladder for your Camelbak
- Way to purify your water (we love our Grayl water bottles, and before them we always brought along our Steripen)
- Bug repellant
- Sun protection: sunscreen, hat, sun glasses
- Headlamp
- Camera/tripod (this one’s our favorite for hiking)
- Hiking layers (here is a great resource if you’re wondering what to wear hiking)
- Rain jacket
- Comfortable hiking boots or shoes
- Hiking poles (optional)
- Plenty of snacks: check out our favorite hiking snacks here!
*Don’t forget to pack your permit if you are planning to hike Half Dome!
Be sure to download our FREE hiking packing list before your next trip and never leave another essential behind again!
Roundup of the best hikes in Yosemite National Park
Here’s a roundup of all the best hikes in Yosemite National Park so you can see everything in one place.
- Lyell Canyon
- Lower Yosemite Falls Trail
- Taft Point & The Fissures
- Bridalveil Fall Trail
- Vernal and Nevada Falls via Mist Trail
- Four Mile Hike
- Cathedral Lakes Hike
- Half Dome via the John Muir Trail (JMT)
- Clouds Rest
- Upper Yosemite Falls Trail
- Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Loop
- Panorama Trail
- Vernal Falls
- Glacier Point Trail
- Mirror Lake Loop
- Sentinel Meadow Cook’s Meadow Loop Trail
- Wapama Falls Hike
- Columbia Rock Trail
- Nevada Fall via the Mist Trail
- Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias Trail
- Dewey Point
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- Heart Lake Trail: California Hiking Guide
- Best Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park
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- Indian Canyons: Palm Springs Hiking Guide
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We want to hear from you!
Have you done any of the best hikes in Yosemite National Park on this list? What was your experience like? Are you planning a trip to Yosemite and want more advice? Comment below and let us know!