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Even the paved roads that dot the base of Yosemite make you feel like you’ve entered another world. Looking up at some of nature’s most fascinating skyscrapers, including the alluring El Capitan and Half Dome, is humbling. From morning to night, light hits the park’s peaks to create an ever-changing view you can’t take your eyes off of. Yosemite National Park, located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, is a playground for the adventurous. The dizzying array of Yosemite hikes lands you in front of ferociously beautiful waterfalls, up single-track terrain that opens to calm waters for wading through, and along the edges of intense granite cliffs that reveal the vast valleys rich with ancient sequoia trees below.
Due to limited access—with reservations required to enter the park—Yosemite avoids overcrowding on the trails, which ultimately lends itself to a more pristine landscape. Whether you’re looking for something leisurely the whole family can enjoy, or the most challenging option to put your athleticism to the test, these are the best hikes in Yosemite to try.
Sentinel Dome Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Best for: Hikers who want an easy hike with impressive views of Yosemite Valley and the surrounding mountains
Known for: A short, easy hike to the top of Sentinel Dome, which offers 360-degree outlooks of the surrounding area
What to expect: Anticipate an effortless hike to the peak of Sentinel Dome, featuring sensational panoramic vistas of Yosemite Valley and the neighboring mountains. This is an excellent alternative for individuals seeking a simple hike that still shows off the magic of the park. Sentinel Dome provides sublime outlooks of Yosemite Valley from a distinctive vantage point and is an exceptional location to observe the sunset.
Yosemite Valley Loop Trail
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Best for: Hikers who want to see many of Yosemite’s iconic landmarks, but don’t want a very challenging hike
Known for: Panoramic views of Yosemite Valley, including Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and El Capitan
What to expect: Get ready for an effortless to moderately challenging hike that offers commanding sights of Yosemite Valley and its prominent landmarks. This is an ideal trail for individuals who desire to take in numerous highlights of the park without enduring too much exertion. The trail traverses several of Yosemite’s most well-known spots, such as Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and Half Dome, making it a great hike for sightseers.
Tuolumne Meadows to Glen Aulin
Difficulty: Moderate
Best for: Hikers who want to experience Yosemite’s high country and alpine scenery
Known for: Views of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the glistening Tuolumne River, and the beautiful waterfalls at Glen Aulin
What to expect: Anticipate a moderate hike that features outlooks of the Tuolumne River and the Sierra Nevada mountains. You’ll encounter numerous waterfalls on your journey and will have the opportunity to take a refreshing dip in the river at the end. The hike leads to Glen Aulin, which was christened after a character in a novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. Stevenson was moved by the monumental beauty of Yosemite’s high country, which he vividly described in his writing.
Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls
Difficulty: Moderate
Best for: Hikers looking for beautiful waterfalls and scenic views without too much strenuous uphill hiking
Known for: Close proximity to Vernal and Nevada Falls, as well as the misty hike that takes you to the top of the falls
What to expect: Anticipate a moderate hike that shows off the splendor of Yosemite’s towering waterfalls, with a refreshing and misty ascent to the top of the falls. However, be mindful of the crowds and potentially slippery terrain near the falls. The Mist Trail derives its name from the spray that emanates from the waterfalls, which can make for an invigorating and rejuvenating hike up to the top.
North Dome Hike
Difficulty: Moderate
Best for: Hikers who want to experience sweeping scenes of Yosemite Valley from a unique perspective
Known for: A moderate hike to the top of North Dome, which offers eyeshots of Half Dome, Yosemite Valley, and surrounding mountains
What to expect: Be ready for a moderately challenging hike to the peak of North Dome, where vistas of Yosemite Valley from a distinctive angle await. The hike begins at Tioga Road near Porcupine Creek and takes hikers through a pine forest before reaching the granite dome. From the top of North Dome, hikers will see El Capitan, Half Dome, Clouds Rest, and the Yosemite high country.
Four Mile Trail to Glacier Point
Difficulty: Strenuous
Best for: Experienced hikers who want a challenging uphill hike with breathtaking views of Yosemite Valley
Known for: Stunning panoramic views of Yosemite Valley from Glacier Point, as well as the challenging uphill climb to get there
What to expect: Be ready for a demanding and arduous uphill hike to reach the Glacier Point lookout, featuring majestic views of Yosemite Valley throughout the trek. This hike is perfect for experienced hikers seeking both a challenge and picturesque vistas of the park. The Four Mile Trail, despite its name, is almost five miles long and involves an elevation gain of over 3,000 feet en route to Glacier Point.
Panorama Trail
Difficulty: Strenuous
Best for: Hikers who want to experience a long, challenging hike amid the prime landscapes of Yosemite Valley
Known for: Views of Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls, Illilouette Falls, and remarkable panoramas of Yosemite Valley and the high country
What to expect: Be prepared for a demanding and challenging hike that offers lovely vistas of Yosemite Valley and the high country. This is a lengthy trek that takes you by numerous famous monuments and gorgeous backdrops of Yosemite Valley and the high country. The trail begins at Glacier Point, then leads hikers down the valley via the Mist Trail. Along the way, hikers can observe views of the iconic Half Dome, Liberty Cap, and Nevada Falls. As the trail descends further into the valley, you’ll catch glimpses of El Capitan and Yosemite Falls.
Half Dome Hike
Difficulty: Strenuous
Best for: Experienced hikers in good physical shape who are comfortable with heights
Known for: The iconic Half Dome formation and the thrilling climb to its summit via cables
What to expect: Be prepared for a demanding and difficult ascent to the peak of one of Yosemite’s most renowned landmarks, with awe-inspiring views of the park throughout the trek. The hike is a long and challenging one, involving steep switchbacks and an exhilarating climb up the Half Dome cables. It’s worth noting that the Half Dome cables are erected for just a few months each year, typically from late May to early October, and hikers must acquire a permit to scale them.
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