Yosemite National Park
Waterfall and valley-wall hikes with stone steps, spray, exposure, and major gain.
Use the sections and guides below to explore this subject in a clear, practical order.
Explore Yosemite National Park
Valley Floor Loop Trail
Plan Valley Floor Loop Trail in Yosemite with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideClouds Rest from Tenaya Lake
Plan Clouds Rest from Tenaya Lake in Yosemite with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideSunrise Lakes Trail
Plan Sunrise Lakes Trail in Yosemite with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideRancheria Falls Trail
Plan Rancheria Falls Trail in Yosemite with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideMerced Grove Trail
Plan Merced Grove Trail in Yosemite with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideSmith Peak Trail
Plan Smith Peak Trail in Yosemite with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideCarlon Falls Trail
Plan Carlon Falls Trail in Yosemite with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideArtist Point Trail
Plan Artist Point Trail in Yosemite with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideOld Big Oak Flat Road Trail
Plan Old Big Oak Flat Road Trail in Yosemite with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guidePohono Trail to Stanford Point
Plan Pohono Trail to Stanford Point in Yosemite with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideMist Trail to Vernal Fall
A steep Yosemite Valley climb beside the Merced River to the top of Vernal Fall.
Read this guideUpper Yosemite Falls Trail
A relentless climb to Columbia Rock, upper waterfall views, and the rim near Yosemite Falls.
Read this guideSentinel Dome Trail
A short Yosemite hike to a panoramic granite summit above the valley.
Read this guideTaft Point Trail
A short Yosemite rim hike to the Fissures and dramatic views toward El Capitan.
Read this guideMirror Lake Trail in Yosemite
A gentle Yosemite Valley walk to Mirror Lake with an optional creek loop.
Read this guideYosemite Valley Loop Trail
A mostly level Yosemite Valley circuit offered as a 7.2- or 11.5-mile loop.
Read this guideFour Mile Trail to Glacier Point
A relentless valley-wall climb to Glacier Point with expanding views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and the high country.
Read this guideSnow Creek Trail
A steep north-wall climb to the rim above Tenaya Canyon with striking Half Dome views.
Read this guideNevada Fall via Mist and John Muir Trails
A classic waterfall circuit climbing past Vernal Fall to Nevada Fall and returning on the John Muir Trail.
Read this guideWawona Meadow Loop
A gentle circuit around a broad meadow with forest edges, seasonal wildflowers, and historic Wawona scenery.
Read this guideChilnualna Falls Trail
A sustained canyon-side climb to a series of cascades and the top of Chilnualna Falls.
Read this guideGrizzly Giant Loop in Mariposa Grove
A sequoia-grove loop visiting the Grizzly Giant, California Tunnel Tree, and surrounding giant trees.
Read this guideLembert Dome Trail
A short high-elevation climb through forest and onto open granite for broad Tuolumne Meadows views.
Read this guideCathedral Lakes Trail
A high-country forest climb to alpine lakes beneath Cathedral Peak.
Read this guideColumbia Rock Trail
A steep lower section of the Yosemite Falls Trail to a granite perch overlooking Yosemite Valley and Half Dome.
Read this guideWapama Falls Trail
A reservoir-side route through a tunnel and along granite slopes to powerful Wapama Falls.
Read this guideTuolumne Grove Trail
A downhill walk on the old Big Oak Flat Road to a small grove of mature giant sequoias.
Read this guideElizabeth Lake Trail
A forest climb to a quiet subalpine lake beneath Unicorn Peak in the high country.
Read this guidePanorama Trail from Glacier Point
A spectacular traverse past Illilouette, Nevada, and Vernal Falls before descending the Mist or John Muir Trail.
Read this guideDog Lake Trail
A short forest climb to a peaceful lake beneath the granite domes of Tuolumne Meadows.
Read this guideGaylor Lakes Trail
A steep, compact climb to alpine lakes and broad views near the park’s eastern entrance.
Read this guideMay Lake Trail
A short granite and forest climb to a scenic lake below Mount Hoffmann.
Read this guideMono Pass Trail
A high-country route through forest and meadow to a broad pass overlooking the eastern Sierra.
Read this guideNorth Dome Trail
A long forest and granite route to a dramatic viewpoint directly across from Half Dome.
Read this guideOstrander Lake Trail
A long forest and meadow hike to a granite-rimmed lake in Yosemite’s southern high country.
Read this guidePothole Dome Trail
A short cross-country-style walk and granite climb to wide meadow and high-country views.
Read this guideGlen Aulin Trail
A long river route past granite cascades to the Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp area.
Read this guideDewey Point Trail
A forest and meadow hike to a commanding overlook above Yosemite Valley.
Read this guide