Best trails in Yosemite Valley
4.6·189,854 reviews
Looking for the best hiking trails in Yosemite Valley? Whether you're getting ready to hike, bike, trail run, or explore other outdoor activities, AllTrails has 219 scenic trails in the Yosemite Valley area. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you.
Explore one of 28 easy hiking trails in Yosemite Valley or discover kid-friendly routes for your next family trip. Check out some trails with historic sights or adventure through the nature areas surrounding Yosemite Valley that are perfect for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts at any skill level.
Top trails
1
(18638)
•Hard
•6.4 mi
•Est. 4h 10m
Hike to two breathtaking waterfalls along some of Yosemite Valley's most popular hiking trails. If you only have time for one hike while in Yosemite look no further - the Mist Trail is the hike for you. It is no wonder why this trail is one of the most traveled in Yosemite National Park. You will hike so close to these two massive waterfalls that you may get wet from the trail. The best time to hike this trail is in Spring or early Summer, while the snow runoff is high and the falls are full...
2
(14532)
•Hard
•6.6 mi
•Est. 5h 21m
Enjoy the incredible views looking down from the top of Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in the continental US. Yosemite Falls, dropping 2,425 feet to the bottom of the valley from the top, is one of the most visited places in Yosemite National Park. The falls consist of three sections: upper falls, middle cascade, and lower falls. While most people only make the short trip to visit lower falls, upper falls is definitely worthy of visiting due to its panoramic views of Yosemite Valley...
3
(13670)
•Hard
•16.5 mi
Half Dome is a serious endurance hike taking you 4,800 feet above the Yosemite Valley to spectacular views of Vernal and Nevada Falls, Liberty Cap, the Yosemite Valley, and the High Sierra. This is one of Yosemite National Park’s most iconic hikes. You must obtain a permit to hike to the summit of Half Dome.
Preparation and safety are key to having a fantastic experience. This is a hike that requires users to be in good shape. Most people take 10 to 12 hours to hike to Half Dome and back,...
4
(9435)
•Hard
•3.1 mi
•Est. 2h 5m
Vernal Falls is one of the most popular destinations in Yosemite and for good reason! This trail follows the Mist Trail up a short but steep paved path. After this climb you will reach a bridge with views up to Vernal Falls. This is followed by a short section of wide dirt trail and finally a steep rock stair set up to the falls themselves. These stairs can extremely slipper due to this mist from the falls, so please exercise caution.
The Mist Trail starts at Happy Isles Trailhead (YARTS...
5
(14487)
•Easy
•1.2 mi
•Est. 24m
A quick stroll to see Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in Northern America and 5th in the world, crash down on the rocks below. Open year-round, this trail is easy but icy in the winter. The trailhead is at the Lower Yosemite Fall Trailhead (shuttle stop #6). This short, easy walk provides spectacular views of Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls and even Middle Cascade. Like all waterfalls in Yosemite, this waterfall is often dry from late July or August through October and is best seen in...
6
(6977)
•Hard
•4.5 mi
•Est. 3h 0m
This trail begins at Happy Isles and follows the John Muir Trail to the Mist Trail and Vernal Falls. From there, continue on to Emerald Pool, where you will reach a junction that takes you to Clark Point. Follow the John Muir Trail as it loops back to the trailhead. There are incredible views of waterfalls and the surrounding granite domes along this route.
The upper portion of the John Muir Trail between Clark Point and the top of Nevada Fall is closed in winter due to treacherously icy...
7
(5486)
•Easy
•5.0 mi
•Est. 1h 44m
With a fresh perspective looking up at Half Dome directly from its base, you'll be rewarded with views of Tenaya Canyon, Mount Watkins, and Washington Column. While pleasant at any time of year, Mirror Lake is fullest in spring and early summer. When water is calm, the lake offers beautiful reflections of surrounding cliffs. Mirror Lake is often referred to as Mirror Meadow in late summer due to the lack of water.
The first mile of this trail is a paved service road that leads directly to...
8
(4524)
•Moderate
•2.2 mi
•Est. 1h 42m
This is a short steep hike to Columbia Rock with sweeping views of Yosemite Valley along the Yosemite Upper Falls Trail.
Sharing a trailhead with Upper Yosemite Falls, Columbia Rock Trail is located in the Sunnyside campground (Camp 4). Get off the shuttle at the #7 stop, cross the road, and take short quarter mile walk to the trailhead. This part of the Upper Yosemite Falls trail is full of switchbacks and can be tough on the knees coming back down, hiking poles may be helpful here! The...
9
(3899)
•Hard
•5.7 mi
•Est. 3h 53m
This hike takes you on one of the most popular trails in Yosemite National Park - the Mist Trail. The trail begins from Happy Isles and follows the paved Mist Trail to the Vernal Falls Footbridge. Here there are restrooms and water fountains, making it a great spot to take a break before the real climbing begins. From here, the trail turns into rocky steps, up to the top of Vernal Falls. This section is what gives the trail its name - in the spring, the trail gets hit with mist from the...
10
(2964)
•Moderate
•4.4 mi
•Est. 1h 34m
The Mirror Lake via Valley Loop Trail is an easy loop in Yosemite National Park, with the pathway around Mirror Lake being a must-see for its beautiful reflections of Half Dome and its abundance of wildflowers during the early summer months. Mirror Lake is a seasonal calm lake located on Tenaya Creek and situated in Tenaya Canyon directly between North Dome and Half Dome. It is the last remnant of a large glacial lake that once filled the entire Yosemite Valley.
This is a well-marked trail...
Showing results 1–10 of 219
Trail reviews for Yosemite Valley
Trail loop close so had to go backtrack same way The stone stairs kinda dangerous when going down
Vernal and Nevada Falls via Mist Trail
Everything everyone else has said recently was true. The hike down was especially hard on the knees.
Difficulty: Strenuous
Off season is best. Harness + prusik not with a sling for extension. Go when there’s no snow. Helmet would be recommended if it’s windy, cuz ice sometimes gets blown down as your climbing the cables. Not for the faint of heart but definitely worth the experience. Also, you bypass the almost-impossible lottery system. Pro tip: just keep going and trust your prusik :) I think 2 liters is sufficient, and a lunch snack with maybe 3-4 snack items is sufficient for a 12 hour hike.
Conditions: Snow, Icy
Half Dome via the John Muir Trail (JMT)
Restroom are closed for the season so better do it at the bathroom at the trail head
Vernal Falls
This is a great little hike, even in the fall when the waterfall is not running.
Parking: Free, Medium lot
Took the mist trail up and the jmt down. The jmt is icy in some places up top at the moment.
Difficulty: Hard
Frequently asked questions
What are the different types of hiking trails in Yosemite Valley?
There are plenty of things to do on Yosemite Valley's hiking trails. On AllTrails.com, you'll find 207 hiking trails, 138 running trails, 112 backpacking trails, and more.
What is the longest trail in Yosemite Valley?
According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Yosemite Valley is John Muir Trail. This trail is estimated to be 219.3 mi long.
Which trail has the most elevation gain in Yosemite Valley?
Yosemite Valley: With an ascent of 46,459 ft, John Muir Trail has the most elevation gain of all of the trails in the area. The next highest ascent trail is Hetch Hechy Reservoir to Sierra Crest Backpacking Loop with 18,353 ft of elevation gain.
What is the most popular and difficult trail in Yosemite Valley?
The most popular and difficult trail in Yosemite Valley is Vernal and Nevada Falls via Mist Trail with a 4.9-star rating from 18,638 reviews.
Are there camping trails available in Yosemite Valley?
According to AllTrails.com, there are 49 camping trails in Yosemite Valley and the most popular is Upper Yosemite Falls Trail with an average 4.8 star rating from 14,532 community reviews.
Are there running trails available in Yosemite Valley?
According to AllTrails.com, there are 138 running trails in Yosemite Valley and the most popular is Vernal and Nevada Falls via Mist Trail with an average 4.9 star rating from 18,638 community reviews.
Are there biking trails available in Yosemite Valley?
According to AllTrails.com, there are 3 biking trails in Yosemite Valley and the most popular is Mirror Lake Paved Trail with an average 4.5 star rating from 4,565 community reviews.