Yosemite National Park is one of our favorite parks in the USA. There is such a wide variety of activities for every fitness level, you can never be bored here! We had the pleasure of camping and exploring our way through Yosemite National Park in May of 2019.
In this blog post, we are sharing 10 hikes that you have to do in Yosemite National Park!
Let’s get started!
In the midst of planning your trip to yosemite? Check out our complete guide here!
1. Half Dome
Distance: 15.35 miles, round trip
Elevation: 4,800 feet
Difficulty: Hard
This is hands down one of the most popular hikes in Yosemite National Park! This hike requires special permits that need to be purchased well in advance as only so many people are allowed on this trail per day. This trail is also weather permitting and is open during late Spring to early Fall!
We have not done this hike yet, when we traveled to Yosemite in May 2019 the chains for Half Dome had not been put up yet due to snow!
For more information on Half Dome and the permits, check this link out!
2. Mist Trail
Distance: 3 miles, round trip
Elevation Gain: 1000 Feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Mist Trail is the first portion of the hike to Half Dome and does not require any permits. This trail passes by the incredible Vernal Falls which is why this hikes gets the name “Mist trail”. In Spring and early Summer, the waterfalls in Yosemite are in full force.
3. Nevada Falls Trail
Distance: 7 miles, round trip
Elevation Gain: 1900 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
This is technically a continuation of the Mist Trail. Once you reach Vernal Falls, you will continue along the trail towards Nevada Falls for a total of 7 miles round trip (including the 3 miles round trip to Vernal Falls). This is an incredible waterfall to see in person, we cannot recommend this hike enough!
4. Panorama Trail
Distance: 8.5 miles, one way
Elevation Gain: 3200 feet
Difficulty: Hard
Panorama Trail is one of the most strenuous hikes from the Valley floor to Glacier Point, but it is definitely worth it! This trail is a continuation of the Mist Trail and offers incredible views of Vernal Falls, Nevada Falls, Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls!
Once you reach Glacier Point Visitor Center at the top, you can take the shuttle bus back down to the Valley floor. Or take the shuttle bus up and hike down (making this an easier option).
5. The 4 Mile Trail
Distance: 4.8 miles, one way
Elevation Gain: 3200 feet
Difficulty: Hard
If you only have time for one hike, this is the one you have to do! This trail will take you from the Valley floor to Glacier Point Visitor Center. This trail offers incredible views of Yosemite Valley, Sentinel Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and Half Dome along the way.
Once you reach the top at the Glacier Point Visitor Center, you can take the shuttle bus back down to the Valley floor! (You can also shuttle bus up and then hike down which is much easier).
6. Taft Point
Distance: 2.2 miles, round trip
Elevation Loss: approx. 200 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Taft Point is one of the most photographed locations in Yosemite National Park. To reach Taft Point you have to first get to Glacier Point! This can be done via The 4 Mile Trail, Panorama Trail (both listed above) or the Shuttle Bus from the Valley floor.
One you reach Glacier Point, it is an easy 2.2 mile round trip hike (you will loose approximately 200 feet of elevation). This hike is spectacular at sunset!
7. Upper Yosemite Falls
Distance: 7 miles, round trip
Elevation Gain: 2600 feet
Difficulty: Hard
This trail is the oldest in the park and will take you right to the top of the tallest waterfall on the continent! This is a bucketlist hike for many and is well worth the effort to get to the top.
If you continue another 0.75 miles once you reach the top of the trail, it will take you to Yosemite Point! This point offers an incredible view of Yosemite Valley!
8. Mirror Lake
Distance: 2.2 mile, loop trail
Elevation Gain: 100 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Mirror Lake Trail is an easy loop hike that wraps around the beautiful Mirror Lake! This was a relatively popular hike but definitely worth checking out. This is a great spot to have a picnic on the Valley floor!
9. Sentinel Meadow and Cook’s Meadow Loop
Distance: 2.25 miles, one way
Elevation Gain: 100 feet
Difficulty: Easy
This Valley floor hike is very easy and popular amount visitors to Yosemite National Park! This trail offers views of Yosemite Falls, El Capitan and Half Dome. There are wooden docks that run through the wet portions of the trail, making this accessible as well!
10. Artist’s Point
Distance: 2 miles, round trip
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
If you are looking for the iconic shot of Yosemite National Park, aka Tunnel View, but do not want to share that moment with bus loads of tourists, then this hike is for you! Artist’s Point hike starts at the Tunnel View Parking lot and takes about an hour to complete.
Final Thoughts
Yosemite National Park has some of the most incredible hiking in the United States! This is one of our favorite national parks for many reasons and we are so excited to get back there someday and finally knock Half Dome off our bucket list!
Have you been to Yosemite National Park? Let us know in the comments below what your favorite hike was!
Until next time, Happy Travels!
Jake + Kaylee 🙂
Pin This For Later
