Yosemite has a wide range of hikes of all lengthes and difficulties. While many of the most popular trails are very crowded, most of the park, especially north of the Tioga Road, is wilderness. The trails we cover here, for now, are located mostly along the Glacier Point Road, the Tioga Road, and within Yosemite Valley. Hiking distances given below are total, roundtrip distances unless otherwise stated. Difficulties are only a general guideline, for an adult in good condition, and do not take into account trail length.
(click map to open very large locator map of the hikes below)
Lembert Dome
Length
4.0 miles
Difficulty
Moderate
Trailhead
Lembert Dome parking area
This hike begins directly out of the parking area, off of the Tioga Road, 7.2 miles from the Tioga Pass Entrance. The trail is also the route to Dog Lake, until it branches to the right toward Lembert Dome after 1.2 miles. From there, it is another half mile to the trail up Lembert Dome. This gets quite steep and slippery toward the top, and is not advised for anyone with a fear of heights. After descending, turn left to return the way you came, or turn right to shortly cross the Tioga Road and follow along another path along the road. This is a loop option that shortens the total distance by over half a mile, but is not as scenic. The 4 mile distance above assumes returning the same way.
Mariposa Grove
Length
Up to 5.9 miles
Difficulty
Moderate
Trailhead
Mariposa Grove parking area
The Mariposa Grove is located just inside the South Entrance. Instead of turning left past the entrance station to continue into the park, turn right for two miles. This lot is often full during peak season, so the NPS operates a shuttle as well. To use the shuttle, park in the lot near the entrance station. The Mariposa Grove is Yosemite's largest sequoia grove, and also the most crowded. You can do any or all of the double loop trail. Covering it all will result in nearly six miles of hiking. There is also a tram tour through the grove, so don't expect a serene experience here. Those seeking more solitude should try the Tuolumne Grove, just off the Big Oak Flat Road on the Tioga Road. Of course, the best sequoia experiences are at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
Mist Trail
Length
Up to 5.0 miles
Difficulty
Difficult
Trailhead
John Muir Trail at Happy Isles
In May and June, during peak waterfall flow, it's hard to find a better hike in the park, or anywhere else. The hike begins from the Happy Isles shuttle stop, and follows the John Muir Trail rather steeply for the first mile to the bridge over the Merced River, where most people stop and the actual Mist Trail begins. For an indepth look at this amazing hike, see our Mist Trail page.
Panorama Trail
Length
5.0 miles one-way
Difficulty
Moderate
Trailhead
Glacier Point parking area
This hike starts from the Glacier Point parking area at the end of the Glacier Point Road and follows along the valley rim, offering nearly constant views like those found from Glacier Point, shown at left. This trail drops downward for five miles, passing Illilouette Falls at the two mile mark. At its end, it meets the John Muir Trail near the top of Nevada Fall. While you can return to Glacier Point, most people follow the John Muir Trail or Mist Trail down to the valley floor, making the very steep venture essentially all down hill. To do this, most people take the hiker's shuttle from the valley to Glacier Point. This is operated by the park concessioner DNC, and there is a fee for it.
Sentinel Dome
Length
2.2 miles
Difficulty
Moderate
Trailhead
Sentinel Dome/Taft Point parking area
This hike begins from the same point that the hike below to Taft Point does, a parking area along the Glacier Point Road 2.4 miles from Glacier Point. At the trail junction, turn right and head toward the obvious granite dome. This is the easiest way in the park to get on top of one of Yosemite's famous domes. The trail climbs relatively steeply over the granite to reach the dome's top at just over a mile.
Taft Point
Length
2.2 miles
Difficulty
Moderate
Trailhead
Sentinel Dome/Taft Point parking area
This hike begins from the same point that the hike above to Sentinel Dome does, a parking area along the Glacier Point Road 2.4 miles from Glacier Point. Instead of turning right and upward, turn left and head gently downhill. The trail leads mostly through the woods until it emerges onto granite near the valley rim. Taft Point itself is a slight rock overhang, protected by a small metal rail, that gives another great view over the valley and beyond. In the area are the "fissures", narrow cracks in the granite. The valley floor, 3,000 feet below, can be seen through them, probably proving a bit too much for anyone fearful of heights. Then again, the Glacier Point area in general is not for those with those fears.
Tenaya Lake
Length
3.0 miles
Difficulty
Easy
Trailhead
Tenaya Lake Picnic Area
This hike begins from the Tenaya Lake Picnic Area, located off of the Tioga Road 14.6 miles from the Tioga Pass Entrance. This is an easy walk along the shores of Tenaya Lake. Follow it for any distance, or take the trail all the way to the Tioga Road and use the Tuolumne Meadows Shuttle to return to the picnic area and your car.
