Yosemite is home to some of the most iconic landscapes in the country, and while there are plenty of incredible viewpoints you can reach by car, the best way to experience the park is on foot with these seven hikes.
From towering waterfalls and alpine lakes to giant sequoias and granite summits, Yosemite’s trails offer something for every kind of adventurer. Whether you’re planning your first visit or you’ve been to the park dozens of times, these seven hikes belong on your Yosemite bucket list.
1. Half Dome
The ultimate Yosemite bucket-list hike
Few Yosemite adventures are as iconic as standing on top of Half Dome. The massive granite formation rises nearly 5,000 feet above Yosemite Valley, and reaching the summit is an unforgettable experience.
The hike is a serious undertaking, typically covering around 16 to 18 miles round trip depending on your route. Along the way, you’ll climb past Vernal and Nevada Falls, through Little Yosemite Valley and up toward the base of the famous Half Dome cables.
The final ascent involves climbing the steep granite using the cables installed on the face of Half Dome. It’s an exhilarating finish to an already challenging day, and the views from the top stretch across Yosemite’s high country and deep into Yosemite Valley.
Because of its popularity, hiking Half Dome requires a permit, and the hike demands preparation, fitness and careful attention to weather and trail conditions.
The payoff? Standing on top of one of the most recognizable rock formations in the world with Yosemite spread out below you.
Want to hike Half Dome? Lasting Adventures offers guided Half Dome trips with the permits, logistics, meals, gear and experienced guides taken care of.
→ Explore Half Dome Adventures
2. Mist Trail
Waterfalls, granite and one unforgettable climb
If you’re looking for the classic Yosemite waterfall experience, put the Mist Trail near the top of your list.
The trail follows the Merced River as it climbs through a granite canyon toward Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall. The lower section takes you toward the base of Vernal Fall, where the trail becomes a steep series of stone steps beside the rushing water.
And yes, the name is appropriate.
When water levels are high, spray from Vernal Fall can soak the trail and hikers making their way upward. It’s part of what makes the experience so memorable, but it also means you’ll want to come prepared with appropriate footwear and layers.
You can turn around after reaching Vernal Fall or continue higher toward Nevada Fall for a much bigger day on the trail.
Guide tip: Don’t think of the Mist Trail as just a waterfall viewpoint. The climb itself is part of the adventure, with towering granite walls, rushing water and increasingly impressive views as you gain elevation.
→ Hike the Mist Trail with us!
3. Clouds Rest
One of Yosemite’s biggest views
If Half Dome is Yosemite’s most famous summit, Clouds Rest might just have the view that surprises you the most.
The hike climbs high above Yosemite’s surrounding landscape before reaching a long, rocky summit with sweeping views in nearly every direction. From the top, you’ll have an incredible perspective of Half Dome, Yosemite Valley and the surrounding mountains of the Sierra Nevada.
At roughly 13 miles round trip, this is a strenuous day that requires a good level of fitness and preparation. But for hikers ready to put in the miles, Clouds Rest offers one of the best panoramic experiences in Yosemite.
There’s something particularly rewarding about looking across the landscape and realizing just how much ground you’ve covered.
Why hike Clouds Rest? You get the big summit experience, spectacular Sierra views and a completely different perspective of Half Dome.
→ Explore Clouds Rest
4. Cathedral Lakes
Alpine lakes beneath Cathedral Peak
Yosemite isn’t just granite cliffs and waterfalls. Head into the high country and you’ll discover alpine meadows, towering peaks and crystal-clear mountain lakes.
The Cathedral Lakes Trail is one of the best ways to experience this side of Yosemite.
Beginning in Tuolumne Meadows, the trail climbs through a beautiful high-elevation landscape toward Cathedral Peak and the Cathedral Lakes. The surrounding granite peaks make an impressive backdrop as you approach the lakes, where you can pause to take in the scenery before making your way back down.
This is a particularly beautiful hike in the warmer months when the high country comes alive with wildflowers and long days make it easier to spend time exploring.
Don’t overlook Tuolumne Meadows. While Yosemite Valley gets much of the attention, the high country offers an entirely different side of the park and is well worth exploring.
→ Explore Cathedral Lakes to Half Dome
5. Mount Hoffmann
Climb above the trees for a 360° Yosemite panorama
Looking for a summit that delivers huge views without the crowds of some of Yosemite’s most famous peaks?
Add Mount Hoffmann to your list.
Located near May Lake, Mount Hoffmann rises above the surrounding landscape and offers expansive views from its rocky summit. The trail takes you from the alpine setting around May Lake toward the summit, where you’ll gain a completely different perspective of Yosemite’s high country.
The final climb is steep and rocky, but reaching the top is worth the effort. From the summit, you can see across a huge portion of Yosemite and the surrounding Sierra.
It’s the kind of hike that reminds you just how massive Yosemite really is.
Our favorite part? The summit gives you a true 360° perspective, with granite peaks and wilderness stretching in every direction.
→ Join us for a Mount Hoffmann day hike!
6. Sentinel Dome & Taft Point
Two iconic viewpoints. One incredible adventure.
Why choose between two of Yosemite’s most spectacular viewpoints when you can visit both?
The Sentinel Dome and Taft Point hike takes you along the Glacier Point Road area to two very different but equally impressive destinations.
First, climb Sentinel Dome for sweeping 360° views across Yosemite. From the top, you’ll have views of Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Valley and the surrounding Sierra Nevada.
Then head toward Taft Point, where dramatic granite cliffs drop away toward Yosemite Valley. From the overlook, you can look across at El Capitan and take in one of the most impressive perspectives of Yosemite’s famous granite walls.
The combination makes this a fantastic way to experience some of Yosemite’s biggest scenery in a single hike.
Fall bonus: This area can be especially beautiful in autumn, when cooler temperatures, changing foliage and golden afternoon light give the landscape a completely different feel.
→ Explore Sentinel Dome & Taft Point
7. Tuolumne Grove
Walk among Yosemite’s giant sequoias
Not every great Yosemite hike needs to involve a massive summit or a full day of climbing.
For a completely different experience, head to Tuolumne Grove and walk among some of the park’s enormous giant sequoias.
The trail descends into the grove, where you’ll find towering trees that have been standing for generations. The scale of the sequoias is difficult to appreciate until you’re standing beneath them, surrounded by trunks that seem to disappear into the sky.
The hike back out is uphill, so don’t let the relatively short distance fool you. Still, compared with some of the bigger adventures on this list, Tuolumne Grove is a great option for visitors looking for a shorter hike and a chance to experience one of Yosemite’s most remarkable forests.
Good to know: The grove is especially peaceful compared with the busier areas of Yosemite Valley, making it a wonderful place to slow down and appreciate the quieter side of the park.
→ Explore Giant Sequoia Day Hike
How to Choose Your Yosemite Hike
With so many incredible trails, choosing just one can be tough. Here’s a quick way to narrow it down:
Looking for the ultimate Yosemite challenge?
→ Half Dome
Want waterfalls and classic Yosemite scenery?
→ Mist Trail
Want enormous panoramic views?
→ Clouds Rest or Mount Hoffmann
Dreaming of alpine lakes?
→ Cathedral Lakes
Want iconic granite viewpoints?
→ Sentinel Dome & Taft Point
Want to walk among giant sequoias?
→ Tuolumne Grove
And if you’re thinking, “Why choose just one?”, we completely understand.
Explore Yosemite With Lasting Adventures
The beauty of Yosemite is that there’s always another trail to discover. Whether you’re looking for your first Yosemite hike or you’re ready to tackle a bucket-list adventure like Half Dome, having an experienced guide can help you spend less time worrying about permits, logistics and trail planning and more time enjoying the park.
Lasting Adventures offers guided Yosemite day hikes, backpacking trips and multi-day adventures for hikers of all experience levels. Our guides bring years of experience in the park, along with the knowledge to help you make the most of your time on the trail.
You show up. We handle the details. You get to hike Yosemite.
→ Explore Yosemite Adventures with Lasting Adventures