8 of the Best Hikes in Yosemite National Park for Breathtaking Views

Yosemite National Park is one of the most well-known in America. It’s perfect for a variety of activities, but one of the most popular is hiking. While it’s nearly impossible to find a trail that isn’t worth doing, there are still many that stand out. Here are eight of the best hikes in Yosemite National Park, according to travel bloggers.

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What to Pack for Hiking in Yosemite National Park

For more recommendations, read about my favorite outdoor gear and the best daypacks for women.

The 10 Hiking Essentials

Every hiker should always carry the ten essentials with them. These include:

1. Navigation systems: map, compass, and/or GPS
2. Sun protection: sunscreen and/or ballcap
3. Insulating layers: synthetic or down jacket, rain jacket, hat, gloves, and leggings
4. Illumination (flashlight or headlamp)
5. First-aid kit
6. Something to light a fire: lighter, waterproof matches, and/or fire starter
7. Repair kits and tools: pocket knife, duct tape, screwdriver, and/or scissors
8. Emergency shelter: tent, bivy, tarp, and/or space blanket
9. Nutrition: food for both meals and snacks
10. Hydration: water bottle, water treatment (LifeStraw or SteriPen), and water

Yosemite National Park Hiking Guides & More

• Trails Illustrated map: waterproof; provides a great overview of the park
• Hiking Yosemite National Park: a great book with details on even more of the best hikes in Yosemite
• Easy Day Hikes in Yosemite: a great resource for those who want easier, shorter hikes 
• Lonely Planet Guide to Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon
• Moon Guide: The Best of Yosemite

The Best Hikes in Yosemite National Park

According to eight travel bloggers, these are the best hikes in Yosemite National Park. Be sure to check out their sites to learn even more about Yosemite.

Clouds Rest 

With incredible views of Half Dome and the whole valley, Clouds Rest definitely deserves a spot at the top of the list of the best hikes in Yosemite National Park. Plus, unlike the ultra-popular Half Dome hike, you don’t need any permits to hike Clouds Rest.

The Clouds Rest hike is a challenge, at 12 miles round trip with 3,000 feet of elevation gain. Though the uphills can be quite strenuous, the trail isn’t technical – it’s just steep! Right before the summit, you’ll encounter a narrow ridge, which can be scary if you’re afraid of heights. But if you watch your step, you’ll soon be rewarded with seriously breath-taking views that make it all worth it.

You can start the Clouds Rest hike from a few different trailheads, but the most popular is Sunrise Lakes on Tioga Road. Since Tioga Pass closes in the winter, plan your hike between June and October. September will probably give you the best weather conditions, but will also be the most popular season. Try to start extra early in the morning to get a parking spot and avoid the crowds. Also, be sure to bring plenty of water (at least 3-4 liters) because you won’t find any good options to fill up along the way.

And bring a camera to capture the views of the entire Yosemite Valley surrounding you! While Half Dome gets all the hype, the summit of Clouds Rest offers a panoramic perspective of Yosemite that truly can’t be beat.

Lower Yosemite Falls

If you do just one hike in Yosemite National Park, make it the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail. It is an easy trail with a big payoff. Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in North America. It is divided into three sections – the Upper Yosemite Falls (1,430 feet), the middle cascades (675 feet), and the Lower Yosemite Falls.

The Lower Falls are shorter, but at 320 feet, still enormous (Niagara Falls are only 188 feet). Although the trail is named after the Lower Falls because it goes to the base of the falls, there are actually stunning views of both the Upper and Lower Falls and Yosemite Creek from the trail.

The trail is on a fairly flat paved path that is suitable for strollers. Dogs on a leash are also allowed. The 1.0-mile loop leaves from the Lower Yosemite Falls Trailhead, which is stop 6 on the shuttle. If you are coming from the park’s Visitor Center in Yosemite Valley, walk along the bike path to get to the trailhead. The entire loop only takes about half an hour.

For the best views of the falls, walk the loop in a clockwise direction. It is worth noting that the falls are dramatic in spring and early summer. In fact, the footbridge over Yosemite Creek near the base of the falls is usually wet (and can be slippery) at this time. Be warned – you are likely to get wet too. However, from late July or early August until October, the falls are often completely dried up.

Mist Trail & John Muir Loop

Yosemite is among the very best US National Parks for diverse and inclusive hiking trails. Inside Yosemite Valley alone you can take on multiple short and easy or long and challenging hikes.

Half Dome is the undoubted star attraction, but since only 300 hikers per day can summit, getting a permit is down to luck and the window is just 4 months long. 

So what is the best alternative to Half Dome if your luck isn’t in or you visit in shoulder season?

The incredibly popular and beautiful Mist Trail and John Muir Loop; easily one of the best hikes in Yosemite National Park.

Half Dome hikers ascend via this same trail, so you will effectively be hiking almost halfway to Half Dome, soaking up remarkable Yosemite Valley views and getting up close with Yosemite’s extraordinary granite domes.

Mist Trail is Yosemite’s signature and most heavily trafficked hike. The steep, tough, and lung-busting trail gains over 2,200 ft in just 3.5 miles, passing by picturesque Vernal Fall and culminating at the summit of Nevada Fall.

Vernal Fall is a common turnaround point, which means the hike through the forest and up improvised steps to Nevada Fall becomes less busy. The trail becomes exposed and even steeper near the summit, so plenty of water and sunscreen are a must on warmer days.

Rather than turn around and head back down the same way via Mist, many hikers prefer to cross the top of Nevada Fall and follow the John Muir loop back to the trailhead.

At 4.5 miles one way, John Muir is a longer and more gradual descent but it includes spectacular (and unmissable!) views over Liberty Cap, Half Dome, and Nevada Fall.

The best time to hike the super-scenic 8-mile round trip Mist and John Muir loop trail is between May and June when waterfalls are in full flow and conditions are safe. By Fall, the stunning waterfalls will be little more than a trickle.

During peak season, Mist Trail will be extremely busy so aim to begin your hike as early as possible. Aim for earlier than 7 am if possible.

North Dome

The hike to North Dome is one of the most underrated and best hikes in Yosemite. If you think you’ve seen a great view of Half Dome, wait until you get to the top of North Dome. From the granite slab that is North Dome, you’ll be looking directly across the valley at the face of Half Dome, which towers above the distant valley floor. So, be sure to add this one to your Yosemite itinerary.

Plus, this hike is a bit of a drive from the valley, which means you’ll leave the crowds of tourists that flock to other trails in the park behind.

There are multiple ways to get to the top of North Dome. The first, which is not recommended for day hikers, is to climb from the floor of the valley. This route is a brutal climb up the wall of the valley, ascending 5,500 feet over the course of the hike, which is 14 miles round trip.

For an easier hike, drive out of the valley along Highway 120 towards Tioga Pass and head to the Porcupine Creek Trailhead. It’s worth noting that this trailhead is inaccessible from October to May, give or take a few weeks depending on the year.

From here, it’s a more reasonable 9-mile hike, with 2,000 feet of elevation gain. Unlike most trails from the Yosemite Valley, this trail descends down to North Dome, and ascends on the way out. You’ll pass through open meadows, wooded areas with babbling brooks, and eventually you’ll come to North Dome, which is a rounded slab of granite that juts out over the valley. You’ll have a bit of a steep descent immediately before you get there, so make sure to wear hiking boots for traction.

At the top, take some time to marvel at the unobstructed view of Half Dome. Grab a snack and some water, get out your camera and take some pictures, and head back the way you came when you’re ready. Remember – you’ll be climbing to get back to the parking lot!

Sentinel Dome

Important Note: For construction, Glacier Point road will be entirely closed in 2022. In 2023, expect 30-minute delays.

Sentinel Dome trail is one of the best hikes in Yosemite National Park. The Sentinel Dome trail does not begin in Yosemite Valley but begins on the road to Glacier Point (approximately 3 miles from the Glacier Point parking lot) and 30 miles from Yosemite Valley. This 2.2-mile (3.5-kilometer) out and back hike is an easy hike suitable for all ages and ascends approximately 456 feet.

Although this trail is heavily trafficked, it was one of our favorite hikes near Yosemite Valley. As this is a popular trail, it is best experienced early in the morning as parking is limited at the trailhead and you can avoid most of the crowd.

The main reason this hike is so spectacular is the views. At the top of Sentinel Dome, you will be rewarded with some of the best views available in Yosemite Valley. Icons such as El Capitan and Half Dome are amongst a few of the breathtaking rock formations visible from Sentinel Dome. The 360-degree views will leave you awe-inspired, and you will probably be spending a lot more time at the top of Sentinel Dome than you originally planned. Be prepared and come with breakfast or a snack to relish in the views for longer.

From Sentinel Dome, you can continue your journey onward to Glacier Point (approximately 2 miles round trip) or continue onward to Taft Point via the Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Loop (additional 2.9 miles) through the evergreen forest for more expansive views over Yosemite Valley. 

Tenaya Lake

If you plan to visit the attractions around Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park, be sure to allow for time to hike the Tenaya Lake Trail! While the pretty alpine lake is visible from the road, hiking the trail allows you to savor the beauty of the lake up close, plus appreciate the awesome setting.

The loop around Tenaya Lake is about 2.5 miles in length. The lake is located at an altitude of over 8,000 feet, so bear in mind that this is a high-elevation hike. There is almost no elevation gain on the hike itself, but in the spring and early summer, fording the western part of the lake may be challenging.

If water levels are too high for comfort or safety, when you hit the outlet, keep walking along the edge until you are able to get back onto the trail or safely cross.

There are parking lots at both ends of the lake, plus you can park on the shoulder along Tioga Road where it is wide enough to accommodate your car. On the north side, there is no trail and you will be walking along the side of Tioga Road.

The main reasons to do this hike are the beautiful scenery and photo ops, making it one of the best hikes in Yosemite. The views of the mountains, and the reflections in the lake, are outstanding. It is a family-friendly hike, perfect if you are traveling with kids. Look for birds and wildlife as you walk. The hike is popular, but this part of Yosemite is not usually as crowded as Yosemite Valley.

Tioga Road is open generally between late May and some time in November. Remember to use bug spray; there may be mosquitoes at the lake, especially early and late in the day.

Vernal Fall

The hike to Vernal Fall is one of the most popular and best hikes in Yosemite for good reason. The 2.5-mile out-and-back trail starts in Eastern Yosemite Valley and is best accessed through the John Muir Trail and Mist Trail.

The trail starts off flat and easy with a paved road leading to the base of Vernal Fall and the Vernal bridge. From here the Mist Trail will take hikers over 600 steps to the top of Vernal Fall. The billowing spray from the waterfall cloaks the trail with a cloud-like presence—it’s almost impossible to hike this trail without getting a little wet, especially when the waterfall is roaring. Because of this, there’s a bit of moss on the rock steps, making them slippery.

On a sunny day, look up for a chance to see a rainbow emerging from the waterfall. Those who make it to the top will be rewarded with views of the incredible valley below. Nearby, giant slabs of granite next to bright blue pools invite hikers to sit down for a picnic and a bit of sunbathing, a classic thing to do in Yosemite.

Intrepid hikers can continue to Nevada Fall, another 1.5 miles along Mist Trail. Like Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall flows from the Merced River. Nevada Fall stretches nearly 600 feet and is one of the fullest waterfalls in the park come springtime. For the best experience, consider hiking the Vernal and Nevada Falls in early summer or late spring. 

Yosemite Valley

Yosemite Valley Loop is without a doubt a hike that should be on your Yosemite National Park itinerary. This loop can be very long, up to 11 miles or more if you take side trails, but you can easily cut it down and hike for however long you want. There is a shorter trail that creates a 7-mile loop as well. This trail stays at a low elevation within the valley, and much of this trail is paved, making it perfect for the whole family!

Since this loop travels through the whole valley, you can start at almost any parking spot within the valley. If you are staying within the valley, this trail is also accessible from Yosemite Lodge and several campgrounds, including Camp 4 and Yellow Pines.

This famous hike goes by some of Yosemite’s best waterfalls. Two worth checking out are Lower Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Falls, which have trails leading right up to the base. Upper Yosemite Falls is also visible from much of the trail.

You will also be able to take in all the magnificent rock formations of Yosemite such as El Capitan and Half Dome from different points on the trail. The best part of this trail is that sections are uncrowded, a rarity in such a popular park, making it a great way to find solitude on your trip. For an even more peaceful hike, arrive at Yosemite at sunrise, and take in the way the early morning sun lights up the granite!

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