Yosemite National Park

One of the most visited, most famous, and most gorgeous parks in the United States, Yosemite National Park is a must-see for anyone who loves the outdoors. Jaw-dropping granite cliffs, towering waterfalls, Giant Sequoia groves and alpine meadows are just some of the wonders awaiting anyone who wants to make the trip.

Whether you’re looking to scale the world-famous Half Dome or visit the Ahwahnee Hotel or you’re looking to find some solitude on the trails (or maybe some company on the High Sierra, John Muir, or Pacific Crest Trails), it’s all right here in Yosemite.

Here are some of our all-time favorite Yosemite hikes to get you started, otherwise have a great time exploring. You won’t be disappointed!

Bridalveil Falls

Distance: 0.5 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 20 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Sentinel Dome in Yosemite National Park

Distance: 2.2 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 500 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Taft Point in Yosemite National Park

Distance: 2.4 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 400 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Inspiration Point and Artists Point

Distance: 3 mi

Time: 2 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1300 ft

Difficulty: Moderate

Gaylor Lakes in Yosemite National Park

Distance: 4.8 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1250 ft

Difficulty: Challenging

Dog Lake and Lembert Dome

Distance: 4.6 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 900 ft

Difficulty: Moderate

Elizabeth Lake in Yosemite

Distance: 4.8 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 900 ft

Difficulty: Moderate

Wapama Falls

Distance: 4.8 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 800 ft

Difficulty: Moderate

Mount Dana in Yosemite National Park

Distance: 6.1 mi

Time: 6 hrs

Elevation Gain: 3150 ft

Difficulty: Strenuous

Cathedral Lakes

Distance: 7 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1101 ft

Difficulty: Moderate

Dewey Point (Summer and Winter Routes) in Yosemite National Park

Distance: 7.6 mi

Time: 5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1500 ft

Difficulty: Challenging

May Lake and Mount Hoffman

Distance: 7 mi

Time: 5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 2000 ft

Difficulty: Challenging

Chilnualna Falls

Distance: 7.6 mi

Time: 5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 2347 ft

Difficulty: Moderate

Mariposa Grove

Distance: 7.4 mi

Time: 5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1400 ft

Difficulty: Challenging

Upper Yosemite Falls and Yosemite Point

Distance: 7.6 mi

Time: 7 hrs

Elevation Gain: 3500 ft

Difficulty: Strenuous

North Dome and Indian Rock

Distance: 9.5 mi

Time: 3.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 933 ft

Difficulty: Challenging

Hiking Cloud’s Rest

Distance: 12.4 mi

Time: 6 hrs

Elevation Gain: 2800 ft

Difficulty: Strenuous

Ostrander Lake in Yosemite National Park

Distance: 12 mi

Time: 7 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1800 ft

Difficulty: Strenuous

Spillway Lake and Mono Pass

Distance: 12.5 mi

Time: 7 hrs

Elevation Gain: 2000 ft

Difficulty: Challenging

The Panorama Loop

Distance: 12.8 mi

Time: 8 hrs

Elevation Gain: 3124 ft

Difficulty: Strenuous

Pohono Trail

Distance: 13.8 mi

Time: 10 hrs

Elevation Gain: 5622 ft

Difficulty: Challenging

Young Lakes

Distance: 14.5 mi

Time: 8 hrs

Elevation Gain: 2650 ft

Difficulty: Strenuous

Half Dome via The Mist Trail

Distance: 14 mi

Time: 10 hrs

Elevation Gain: 4900 ft

Difficulty: Strenuous

Merced Lake via Glacier Point

Distance: 16 mi

Time: 9 hrs

Elevation Gain: 2969 ft

Difficulty: Strenuous

Vogelsang and Lyell Canyon in Yosemite

Distance: 22.8 mi

Time: 12 hrs

Elevation Gain: 2800 ft

Difficulty: Strenuous

North Rim Route – Yosemite National Park

Distance: 23 mi

Time: 16 hrs

Elevation Gain: 4800 ft

Difficulty: Expert