There’s no better way to get up close and experience Yosemite Mariposa County and the Sierra wilderness than by setting out on foot and hiking. Hiking is one of the top things to do in Yosemite, and when you slow down and commune with nature, you see things you might otherwise miss. Things like waterfalls, wildflowers and wildlife that you can find at any turn on Yosemite hiking trails.
Wherever you start, chances are you’re close to a number of great Yosemite hiking trails. Discover the best hikes in Yosemite from Half Dome hikes past Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall, to Yosemite hikes to lakes or through the ancient Mariposa Grove and more, there are so many trails in Yosemite National Park and Mariposa County, and so many excellent guide books and maps describing them that you’ll never be at a loss for a great Yosemite hike. And don’t forget to book an unforgettable place to stay when the sun sets and it’s time to pack it up and refresh yourself for another day of hiking in Yosemite. Because nothing beats the comfort of a warm fire when the day’s finished.
And don’t forget there are plenty of great hikes outside of Yosemite as well for you to explore.
- Lower Yosemite Falls HikeWhat do you do when you hear a waterfall? Most people’s first instinct is to look for the source of the sound, then figure out the best way to get […]Read More
- North Dome TrailNorth Dome is a good all day hike that culminates in a face to face view of Half Dome that it hard to beat anywhere else in the park. The […]Read More
- May Lake & Mount HoffmannBegin at the May Lake parking area, 1.75 miles (2.8 km) north of Tioga Road A short trail leads through a conifer forest and across granite slabs to reach May […]Read More
- Cathedral LakesTwo beautiful lakes on one trail with epic views from every angle. The trail climbs steadily to Upper Cathedral Lakes. Near the top of the climb, it passes a spur […]Read More
- Valley Floor LoopThis trail offers a rare opportunity in Yosemite Valley, it allows you to hike on a fairly level trail with some solitude. Some of the trail is near roads but […]Read More
- Tuolumne Grove Nature TrailFollow the Old Big Oak Flat Road—one of the first roads into Yosemite Valley—steeply down 0.8 mile (1.3 km) through sugar pines and white firs to the “Entering the Tuolumne […]Read More
- Ten LakesFollow this trail through conifers and across granite to cross a tributary of Yosemite Creek to Ten Lakes. Take care on this crossing early in the season when the creek […]Read More
- Soda Springs and Parsons LodgeWalk along the gravel road and pass the locked gate (signed Glen Aulin and Soda Springs). Soda Springs—carbonated, cold water bubbling out of the ground—is protected within a log enclosure. […]Read More
- Rancheria FallsThis trail continues past Wapama Falls to popular Rancheria Falls. This is an excellent hike to do in winter as there is usually still water in the waterfalls along the […]Read More
- Pohono TrailThe Pohono Trail rewards hikers with several viewpoints of Yosemite Valley from the south rim. East to west, these views include Taft Point, Dewey Point, Crocker Point, and Stanford Point. […]Read More