Top 5 Hikes In Yosemite

It's not hard to see why Yosemite National Park is one of the most famous national parks in the United States. Yosemite boasts an abundance of outdoor adventure activities, hiking trails galore, rock climbing routes, spectacular waterfalls, breath-taking viewpoints plus modern amenities and facilities.

When we visited in the Fall of 2018, our aim was to see as much of the park as possible in the 2 full days we had. There's so much to do and never enough time to do it, so this guide is designed to give you the best bang for your buck on hiking trails for when you visit Yosemite National Park!

Glacier Point Hike

While you can drive to Glacier Point, I recommend hiking the 4 Mile Trail to Glacier Point. This way, you get to take in the spectacular views of Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls and ultimately Half Dome.

Distance: 7.7km one way (4.8mi)
Elevation Gain: 975m (3,200ft)
Difficulty: Hard

Mist Trail to John Muir Trail (Half Dome If Permitted)

This hike is a little easier and allows you to get up close and personal with some awesome waterfalls, Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls. Start at the Mist Trailhead and head to Vernal Falls first. From there head up to the top of Vernal Falls underneath Liberty Cap. From Vernal Falls, take the John Muir trail back down to make it a round trip! You can even combine this with a trip up Half Dome if you've applied for your permit.

Distance: 12.9km round trip (8mi)
Elevation Gain: 671m (2,200ft)
Difficulty: Moderate

Yosemite Falls Hike

While we didn't have the opportunity to do this hike, it is often rated as one of the top hikes to do in Yosemite NP. Starting near Camp 4 in the valley, head to the top of North America's tallest waterfall while taking in the views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome and Sentinel Rock

Distance: 11.6km (7.2mi) round trip
Elevation Gain: 823m (2,700ft)
Difficulty: Hard

Inspiration Point

One of the easier hikes in the park and a local tip we got from one of the rangers. Instead of staying at the wildly popular Tunnel View for sunset, head up to Inspiration Point to beat the crowds and enjoy the peace and quiet with one of the best views you'll ever see - straight down the Yosemite Valley, taking in Bridalveil Falls, El Capitan and Half Dome.

Distance: 4.2km round trip (2.6mi)
Elevation Gain: 300m (990ft)
Difficulty: Moderate

Olmstead Point to Clouds Rest

Another one that has been put on the "next trip" list is the Clouds Rest hike. While we did get to take in the views from Olmstead Point, it just gave us a taste of what this hike would be like. Unlike any other hike in the park, Clouds Rest hike takes you to the Clouds Rest viewpoint which looks down the Yosemite Valley from the east. This is the opposite view to almost all other hikes in the park. I highly recommend finishing this hike at Olmstead Point for sunset!

Distance: 23.3km (14.5mi)
Elevation Gain: 540m (1,775ft)
Difficulty: Hard

These are my top hikes to do in Yosemite National Park. We did most of these in the 2 days we spent in Yosemite and the others have been added to the "next-time" list with just how epic they looked from being in the park. Get out there, try one of these hikes and enjoy Yosemite National Park!

To see how these hikes could fit into your time in Yosemite, or for a sample itinerary, check out my recommended Yosemite NP 3 Day Itinerary!