Yosemite Valley is by far the most popular area of the park, attracting visitors from every corner of the workd. It is home to the most famous sights as we well as the largest crowds. The valley is about 7 miles long (and about 1 mile wide) and contains many great hikes such as the Mist Trail, which passes 2 spectacular waterfalls before continuing up to Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and El Capitan. The Merced river flows through the valley, and you can rent rafts to float down this gentle river, or just dip your feet in to cool off from the afternoon heat.
There are many great places to stay such as the famous Ahwahnee Hotel or Yosemite Lodge, and Curry Village is a great place grab a snack or some ice cream after a long day's hike. Be sure to check out the Visitor''s center while you''re here and take advantage of the free, eco-friendly shuttles with many destinations throughout the valley. If you are interested in camping, be sure to make a reservation early, as spots in first-come-first-serve campgrounds fill up quickly.
There are many great places to stay such as the famous Ahwahnee Hotel or Yosemite Lodge, and Curry Village is a great place grab a snack or some ice cream after a long day's hike. Be sure to check out the Visitor''s center while you''re here and take advantage of the free, eco-friendly shuttles with many destinations throughout the valley. If you are interested in camping, be sure to make a reservation early, as spots in first-come-first-serve campgrounds fill up quickly.
Trails
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Bridalveil Fall
A quick walk to a stunning waterfall, believed to be the home to the protector of Yosemite Valley
A quick walk to a stunning waterfall, believed to be the home to the protector of Yosemite Valley
Easy
0.2 mi
0.3 km
0.3 km
Lower Yosemite Falls
A quick stroll to see the tallest waterfall in Northern America crash down on the rocks below
A quick stroll to see the tallest waterfall in Northern America crash down on the rocks below
Easy
0.3 mi
0.5 km
0.5 km
Glacier Point
Drive to the best view in all of Yosemite. This 270-degree view of the Valley, Half Dome, and 3 Falls will amaze you.
Drive to the best view in all of Yosemite. This 270-degree view of the Valley, Half Dome, and 3 Falls will amaze you.
Easy
0.3 mi
0.5 km
0.5 km
Mirror Lake
An easy walk in Yosemite National Park with reflections of Half Dome and wildflowers all around.
An easy walk in Yosemite National Park with reflections of Half Dome and wildflowers all around.
Easy
2.5 mi
4.0 km
4.0 km
The Mist Trail - Vernal and Nevada Falls
Hike to two breath-taking waterfalls along Yosemite Valley's most popular hiking trails
Hike to two breath-taking waterfalls along Yosemite Valley's most popular hiking trails
Moderate
6.5 mi
10.5 km
10.5 km
Sierra Point
Sierra Point is an old viewpoint on the eastern end of Yosemite Valley from which you can see four waterfalls.
Sierra Point is an old viewpoint on the eastern end of Yosemite Valley from which you can see four waterfalls.
Difficult
1.4 mi
2.3 km
2.3 km
Upper Yosemite Fall Hike
Enjoy the thrilling views of looking down from the top of Yosemite Fall.
Enjoy the thrilling views of looking down from the top of Yosemite Fall.
Difficult
6.1 mi
9.8 km
9.8 km
Yosemite Point
A great viewpoint to provide fantatisc views of Yosemite Valley land features, including Half Dome and Lost Arrow Spire.
A great viewpoint to provide fantatisc views of Yosemite Valley land features, including Half Dome and Lost Arrow Spire.
Difficult
8.4 mi
13.5 km
13.5 km
The Panorama Trail
A mostly-downhill hike with views of Half Dome, Nevada Fall, Vernal Fall, Yosemite Falls and the Yosemite Valley
A mostly-downhill hike with views of Half Dome, Nevada Fall, Vernal Fall, Yosemite Falls and the Yosemite Valley
Difficult
8.9 mi
14.3 km
14.3 km
Trailspotting Half Dome, Yosemite National Park
Yosemite's world-class hike. Equal parts challenging and breathtaking, this is the one trail you'll never forget.
Yosemite's world-class hike. Equal parts challenging and breathtaking, this is the one trail you'll never forget.
Difficult
15.5 mi
24.9 km
24.9 km
Half Dome Hike
Yosemite National Park's iconic day hike, with stunning views over Yosemite Valley from the top of Half Dome.
Yosemite National Park's iconic day hike, with stunning views over Yosemite Valley from the top of Half Dome.
Difficult
15.7 mi
25.3 km
25.3 km
Guides
Hike to two breath-taking waterfalls along Yosemite Valley's most popular hiking trails
Enjoy the thrilling views of looking down from the top of Yosemite Fall.
A quick stroll to see the tallest waterfall in Northern America crash down on the rocks below
A mostly-downhill hike with views of Half Dome, Nevada Fall, Vernal Fall, Yosemite Falls and the Yosemite Valley
The highlight of Yosemite National Park offers waterfalls, mile-high cliffs, and beautiful meadows
A quick walk to a stunning waterfall, believed to be the home to the protector of Yosemite Valley
Drive to the best view in all of Yosemite. This 270-degree view of the Valley, Half Dome, and 3 Falls will amaze you.
Yosemite's world-class hike. Equal parts challenging and breathtaking, this is the one trail you'll never forget.
Yosemite National Park's iconic day hike, with stunning views over Yosemite Valley from the top of Half Dome.
Valley floor to Glacier Point
An easy walk in Yosemite National Park with reflections of Half Dome and wildflowers all around.
Solitude in Yosemite Valley
Community Trips
Finally... after 4 years in California I had a chance to do the classic Half Dome Hike!We started early, 5.45 AM, went up via the Mist Trail, and got on top 9.30 AM. There was hardly anyone (only one other hiker on top, passed a couple more on the way up).On the way down the herds were coming up, so we were...
Upper Yosemite Fall Hike - Yosemite National Park
Yosemite Village, California, United States
6.1 miles
6.1 miles
Yosemite Valley possesses one of the most beatiful scenary in the world and is particularly renowned for its spectacular waterfalls and giant rocks. Among them, Yosemite Fall is probably the most vistied place in the valley. While most people visit Lower Yosemite Fall only, Upper Yostemite Fall is definitely worthy to pay a visit at least once in a lifetime for its great views on the valley and surroundings. The hike to Upper Yosemite Fall...
Hike up Mist trail, down Muir trail. Long day!
On Friday we drove from Wawona down to the Valley and stopped at Glacier Point. The sky was clear and the views were amazing, as expected. A few of us (Me, my Dad, brother, Susan, and Cara) decided to hike down to the Valley along the Panorama Trail and meet the others down there. We started off on our 8.5-mile hike and immediately stopped every few seconds to take another picture, the views were...
A nearly 13 mile trail, on the Mist Trail, Panorama Trail, and Four Mile Trail in Yosemite National Park. Full write up at Modern Hiker.
What more could you ask for on a hike up Yosemite falls? Clouds? Wind? Rain? Hail? Snow?! Well, we got it all. It isn't the best idea to hike in shorts and a sleeveless shirt while it's snowing. Despite the poor conditions, the hike was great. There were 2 very steep climbs, but the wonderful views of upper Yosemite Falls and the valley were well worth it....
South Rim Up and Down - Yosemite Valley
Yosemite National Park, California, United States
13.0 miles
13.0 miles
This ultimate day hike of Glacier Point and Illilouette, Nevada and Vernal Falls is considered, in my opinion, the second toughest day hike, only next to the ultimate Half Dome hike, in Yosemite Valley in term of its distance, steepness and popularity . This hike takes you to Glacier Point and Nevada and Vernal Falls through Four Miles, Panorama and Mist Trails in one day of time. To hike it, you can either start from the trailhead...
Hiking Mist Trail to Vernal Fall is one of the most popular activity in Yosemite Valey during the summer time. However, some people might feel it difficult due to the steepness and tall and wet stairs of the trail at the final approach to Vernal Fall. Hiking down could be more challenged for those folks. Here is a alternative. Instead of hiking down from the same Mist Trail you came from, you...
Yosemite Valley is the must-visit site for all tourists who visit Yosemite National Park. The best way to enjoy the surrounding landscapes on foot would be a loop hike around the valley. The loops, below the rims, follows many of the Valley's first east-west trails and wagon roads. The smaller loop (Mirror Lake <-> El Capitan Bridge) is about 14 miles long. The bigger loop (Mirror Lake <-> Pohono Bridge) is about 19 miles long. You...
We left the car around 5:30 am and made it to the top before 10. The weather was great and the waterfalls were so full! We made it back down around 2, got a quick snack and then drove back to Stanford so we could take our finals the next morning.
Reviews
