Hiking Trails

In Yosemite you can traipse beside meadows on a glacier-carved valley floor or in the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias, then clamber beside thunderous waterfalls. How do you know which trail to hike? Start with our Trail Chart that asks you two simple questions.

Family-friendly trail to the base of Lower Yosemite Falls.

Hit the trail during your Yosemite vacation! Choose Yosemite National Park trails based on how easy or family-friendly they are.

Want to be a better hiker? Look no further. Here are some backcountry secrets that separate average campers from true wilderness experts.

Just a half day's drive south of Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are rewarding destinations for hikers of all ages and abilities.

Autumn in the mountains. Photo courtesy of Sierra Nevada Geotourism

East of Yosemite's high country, on the other side of the Sierra Nevada, lies a wonderland of lakes and waterfalls, alpine meadows, and geological oddities.

At the base of Wapama Falls. Photo by David Krause

The valley has an iconic rock formation called Kolana Rock, and Wapama Falls which flows year-round, yet relatively few people visit this area of the park.

Whether you want to get out of the car and do a little exploring, or you're planning a backcountry adventure on foot or horseback, we've got just the thing for you and your family.

Cathedral Peak Tent View. Photo by Grant Ordelheide

JMT hikers will walk past a plethora of photogenic scenes - Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Cathedral Peak, Trissider Peak and Columbia Finger.

Yosemite National Park is home to many tall mountains, trails are often loose, steep and dangerous (with little or no room for error).

The John Muir Geotourism Center, now closed, had a mission to enrich the natural and rural communities by inspiring people to explore, learn, share and preserve the values of the John Muir Legacy through innovative and creative programs.

Even if you live by the phrase “take only photos; leave only footprints” when you’re outdoors, it still might seem counterintuitive to pack out food scraps and toilet paper.

Hiking past Vernal Falls on the Mist Trail in Yosemite.

Starting from the Happy Isles on the valley floor, the challenging Mist Trail climbs a granite staircase beside Vernal Fall and on to Nevada Fall.

Illilouette Fall and Illilouette Gorge from the Panorama Trail

Few trails offer more eye candy than the Panorama Trail, which earns its name with unprecedented views of Yosemite's most famous landmarks.

yosemite-dome-scrambles-hikes-ordelheide

Head to these granite gems for big vistas and easy treks across rock that is full of geology lessons.

Stroll past Yosemite Falls, Tenaya Lake, and the Half Dome on these "bucket list" hikes in Yosemite National Park.

The John Muir Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail join together in the Sierra Nevada Mountains

Before you hit the trail, become familiar with these hiking terms.

Hiking down from Glacier Point on the Panorama Trail in Yosemite.

Find your perfect Yosemite Hiking Trail by answering a few questions, then see the Trail Guide for details.

Reese Witherspoon in the movie "Wild." Photo YouTube

The popular book and soon to be movie "Wild" takes a hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. 70 miles of the trail winds through the park including Tuolumne Meadows.

Snowshoeing in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias with Wildland Trekking

Go on an unforgettable hiking vacation. Wildland Trekking has a tour that fits nearly anyone who loves to hike in world-renowned, breathtaking landscapes.