Best Trails in Yosemite National Park

I always think the assessment of the trail difficulty is on the safer side but nope this is definitely difficult! Did the hike yesterday and I’m just laying down all day today mostly due to the snow. For the most part the stairs near the waterfalls are difficult but doable, what got me was the last 1.5miles to half dome. It’s a few feet of heavy snow and my legs were completely gassed. Follow the previously made foot path so you don’t get lost some people have gone their own way but it’s easy to tell the tracks of a couple versus a larger group. I reached a nice open point and turned back, others were using the snow to go actually up half dome or to where the cables start when in season but I had used a lot more water than I thought and was beyond tired from the snow and decided it was safer to take in my view but stop about a half mile to the dome and turn around. On the way down I did lose the trail at times, there are downed trees and a lot of run off around the half dome fork area so it can be difficult to find the trail but if you actually follow the run off you can find the path. Make sure to pack sun screen and polarized sunglasses it’s very bright in the snow and I am very burned from where I missed applying, even my lips were burned. The path clockwise from Nevada falls is closed so I had to take the steps back down and that was hard but it being later in the day there weren’t people going up the path to battle against so that was nice. The whole thing from where I turned around with my mini detours took 9hours for the 17.25miles and 4295ft in elevation I hiked. I would love to do this again with no snow

Great hike!

gorgeous trail area. strongly commented.

Great hike. There were some steep slopes but then plenty of steady paths afterwards. Careful and don’t slip on the rocky paths. Theres a great place to take a break and the kids can get cooled off. The views were worth the hike. Went on a Thursday and it was a little busier than expected but a great place to get away from the world.

The drive was a little weird though since you drive for a while on the private looking road. Careful for oncoming cars as the 16 mile road can be a little tight.

Did this hike today. I wouldn't say you need to be an experienced hiker because all trails are well marked and easy to traverse. You do need to be physically fit though as it is continually steep... both difficult getting up and slippery/hard on the joints coming down. My partner and I are fairly fit and did it in 6 hours...that was with a lunch stop and heading down JMT after Nevada Falls but then turning back because it was too wet (snow is melting!). Go early. It was so busy on our way back down at 1pm.

Very easy hike just slightly uphill to Bridalveil Fall. If you take the Valley Loop Trail to the left there are some additional views of the fall and creek - and you won’t get quite as wet. Visited in April when it was at full flow.

Awesome awesome hike. Pretty strenuous - especially if you are continuing all the way to Nevada Falls as we did. Incredible vistas of the area along Glacier Point and Liberty Cap, more great waterfall views than you can shake a stick at, lovely flowing creeks. I’m glad we left early in the morning because by the afternoon the trail up to Vernal was crammed with hikers. I suspect most of them didn’t continue past Vernal, which is a big mistake. One of my very favorite hikes!

Awesome awesome hike. Pretty strenuous - especially if you are continuing all the way to Nevada Falls as we did. Incredible vistas of the area along Glacier Point and Liberty Cap, more great waterfall views than you can shake a stick at, lovely flowing creeks. I’m glad we left early in the morning because by the afternoon the trail up to Vernal was crammed with hikers. I suspect most of them didn’t continue past Vernal, which is a big mistake. One of my very favorite hikes!

beautiful snow blocking last bit of trail 4/12/19

Nice easy hike. Beautiful view of falls and light mist.

We - a team of two adults and 3 kids ages 11, 13, 15- did it today (4/17/19) in 5 hrs. We pushed pretty hard and had some moderate snow on the top 1/5 of the trail. It was spectacular. Great views, pretty heavy traffic. Definitely recommend.

Mist Trail is now open. JMT down is also open. The JMT down from Vernal is a bit challenging in a few spots, but totally doable. There were children going down, but some downed trees and snow in some parts makes for a couple challenging steps.

Amazing views of nearly the entirety of Yosemite Valley. I kept going to the base of Upper Yosemite Falls then turned around. Early spring so it was definitely worth it.

Easy loop to a pretty spectacular falls. Springtime visit so the falls were really running strong.

Beautiful trail to an even more beautiful waterfall. With a rainbow to set the scene. Breathtaking.

Too short! Lots of mist. Liked the view of the falls from a distance better, but still cool.

Views are amazing! Not sure if it was because of the snow or the debris that’s fallen, but it was hard to follow in places. I don’t think I actually ended up doing this trail but whatever I did was good!

Awesome trail. Beautiful scenery! Easy trail to follow and hike. Plenty of signs to help guide the way to all points of interest. We hiked from the parking lot to near the top. We ran short on time. Had to make the bus back. Alot of snow at the top of the trail. Kids had a blast. Plenty of places to sit and relax and take in all the beautiful trees! I would recommend getting an early start. To give yourself plenty of time to explore and also less hikers.

Easy and scenic

I didn't start until 1 pm. I'm a moderately active women and I found it very challenging but doable if I paced myself. It took me 3.25 hrs to reach the top and another 2.5 hrs to get down. Did I mention I paced myself? I slipped a couple times on rocks coming down so I was more careful after that. Some spectacular views and really cool to be so up close to the falls. It's Misty near the falls and I kept hearing thunder but it was just the roar of the falls

All though Yosemite is a beautiful place for hiking and camping it’s not for the faint of heart. If you don’t like heights this isn’t for you. Several trails to choose from and each trail offers a different view. I hike mostly by myself and I prefer it that way so I can take everything in around me. Lots of good people to meet along the trails. Great camping spots! Take the proper provisions, first aid and clothing. Check the weather before you head out on the trails weather can change quickly. Be safe

This is a nice scenic trail that is good for a quick waterfall admiration. we did this trail after setting up camp at Wawona campground, to get to know the area.

here in late April. huge water!

Fun hike. Pretty steep especially at the end. Super fun hiking up granite stairs in the mist. Still a little snow on the ground in places.

Short hike, great spot to get away from the crowds at tunnel view.

Easy hike. Beautiful and scenic. No waterfalls but beautiful creeks and it is not easily trafficked. Watch for the trail close to halfway, you may have to hike up the side of the hill during this season to stay dry, but it’s fun! Great recovery hike

great hike. about 6.25mi from hotel and back via the loop around the "lake." Trail goes for a ways past the lake and it's really nice and quiet back there. took the north trail (non paved section leaving from edge of hotel parking lot) and passed some nice falls early on. got to lake which is not much more than a wide wet area of the river but still beautiful and great views on the way and past it. Continued along north side of river and back around passing by the beginning of the snow Creek trail. The Southside trail loses its trail like quality and you are walking through a bit of a stream (kids thought this was the most fun part) but eventually finds the trail again. Nothing crazy deep or difficult, but can get above the ankle at parts so navigate wisely.
all in all a great round trip, relatively flat and beautiful scenery and river. we loved it.