When it comes to national parks, Yosemite should be a top three on any outdoor adventurers list. It has great camping, rock climbing, and is an outdoor photographers dream come true. But most importantly, the hiking trails in Yosemite are to die for.
While Yosemite does have ample opportunities for backpacking through the wilderness (with a permit) and doing multi day hiking adventures, that’s not what I’m going to talk about here. This page is for those of us who are casual hikers, weekend campers, and just want to see some cool stuff without buying a whole new set of gear from REI.
On a two day trip to Yosemite, my group and I found plenty of easy to moderate hikes with stunning views that are accessible for multiple activity levels. So without further ado, here are my favorite hiking trails in Yosemite!
Note: During high season, you may need a reservation to access Yosemite National Park. You can always check current rules and regulations on their website here.
Lower Yosemite Falls Trailhead
Lower Yosemite Falls is a super easy, out & back trail that ends at Yosemite Falls. It is probably one of the most accessible hikes in Yosemite. You can access it from the valley floor in the main part of the park. It is only a 0.5 mile walk from the trailhead, or 1.5 miles from Yosemite Village. This is a great hike to do with kids or family members who are not up for a long hike with elevation changes.
Wawona Meadow Loop Trail
Wawona Meadow loop is another hike that can be accessed from the valley floor. It is an easy, 3.5 mile loop that takes about 2 hours roundtrip depending on how long you stop to take pictures (which you will want to!). Views from this loop include Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, & El Capitan. It is difficult to find a parking spot here as it is the busiest section of the park.
BONUS: You can take your dog on this trail!
Mirror Lake Trail
This is an easy to moderate 2.4 mile trail that goes to, surprise, Mirror Lake! You could do it as an out and back or a loop. We did it as a loop and took the paved road leading to some of the campsites on the way back. It is mostly flat, with a small amount of elevation on the way to Mirror Lake. Once you arrive at the lake there are lots of boulders to sit on and enjoy the view. We brought lunch in our backpacks, had a picnic, and enjoyed the sunshine.
Grizzly Giant Loop Trail
Off into the trees! One of my favorite parts of Yosemite was wandering through the Sequoia groves. There are four main trails that range from easy to strenuous where you can see the giant Sequoias. My group did the 2 mile Grizzly Giant Loop Trail which is rated as a moderate hike by National Parks Service (I would say it’s easy-moderate). On this trail you can see some famous trees in the state of California like the Bachelor, Three Graces, and the 3,000 year old Grizzly Giant. To get here you can park or take the shuttle to the Mariposa Grove arrival area, and follow the signs. This is a well marked trail and so worth the visit!
Important note: No shuttle service is available from December 1st through March 30th.
Chilnualna Falls Trailhead
Last but certainly not least, is Chilnualna Falls Trail. This was the most difficult hike we did on our two day adventure, but was so fun! This is a moderate to hard hike with quite a bit of elevation. It is an out and back 8 mile trail that ends at the beautiful Chilnualna Falls. The falls are pretty high up and an amazing panoramic view of Yosemite awaits you at the end. This trailhead has plenty of parking and is way less crowded than the hikes near the valley floor. Please bring plenty of water!
Tip: This hike is all uphill on the way in, hiking boots are highly recommended. My go to boots are Merrell’s Moab 3 Mid.
I hope this helps you take in all the wonder that Yosemite has to offer. If you have more specific questions about hiking trails in Yosemite, use the contact form below or message me @paigeemcclintock on Instagram.
