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The Best Hiking in Yosemite

Looking for the best hiking in Yosemite? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Yosemite. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top hiking spots in and near Yosemite

  • Mariposa County, California

    May Lake Trail

    4.0
    2.34 mi / 489 ft gain
    May Lake is a stunning, serene subalpine lake that rests at the base of Mt. Hoffmann. The May Lake turnoff is located four miles past Tenaya Lake. From the turnoff, it's 1.8 miles to the trailhead parking lot. During summer time, I will recommend getting to the parking area early to get a spot ...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Hike to Mt. Hoffman

    6 mi / 2140 ft gain
    The May Lake trailhead is at the end of a 2 mile unpaved road leading north from Tioga Road. The trailhead has pit toilets and bear lockers. (Please be sure to store any food, garbage, scented items, and empty coolers in these lockers while hiking!) After hiking an easy 1.3 miles, you'll arrive ...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Hike Mt. Hoffmann via the East Chute

    6 mi / 3000 ft gain
    This is a solid, day long trip. It is a great hike with a bit of a scramble on the way up to the summit massif and then again at the nearly 11,000-foot peak of Mount Hoffmann. You will have what John Muir described as his favorite view of Yosemite. You can look down onto Half Dome and across the ...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    May Lake to Glen Aulin Trail

    22.51 mi / 3261 ft gain
    May Lake to Glen Aulin Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Yosemite Valley, California.
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  • Mariposa County, California

    May Lake High Sierra Camp from Tioga Pass Road

    6.57 mi / 1040 ft gain
    May Lake High Sierra Camp from Tioga Pass Road Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Yosemite Valley, California.
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  • Mariposa County, California

    May Lake from Sunrise Lakes Trailhead

    6.9 mi / 1188 ft gain
    May Lake from Sunrise Lakes Trailhead is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Yosemite Valley, California.
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Tenaya Lake to May Lake to Mount Hoffman

    13.77 mi / 2992 ft gain
    Tenaya Lake to May Lake to Mount Hoffman Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Yosemite Valley, California.
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Sunrise Lakes Trail

    9.5 mi / 2303 ft gain
    Sunrise Lakes Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Yosemite Valley, California.
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Sunrise Lakes to Clouds Rest

    4.7
    18.93 mi / 1775 ft gain
    Start out at the Tenaya Lake Trailhead, where you can head directly onto the trail for Clouds Rest or you can branch off after 2.7 miles to Sunrise Lakes. This allows you to break up the hike, spend a night relaxing and help you have an early start back on the trail. Once re-connected to the Clo...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Explore Tenaya Lake, Yosemite NP

    4.6
    2.5 mi
    Tenaya Lake is located alongside Tioga Road in the park's Tuolumne Meadows region. There is a family-friendly trail that surrounds the lake. Though some spots along the trail on the western shore may require fording the waters, the 2.5-mile trip is an easy hike for all to enjoy. Many others pre...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Tenaya Lake Trail

    3.45 mi / 196 ft gain
    Tenaya Lake Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Yosemite Valley, California.
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Half Dome & Clouds Rest Loop

    22.7 mi / 7000 ft gain
    Start and end this loop from the Sunrise Lakes TH along the Tioga Road, and in between you'll travel over 26 miles through Yosemite's backcountry gaining and losing over 7,000 feet in elevation. Unlike typical mountain summit hikes where it's climb climb climb to the top and then descend, this w...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Murphy Creek Trail to Polly Dome Lake

    6.46 mi / 633 ft gain
    Murphy Creek Trail to Polly Dome Lake is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Yosemite Valley, California.
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  • Mariposa County, California

    John Muir Trail: Tenaya Lake to Reds Meadow

    59.44 mi / 10902 ft gain
    John Muir Trail: Tenaya Lake to Reds Meadow is a point-to-point trail where you may see local wildlife located near Yosemite Valley, California.
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Clouds Rest via Tenaya Lake

    5.0
    14.5 mi / 1775 ft gain
    The "younger" brother of the world famous Half Dome, Clouds Rest is in fact a solid 1,000 feet taller despite receiving significantly less attention. If you know about this hidden gem however, you're in luck. Starting out from the Tenaya Lake trailhead will save you crowds on the trail and the ...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Clouds Rest to Half Dome

    18.52 mi / 4000 ft gain
    Because this is not a loop, you will need to figure out a shuttle situation.  There are two options for this: 1. Drive your car to the Tenaya Lake Trail Head, and leave it parked there.  Once you reach the Valley you will be car-less, but then the next day you can take one of the free shuttles u...
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