Spanning across more than 750,000 acres, the Yosemite National Park has been designated as a World heritage site. It has an amazing display of granite cliffs, streams, waterfalls, caves and groves. The Yosemite Valley is only about one percent of the overall national park.

The hikes available at Yosemite National Park are varied enough to suit anyone, whether you want a casual stroll to laborious hikes that require a lot of effort and strength. Day visitors can hike in areas like Yosemite Valley or Glacier Point. Other hiking areas include Wawona or Mariposa Grove, Tuolumne Meadows, Hetch Hetchy and Crane Flat or White Wolf. Some of the specific hikes that you can attempt at Yosemite Valley or Glacier Point are detailed below:

Hiking in Yosemite National Park: Yosemite Valley

- Bridalveil Fall is a 0.8 kilometer trip that takes about 30 minutes to complete. The trail is paved and leads to the base of the waterfall. You are likely to get sprayed a lot on this hiking trail.
- The Lower Yosemite Fall is a 1.6km round trip that is considered easy to accomplish. You can expect to be rewarded with a mesmerizing view of the upper and lower Yosemite Falls.
- Cook’s Meadow Loop is also about 1.6km trip that begins at the Valley Visitor Center. You can expect to see the half Dome, Glacier Point and the Royal Arches.
- Mirror Lake/Meadow is a round trip of 3.2km. You can also take the longer route that is about 8km but pets and wheelchairs are not allowed on this route. While the water is abundant in the Mirror Lake during summer and spring, the lake has water throughout the year.
- Valley Floor Loop is a moderately tough hike of around 20.9km if you complete the full loop. The trail covers Merced River on the El Capitan Bridge and the Bridalveil Fall. You will also come across Sentinel Rock, Cathedral Rocks, Three Brothers and Yosemite Falls.
- Four Mile Trail with a round trip of 15.5km, is a strenuous trip and so you need to be sure that you are fit enough to take this challenge.
- Panorama Trail of around 13.7km is extremely strenuous too and it does become even tougher during the winter months. But if you do decide to go on this hike, you shall be mesmerized with the panoramic view that you will be rewarded with.
- Upper Yosemite Fall, a trail of 11.6km, it is not to be underestimated due to the shorter distance. The trail becomes extremely tough after the Columbia Rock.
Glacier Point Road
- McGurk Meadow, Bridalveil Creek, and Dewey Point are hikes that can be covered in one day trip alone. Starting with the McGurk trail, it merges into the Dewey Point on the West and Bridalveil Creek on the East.
- Sentinel Dome and Taft Point is considered moderate in terms of difficulty. A round trip of 3.5km, you will be able to see the Taft Point and The Fissures.
- Mono Meadow to view of Mount Starr King is a strenuous hike that descends steeply into Mono Meadow.
- Ostrander Lake is also considered a strenuous hike and takes anywhere from 8 to 10 hours to complete. Starting with a gentle incline through forests and meadows there is a 1500 foot steep incline that opens the Yosemite Valley View.
- Glacier Point to Yosemite Valley is yet another strenuous hike where many are recommended to take the hikers bus one way.

Hiking in Yosemite National Park: Wawona and the Mariposa Grove

Wawona and the Mariposa Grove presents the possibilities of a mix of easy, moderate and strenuous hikes too. Some specific ones are the Wawona Meadow Loop, Swinging Bridge Loop, Wawona to Mariposa Grove, Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Alder Creek and the Chilnualna Falls.

Hiking in Yosemite National Park: Other Trails

Hetch Hetchy has hiking trails like the Lookout Point, Wapama Falls, Rancheria Falls, Smith Peak and the Poopenaut Valley.
Tuolumne Meadows offers hiking trails like Tuolumne Meadows: Soda Springs and Parsons Lodge, Lyell Canyon via the John Muir Trail, Elizabeth Lake, Gaylor Lakes, Cathedral Lakes, Mono Pass, Glen Aulin,
Dog Lake and Lembert Dome and Vogelsang High Sierra Camp.

When on a hiking trail it is recommended that you stay on the trial because shortcuts can cause erosion.Take pets and bikes only on the trails that allow them. Giving way to horses and mules when you are walking is expected on such hikes. For your own safety and health, carry a lot of water while hiking and make your safety your priority, since these trails are not patrolled all the time.

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