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Yosemite Falls
Follow the 1-mile Lower Yosemite Fall loop for a view from the footbridge below the last drop. The eastern side has the gentler approach. Take it slow on the western side near the bridge, which can be icy in winter, and expect mist when the falls are flowing hard.
More about Yosemite Falls2
Cook’s Meadow Loop
Walk a flat 1-mile loop on a mix of paths and boardwalk. Start near Yosemite Village or the lower falls and look for Half Dome and Yosemite Falls across the open meadow. Stay on the boardwalk where it crosses wet ground.
More about Cook’s Meadow Loop3
Glacier Point
Take the paved path from the Glacier Point parking area for a high view across Yosemite Valley and toward Half Dome. It’s about 300 yards one way with a gentle incline. Use this short walk when Glacier Point Road is open and you want a big view without a long climb.
More about Glacier Point4
Mariposa Grove
Take the 0.3-mile Big Trees Loop from the Mariposa Grove Arrival Area for a flat mix of pavement, packed dirt and boardwalk past the Fallen Monarch. Check the shuttle before leaving. When it does not run, the approach from the public parking area adds about 2 miles each way.
More about Mariposa Grove5
Bridalveil Fall
The walk from the parking area to the base is about half a mile round trip on a paved trail with a short incline. You get close enough to feel the spray at high water. View it from the path, especially when mist leaves rocks slick.
More about Bridalveil Fall6
Yosemite Valley Swinging Bridge
Take the mostly flat, paved walkway from the Swinging Bridge Picnic Area to the fixed footbridge in Yosemite Valley. Look up the Merced River toward Yosemite Falls. Parking is limited, but the same paved path connects to Yosemite Valley Lodge and Cook’s Meadow.
More about Yosemite Valley Swinging Bridge7
Mirror Lake (California)
From the Mirror Lake trailhead, follow the paved road to the lake and back for about 2 miles round trip. The far end of the road climbs more sharply. The longer trail around the lake uses rougher and unpaved ground. When the water is low, the route still gives you views up Tenaya Canyon.
More about Mirror Lake (California)8
Happy Isles
From the Happy Isles shuttle stop, take the accessible path and fen boardwalk into a quiet wetland near the nature center. The boardwalk gets you close to ferns and sedges. Return the same way if you want a short walk away from the busier trailheads.
More about Happy Isles9
McGurk Meadow
Walk downhill from the McGurk Meadow trailhead for the old cabin and open meadow. The route is about 1.6 miles round trip with roughly 150 feet of climbing on the way back. There can be wildflowers in early summer, and you can turn around at the cabin if you prefer.
More about McGurk Meadow10
Wawona Meadow Loop
Use the paved approach from the Wawona Hotel area and turn onto the old fire road. Try a short out-and-back around the first part of the meadow. The full loop is 3.5 miles on uneven ground, so go only as far as feels easy if you are saving time for the grove.
More about Wawona Meadow Loop11
Wawona Swinging Bridge
From the end of Forest Drive, walk about 0.3 mile on a mostly flat trail to a suspended footbridge over the South Fork Merced River. This is the Wawona bridge, well south of the similarly named Yosemite Valley landmark. Return the same way for a 0.6-mile trip.
More about Wawona Swinging Bridge12
Soda Springs
From the Lembert Dome parking area, take the short route past the river and across Tuolumne Meadows to the small wooden enclosure. You can see where naturally carbonated water bubbles up. Add nearby Parsons Lodge if you have time and want to make the same walk a little longer.
More about Soda Springs13
Olmsted Point
Take the short walk from the Tioga Road pullout for a view of Half Dome from the east. It’s about a quarter mile each way, with slopes and granite underfoot. You can also get a view right at the pullout if the approach feels too steep.
More about Olmsted Point14
Tenaya Lake
Use the east end of Tenaya Lake for a short paved path toward lake and granite views. The final stretch to the picnic beach is unpaved. Choose the paved viewpoint if you want the easiest outing, and check Tioga Road access when traveling outside summer.
More about Tenaya Lake15
O’Shaughnessy Dam at Hetch Hetchy
Walk from the parking area to the dam for a short view of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and the granite walls above it. In a good flow, look across for Tueeulala and Wapama Falls. Turn back at the far end of the dam if you want the easy walk before the tunnel and longer trails.
More about O’Shaughnessy Dam at Hetch Hetchy
