17 Easy Hikes in Yosemite Perfect for All Ages (Useful Tips+Maps)

Yosemite National Park, a true gem of the Sierra Nevada mountains, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. While the park offers a plethora of challenging trails for experienced hikers, there are also plenty of options for those seeking a more leisurely exploration.

In this blog post, we will unveil 17 easy hikes in Yosemite that showcase the park’s unparalleled beauty while being accessible to hikers of all ages and skill levels. These trails are perfect for families, beginners, or anyone who simply wants to take in the serene majesty of the great outdoors.

• Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km) loop
• Time: 30 minutes – 1 hour
• Elevation Change: 50 feet
• Trailhead: Lower Yosemite Falls Trailhead (shuttle stop #6)

This iconic trail is perfect for a leisurely stroll, offering breathtaking views of the towering Lower Yosemite Falls. The paved pathway meanders through a lush forest, leading to a viewpoint where you can feel the mist from the falls on your face.

The trail is especially spectacular in spring when the snowmelt swells the falls to their fullest.

Lower Yosemite Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in North America, with a total drop of 320 feet. The falls are fed by Yosemite Creek and flow year-round.

GOOD TO KNOW: Arrive early to avoid crowds, as this trail can get busy during peak hours.

PRO TIP: For a unique experience, visit the falls at sunset when the golden hues cast a warm glow on the cascades.

• Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km) loop
• Time: 30 minutes – 1 hour
• Elevation Change: None
• Trailhead: Lower Yosemite Falls Trailhead (shuttle stop #6)

This easy loop trail offers a leisurely walk through Cook’s Meadow, with stunning views of Yosemite Falls, Sentinel Rock, and Half Dome in the background. It is a particularly scenic spot for photography, especially during sunrise or sunset.

GOOD TO KNOW: Cook’s Meadow was named after James Mason Hutchings’ photographer, George Fiske Cook. It is a prime location to capture the changing colors of the landscape as the sun moves across the sky.

PRO TIP: Bring binoculars to catch a glimpse of Yosemite’s diverse birdlife, including Steller’s jays and black-headed grosbeaks.

• Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km) loop
• Time: 1 – 2 hours
• Elevation Change: 100 feet
• Trailhead: Mirror Lake Trailhead (shuttle stop #17)

This tranquil loop trail takes you to the shores of Mirror Lake, a seasonal body of water that offers stunning reflections of the surrounding granite cliffs. During the summer, the water can be low, creating a mirror-like surface perfect for capturing photos.

GOOD TO KNOW: Mirror Lake is not a year-round lake; it is more like a large pond that forms in the spring and early summer due to the melting snow.

PRO TIPS: The trail can get busy, so consider visiting early in the morning for a more peaceful experience. Pack a picnic and enjoy the serene beauty of the lake and its surroundings.

• Distance: 0.5 miles (0.8 km) round trip
• Time: 15 – 30 minutes
• Elevation Change: 80 feet
• Trailhead: Bridalveil Falls Parking Area (shuttle stop #2)

A short and sweet trail leads to the base of Bridalveil Falls, where you will feel the mist and hear the roar of the cascading water. The paved pathway offers stunning views of the waterfall framed by towering granite cliffs.

GOOD TO KNOW:  Bridalveil Falls got its name due to the way the water droplets resemble a bridal veil blowing in the wind.

PRO TIP: Wear a rain jacket to stay dry from the waterfall’s mist.

• Distance: 1.5 miles round trip
• Time: 1 – 1.5 hours
• Elevation Change: Approximately 400 feet
• Trailhead: Mist Trailhead

The Mist Trail offers a chance to experience the power and beauty of Vernal Fall up close. This trail will lead you through lush forested sections and take you to a bridge where you can feel the spray from the waterfall.

GOOD TO KNOW: Vernal Fall is named for the mist that surrounds it, creating an ethereal and enchanting spectacle for all who venture here. This trail is particularly popular during spring and early summer when the snowmelt feeds the waterfall, resulting in an impressive cascade.

PRO TIP:  The trail’s incline can be moderate at times. Also, be prepared for some slippery sections due to the mist.

• Distance: 2.5 miles round trip
• Time: 1.5 – 2 hours
• Elevation Change: Approximately 500 feet
• Trailhead: Tuolumne Grove Trailhead

The Tuolumne Grove Trail will lead you into the heart of a majestic sequoia forest, where trees that have stood for centuries inspire a sense of awe. The trail takes you downhill through a shaded forest, leading you to the impressive base of a giant sequoia known as the Dead Giant.

GOOD TO KNOW: The Tuolumne Grove is home to several giant sequoias, each with its own story to tell. The Dead Giant, named so due to a fire that affected it, highlights the natural cycles of life and decay within the forest ecosystem.

PRO TIP: While the hike down to the grove is enjoyable, remember that the return hike is uphill, so pace yourself accordingly.

• Distance: 2.5 miles loop
• Time: 1 – 1.5 hours
• Elevation Change: Minimal
• Trailhead: Tenaya Lake Parking Area (off Tioga Road)

The Tenaya Lake Loop Trail will lead you around the pristine shores of Tenaya Lake, where the crystal-clear waters reflect the surrounding granite peaks and lush forests.

If you decide to do the full loop then you will need to cross the lake’s inlet and outlet which are pretty easy to do in the summer, but it might involve getting your feet wet in the earlier part of the summer.

GOOD TO KNOW: Tenaya Lake is named after Chief Tenaya, the leader of the Ahwahneechee people who once inhabited the Yosemite Valley. This natural lake was formed by glacial action, leaving behind the stunning landscape you see today.

PRO TIP: Pack a picnic and spend some time by the lake’s shores after your hike. The scenic surroundings create the perfect backdrop for a leisurely meal.

• Distance: 2.8 miles round trip
• Time: 1.5 – 2 hours
• Elevation Change: Approximately 300 feet
• Trailhead: Lukens Lake Trailhead (off Tioga Road)

The Lukens Lake Trail will take you through pine-scented forests and open meadows to the peaceful shores of Lukens Lake. The mirrored waters of the lake reflect beautiful forests, creating a serene vista that feels like a hidden gem within Yosemite’s grandeur.

GOOD TO KNOW: Lukens Lake was named after Albert Lukens, a pioneer who helped construct the Big Oak Flat Road in the 1870s.

PRO TIP: Pack a blanket and some light snacks to enjoy a lakeside picnic, surrounded by the serene ambiance of Lukens Lake.

• Distance: 1.5 miles round trip
• Time: 1 – 1.5 hours
• Elevation Change: Minimal
• Trailhead: Lembert Dome Parking Area (off Tioga Road)

The Soda Springs and Parsons Memorial Lodge Trail take to Soda Springs. This natural attraction has drawn visitors for decades with its carbonated water. The trail culminates at the Parsons Memorial Lodge, an early 20th-century stone structure that provides insight into Yosemite’s past.

GOOD TO KNOW: Soda Springs is a carbonated spring, which means it contains naturally occurring carbon dioxide gas dissolved in the water, resulting in effervescence similar to carbonated beverages. Parsons Memorial Lodge was constructed in the early 20th century, and completed in 1915. It was built in memory of Edward Taylor Parsons, a nature enthusiast and conservationist who played a role in the early efforts to protect and preserve Yosemite.

• Distance: Short walk from the parking area
• Time: 30 minutes to an hour
• Elevation Change: Minimal
• Trailhead: Olmsted Point Parking Area (off Tioga Road)

The Olmsted Point Trail doesn’t require a long hike – just a short walk from the parking area. Yet, the rewards are immense. As you stand atop the granite expanse, you will be treated to panoramic views that encompass the iconic Half Dome, the rugged terrain of Tenaya Canyon, and the expansive Sierra Nevada wilderness.

GOOD TO KNOW: Olmsted Point is named after Frederick Law Olmsted, a landscape architect who played a crucial role in the early development of Yosemite National Park.

• Distance: Approximately 2 miles (or however much wondering you want to do)
• Time: 30 min – 1 hour
• Elevation Change: Minimal
• Trailhead: Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center

The Tuolumne Meadows Trail leads you through the heart of one of Yosemite’s most iconic landscapes. As you walk, you’ll be surrounded by sprawling meadows, vibrant wildflowers, and the gentle flow of the Tuolumne River.

• Distance: 300 Yards
• Time: 5 minutes
• Elevation Change: None
• Trailhead: Glacier Point Parking Area

Start at the Glacier Point parking area and enjoy a leisurely wheelchair-accessible stroll to the Glacier Point railing, where you look down on Yosemite Valley (3,200 below!) and east toward Half Dome and the High Sierra.

• Distance: Approximately 2.2 miles (3.5 km) round trip
• Time: 1.5 – 2 hours
• Elevation Change: Minimal
• Trailhead: Sentinel Dome Trailhead

The Sentinel Dome Trail gets you to a vantage point and lets you gaze upon the iconic granite peaks of El Capitan and Half Dome, while the verdant expanse of Yosemite Valley spreads out beneath you, seemingly endless. The dome’s elevation of over 8,100 feet elevates your perspective to new heights of appreciation.

• Distance: Approximately 2.2 miles (3.5 km) round trip
• Time: 2 – 3 hours
• Elevation Change: Minimal
• Trailhead: Taft Point Trailhead

The Taft Point Trail begins with a gentle walk through a pine forest. Upon arriving at Taft Point, you will be standing on the edge of a vertigo-inducing precipice, gazing across the vastness of Yosemite Valley. The iconic El Capitan and the cascading Bridalveil Fall create a dramatic backdrop, while the distant Half Dome stands as a testament to nature’s artistry.

GOOD TO KNOW: The point itself has sheer drop-offs. Exercise caution, especially if you are bringing children or are uneasy with heights.

PRO TIP: Bring a pair of binoculars to marvel at the rock climbers on El Capitan’s vertical face, and remember that the sunset views are nothing short of breathtaking.

• Distance: Approximately 2.3 miles (3.7 km) loop
• Time: 1.5 – 2.5 hours
• Elevation Change: Minimal
• Trailhead: Mariposa Grove Arrival Area (off Wawona Road)

The Mariposa Grove Big Trees Loop Trail guides will introduce you to some of the largest living organisms on Earth – the giant sequoias. As you walk amidst these towering sentinels, you will be astounded by their immense size and the serene aura they emanate.

GOOD TO KNOW: Mariposa Grove is home to over 500 mature giant sequoias, making it one of the most significant groves in the park. Among these giants is the Grizzly Giant, estimated to be over 1,800 years old.

• Distance: Approximately 3.5 miles (5.6 km) loop
• Time: 1.5 – 2 hours
• Elevation Change: Minimal
• Trailhead: Wawona Meadow Loop Trailhead

Description: The Wawona Meadow Loop Trail meanders through the open meadows of Wawona, treating you to sweeping vistas of the surrounding landscape. As you walk, you’ll be captivated by the gentle rhythm of nature, the song of birds, and the breathtaking backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Good to Know: With its flat terrain and pleasant length, this trail is perfect for families, casual walkers, and those seeking a peaceful connection with nature. Bring along a pair of binoculars to enhance your birdwatching experience.

Pro Tip: Enjoy a leisurely picnic amidst the meadows or near the serene Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. Capture the changing colors of the meadow and the play of light on the Sierra Nevada peaks with your camera.

• Distance: Approximately 5 miles round trip
• Time: 3 – 4 hours
• Elevation Change: Minimal
• Trailhead: O’Shaughnessy Dam Area

The Wapama Falls Trail will take you on a journey alongside the striking Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. As you progress, a series of sturdy footbridges will lead you right to the foot of the mighty Wapama Falls.

With a cumulative drop of over 1,000 feet, the falls present an awe-inspiring spectacle as the Merced River crashes down the granite cliffs.