Hiking in Yosemite is always a treat, and the best hikes in Yosemite stack up against the best hikes anywhere else in the world.  Stunning views, massive canyons, and near mile high rock walls make Yosemite a truly incredible place!

While having so much natural beauty in a place is a blessing, it can make it hard to choose where to go, what to see, and which trails to do!  This is certainly a good problem to have, but still, it can be hard to figure out where to go and what to do!  That is the basis for the creation of this list.

We are not going to argue that these are exclusively the ten best hikes in Yosemite, or even that they are inarguably the ten best moderate hikes.  What this list is is a starting point.  We hope after you read this article, you’ll be inspired to travel to Yosemite, and when you get there you’ll have a list of trails you want to hike!

All of the trails on this list are what I would consider moderate hikes.  These are not easy hikes.  You will definitely sweat on all of these; however, most people in at least moderate fitness should be able to do them.  For people in great shape, these will be easy half day hikes.  For the majority of people, these may be the hardest hikes you do in Yosemite!

1. Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Loop 

5.1 miles

1,122 feet vertical gain

This loop between Sentinel Dome and Taft Point will give you some seriously epic Yosemite views, and that’s the big reason it’s my number one moderate hike.  This trail falls right in the sweet spot for a moderate hike, 5 miles, 1,122 feet, about two or three hours of hiking.  You’ll be breathing hard in spots, but it’s never overly difficult.

Located above Glacier Point, this hike gives you huge views of all the major features of Yosemite Valley.  The view from the summit of Sentinel Dome is basically a better version of the Glacier Point view, and Taft Point is another iconic vista point.  The views combined with the drop offs of Taft Point and the summit dome of Sentinel Dome make this Yosemite’s number one moderate hike!

2. Mariposa Grove Trail

6.2 miles

1,213 feet vertical gain

As far as hiking in Yosemite goes, this trail is about as different from the Sentinel Dome Taft Point Loops as you can get.  Rather than wide sweeping views, this trail takes you through Yosemite’s greatest Giant Sequoia grove!

Mariposa Grove is a pretty incredible place.  While the trees here aren’t quite as massive as the monsters in Sequoia National Park, they are still utterly gigantic.  There are shorter hikes you can do here as well, but to really get the full experience of the grove, definitely do the full six mile loop.

Mariposa Grove is located south of Yosemite in the Wawona area of the park.  Mariposa Grove is about an hour south of Yosemite Valley, and only a couple of miles from the southern entrance of the park.  

3. Lembert Dome Loop

3.7 miles

846 feet vertical gain

This short hike is in the Tuolumne Meadows area of the park.  From Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows is close to an hour and a half drive.  While the drive is a bit long unless you are staying close by, there is the added bonus that the crowds are much thinner than in Yosemite Valley!

This hike takes you to the summit of Lembert Dome, a small granite dome rising above Tuolumne Meadows.  This is one of the shorter hikes on this list, but you do climb over 800 feet in less than two miles, so this trail will make your legs burn a bit!  Once you make the summit, you’ll have incredible views of the Yosemite high country for not too much effort!

4. Porcupine Creek Trail to Indian Ridge Natural Arch to North Dome

10.5 miles

2,368 feet vertical gain

This trail is on the tough side for a moderate hike, but the numbers look worse than the hike actually is.  This trail is pretty up and down, so you’ll never be hiking up the side of the mountain for hours at a time.  It can also be shortened by a couple of miles and you’ll still get 95% of the views.

This trail starts on Tioga road and makes its way back to Yosemite Valley to North Dome.  You’ll spend quite a bit of time walking through the woods, but the views when you reach North Dome are pretty incredible.  Half Dome basically stares you in the face from just across the valley!  If you’re up for trying a slightly tougher half day hike, this would be a good one to try.

5. Rancheria Falls Trail

11.9 miles

2,618 feet vertical gain

This trail is also on the tougher side of moderate, and while 2,600 feet of climbing is quite a bit, it’s spread out quite a bit throughout the hike.  

This trail takes you along the shores of Hetch Hetchy, and throughout you’ll have fantastic views looking out over the reservoir.  At about two miles into the trail, you’ll reach Wapama Falls, probably my favorite waterfall in Yosemite.  This is a great turnaround point for an easy hike.

The two biggest challenges with this trail are getting to it and weather conditions.  Hetch Hetchy is in it’s own separate part of Yosemite, and from Yosemite Valley it’s about an hour and 20 minutes.  The other challenge is heat.  Hetch Hetchy gets really really hot, and this trail has very little shade.  Be sure you take plenty of water on this hike, or even better do it in spring!

6. Cathedral Lake Trail

9 miles

1,571 feet vertical gain

This is a classic moderate hike; decent mileage with not too much elevation gain.  This trail starts at Tuolumne Meadows and climbs to two alpine lakes.  This was my first favorite hike, and I’ve always seen it as special!

The hike starts with two 600 foot climbs separated with a short section of flat hiking.  Once you reach the crest of the trail, you then descend down to Lower Cathedral Lake.  From here, you can either return to the trailhead for an 8 mile hike, or continue to Upper Cathedral Lake for a nine mile hike.  This isn’t the most spectacular alpine hike you can do, but for it’s difficulty, it’s pretty good!

7. Chilnualna Falls

7.9 miles

2,188 feet vertical gain

This hike in the southern portion of the park provides waterfalls and big views, what more can you ask for!  At about eight miles with over 2,000 feet of climbing, this one will test your legs and your lungs a bit, but it’s really only a half day hike.  While you don’t get the iconic views of white granite on this hike, it’s still an excellent hike!

8. The Panorama Trail to Illilouette Falls 

4.9 miles

1,453 feet vertical gain

The Panorama Trail is a Yosemite classic, and there are lots of different ways to hike it.  The most common is as a 4.9 mile out and back to Illilouette Falls.  Doing it this way makes it a nice 2-3 hour hike.  

The Panorama Trail is also a great candidate to be included in a longer day hike.  Many will hike from Yosemite Valley up to Glacier Point via the Mist Trail and Panorama Trail.  Another excellent option that includes the Panorama Trail is The Yosemite Grand Tour.  This is a massive loop that is much harder than moderate, but it’s an epic day on trail!

One thing to note about the Panorama Trail is that it begins with a 1,400 foot descent, and you will have to finish the hike with a 1,400 foot climb.  I personally hate finishing a hike with a climb, but that’s the deal here.  This trail also does not have much shade, so be sure to take lots of water, and try to go on a cooler day! 

9. Columbia Rock

2.1 miles

948 feet vertical gain

The trail to Columbia Rock is the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail.  The hike to Upper Yosemite Falls is really difficult, so a common turn around point for many people is Columbia Rock.  It’s only two miles, but in the first mile you’ll gain almost 1,000 feet, and in the second mile you’ll lose almost 1,000 feet.  That’s really steep!  If you can, continue on to the top of the falls, but that’s a big ask for a lot of people, but Columbia Rock is still an accomplishment!

10. Tuolumne Grove Trail

3.2 miles

734 feet vertical gain

If you’re going to do one Sequioa hike in Yosemite, Mariposa Grove is the best one to do; however, there are two others, Tuolumne Grove and Merced Grove.  Again, Mariposa is the best, but it’s in the southern part of the park, and a long drive from the valley and northern sections.  

If you are coming in from the north, Tuolumne Grove and Merced Grove are much more accessible, and still have absolutely massive trees.  Both are of a similar size, but on this list we are going with Tuolumne Grove!

Consider purchasing the America the Beautiful Pass if you’re visiting Yosemite!

Seriously, if you’ve never been to Yosemite, you need to go.  Breathtaking views, breathtaking trails, amazing waterfalls, iconic topography, need I go on?

Yosemite has all sorts of hiking trails, and there is tons to do for people of any fitness level.  We have tons of hiking recommendations for Yosemite, but the great thing about these hikes is almost anyone can do them and still have fun!  In great shape?  Nice easy day on trail.  Not in the best shape?  It’s a great way to challenge yourself!

We definitely left some awesome trails off this list, but we think this is a great starting point.  If you have other trails you think we left off this list, let us know!  No matter what, if you go hiking in Yosemite, you should have a great time!