With iconic Yosemite vistas, and starting from perhaps the most famous viewpoint in the United States, the trail from Tunnel View to Inspiration Point has about as good of views as you’re ever going to find!
This short leg burner can be done in just an hour or two, but make no mistake, it’ll kick your butt. With over a thousand feet of climbing in just over a mile along a rough, rocky, trail, come prepared to work hard! In the end though, the view makes it worth it!
Miles/Elevation:
2.3 miles
1,043 feet vertical gain
About Yosemite National Park:
Located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, Yosemite National Park is one of the largest and most popular parks in the entire National Park System.
Steeped in history, Yosemite has played a major role in the development of environmentalism and conservation in the United States since the late 1800’s. In 1864, President Lincoln created the Yosemite Grant, which did not make Yosemite a national park, but did set the precedent that would lead to the creation of Yellowstone National Park.
Yosemite was ceded to the State of California and ran by the state for much of the late 1800’s. Eventually, in 1890, Yosemite National Park was created, and stronger protections were put in place to preserve the park.
Beyond the National Park Service, the legendary naturalist John Muir is perhaps best known for his advocacy in favor of preserving Yosemite National Park. A giant in the history of conservation, Muir, who fell in love with the mountains after a serious industrial accident, became arguably the most influential figure in preserving the natural landscapes of the west. His relationship with President Theodore Roosevelt and the expansion of federally protected lands may be the greatest achievement of this era of conservation!
Getting To Yosemite:
Located in Central California, Yosemite is fairly remote, but can be reached from a number of major cities. The closest large city is Fresno, and Fresno’s airport is the best choice if you are flying in. Other cities located within a three hour or so drive with major airports include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and Sacramento.
From these cities or any others, you’ll then likely need to drive to the park. There is a regional public transit system called YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transit System), and can be useful if you are trying to get to Yosemite Valley. However, I generally advocate having your own car when exploring the mountains. It just makes it easier to explore and get around.
Once you’re in Yosemite, there is a transit system that can get you around the park, however it is not running in 2021. Go to the Yosemite NPS website for more information on public transit in Yosemite. When it is running, the public transit can get you to many of the major trailheads in the park.
Getting To The Trailhead:
A Great Nearby Hike Is The Sentinel Dome And Taft Point Loop
The trailhead for this hike is at the Tunnel View viewpoint just outside Yosemite Valley. From the valley, take Wawona Road heading south. Tunnel View is about 1.5 miles from the intersection of Wawona Road and the valley loop road, Southside Drive.
From anywhere north, west, or east of Yosemite Valley, first drive to Yosemite Valley, and then take Wawona Road to Tunnel View. From the south, follow Wawona Road towards Yosemite Valley. Pass through Wawona Tunnel, and immediately upon exiting the tunnel you will be at Tunnel View.
For parking, you can park in the main Tunnel View parking area right at the viewpoint, but there is a more spacious and quieter parking lot just across the street. I’d recommend parking here.
Tips:
- Bring trekking poles. This trail is extremely steep and they can save your knees.
- Get out early or hike in cooler weather. It can get hot here, and the climb is extremely steep
The Inspiration Point Trail:
There is no warm up period whatsoever on this hike so get ready to feel the burn right from the start! From the parking lot, take the stone steps up from the pavement and begin the ascent.
The trail immediately begins with a set of tight switchbacks and pretty much continues with the switchbacks all the way up! When you aren’t on switchbacks, expect steep trail blasting it’s way straight up the slope!
You should seriously consider hiking the Mist Trail, Yosemite’s best moderate hike!
Throughout the climb you will get occasional looks out over Yosemite Valley. The view at the start of the day from Tunnel View is incredible, and as you climb that view gets better and better. You’ll probably spend most of your time on the climb focusing on your burning legs or staring at the ground trying not to trip, but turn around and enjoy the view from time to time; it makes for a great way to catch your breath!
Looking for even more of a challenge? Try the 4 Mile Trail!
One thing to note about this hike is there is actually another way to make it up to Inspiration Point. The Old Wawona Road, a disused road once used to access Yosemite Valley, does also travel to Inspiration Point.
At the half a mile mark, you will hit the intersection with the old road. Continuing along the main trail will get you to Inspiration Point in a half mile while the road takes a full mile along a more gradual incline: something to consider if you struggle with extremely steep trails. Do note, there are a number of reports that it is overgrown and not well maintained.
Check out our list of Yosemite’s best easy hikes!
Once you pass the intersection with the old road, continue through another group of switchbacks as you approach Inspiration Point. There isn’t much for waypoints or reference points, but if you’re still climbing, you aren’t there yet!
However, you will eventually reach Inspiration Point (which I realize will feel like it’ll never come). You’ll emerge onto a flat open area, and looking around, there won’t really be much of a view! I was super surprised at first because I figured it was now overgrown and there was nothing to see! A bit of a disappointment after the work I just put in!
What you need to do is hike just another few hundred feet further to find the open viewing area of Inspiration Point! Look around for an open area amid the trees, and you’ll find it pretty easily! It’s just a little ways off from the top of the climb.
Once you locate the viewpoint, you’ll have one of Yosemite’s best views to take in! Tunnel View itself is already iconic, but take that and climb 1000 feet higher: that is what you get at Inspiration Point! The panoramas are bigger, the views are bigger, the drops are bigger; all around it’s an incredible spot. Not to mention there are basically no people here! A wonderful change from the perpetually slammed Tunnel View!
Read Our Complete Guide To All Things Yosemite!
After enjoying the view and hopefully soaking it all in after the brutal ascent, the hike back down is a straightforward return down the same trail you hiked up. You could return along the old road for part of it, but in essence it’s an out and back. The descent is rough and steep, so you will need to take it a bit slow, and it may wear on your knees! But, soon enough, you’ll be back at Tunnel View, enjoying more world class views!
Topdown Lifestyle Rating: 8/10
This trail to me is a classic 8/10 hike: good not great hiking leads you to a fantastic final destination. The views at Inspiration Point are legitimately world class, but the trail getting up there isn’t great. There are some views on the hike up, but most of the time you’ll be looking at leaves, which isn’t awful but it’s not ideal. The trail quality is pretty terrible and it’s crazy steep, but the final destination makes it worth it.
Overall, if you can handle the incline and are looking for a quick but tough hike to stretch the legs, this is a very good option.
Pros:
- Easily accessible from Yosemite Valley
- Great views
Cons:
- Extremely steep
- Foliage blocks views most of the time
- Trail is rough, rocky, and slippery
Alternative Hikes:
The Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Loop
When to Hike the Inspiration Point Trail:
Yosemite is bear country so make sure you’re bear safe!
Hiking in Yosemite is a three season activity. Winter usually brings quite a bit of snow, and the entire park is liable to experience winter storms. While lower elevation areas of the park may be hikable in winter, I really wouldn’t say Yosemite is a four season hiking destination.
Purely in terms of weather, fall and spring are the best times of year to hike in Yosemite. Summer can get extremely hot, and hiking in 95 degree heat isn’t fun for most people! The one issue with fall is that fire season can either close down areas of the park, or more likely will blanket the park with smoke. In good years, it’s hardly an issue, but some years it’s harmful to even be outside.
It is also worth considering when Yosemite is busiest. This is one of the busiest parks in the country, so be ready for crowds if you visit in peak season, namely summer. Some people are really turned off by the crowds, and I agree if you only visit the valley, but there are always places to get away from the big crowds. This can cause issues with finding campsites in the park though.
Overall, I would say that late spring is probably the best time of year to visit Yosemite. The temperatures are comfortable, rain is rare, and the crowds are lighter than summer. Late autumn is also a great time to visit as spring may still have snow lingering on the trails.
The last thing to consider when planning your visit is that the high elevation roads through the park close for snow. Tioga Pass and Glacier Point Road both close from winter to whenever the snow melts (usually May or June but it varies). Spring will limit where you can go in the park, so if you really want to explore the high country, wait at least until late June!
Links For Further Reading:
Inspiration Point Trail | Map, Guide – California | AllTrails
Yosemite Hikes: Inspiration Point
Inspiration Point and Artist’s Point in Yosemite – Modern Hiker
Adam J Vincent
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