California·United States
Photo: Alex Proimos from Sydney, Australia · Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Yosemite's granite domes and waterfalls make some of the finest day hikes in the world. The cables up the back of Half Dome are the most sought-after hike in America, Clouds Rest offers an even better summit view with fewer people, and the Panorama Trail passes three waterfalls on the way down from Glacier Point.
In season: May–Oct · Peak: Jun–Sep
Big days with 1,000 to 1,500 m of climbing on granite steps and switchbacks, heat in the Valley and crowds on the famous trails. The Half Dome cables are only up from late May to October.
One of the tallest waterfalls in North America, up the side of it
Glacier Point down to the valley past three waterfalls
The most sought-after day hike in America, permit lottery
A better summit view than Half Dome, and a fraction of the people
Enter the Half Dome permit lottery in March, or the daily lottery two days ahead. Hike the Yosemite Falls trail and the Panorama Trail first, climb Clouds Rest from Tenaya Lake, and start before dawn for Half Dome.
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