38 Hiking Trails near Santa Cruz Area
first prev 1 2 next lastShowing Hiking Trails within 50 miles Distance miles of Edison Lake Rd, Lakeshore, CA 93634, USA City, Zip, or Address
Crystal Lake
Mammoth Lakes, California
19.2 miles NA 3.2-mile roundtrip Sierra day hike past Lake George, Lake Marie, and Lake Mamie, ending at Crystal Lake beneath the monolith Crystal Crag — shaded trail with room to swim, fish, or picnic lakeside.
Camp, Hike
Crowley Lake
Mammoth Lakes, California
25.3 miles NEA reservoir famed for ancient volcanic columns rising from the lakebed, along with trout fishing, and stunning Eastern Sierra scenery near Mammoth Lakes.
Hike, Swim 0.4 mi
Crowley Lake Stone Columns
Mammoth Lakes, California
25.4 miles NEOtherworldly 20-foot tufa columns rising from the Eastern Sierra lakebed at Crowley Lake — a geological wonder formed over 600,000 years of calcium carbonate buildup.
Hike 5.5 mi
Ostrander Lake
Wawona, California
35.7 miles NWAn 11.4-mile Yosemite hike to a semi-secluded swim lake surrounded by granite mountains — wildflowers, streams, and meadows in summer; open for cross-country skiing in winter via Ostrander Lodge.
Hike, Swim 2.5 mi
Chilnualna Falls
Wowana, Yosemite National Park
37.5 miles NWAn 8-mile round-trip hike in Yosemite to a lesser-known waterfall that passes through several forests and offers spring mist and creek crossings — horses and hikers share the trail.
Hike 1.7 mi
Mono Meadow
Yosemite West, Yosemite National Park
39.1 miles NWA short, lightly trafficked 3-mile round-trip hike through a wildflower meadow recovering from wildfire, offering simultaneous views of Mt. Starr King, Clarke Range, and Half Dome.
Hike 1.9 mi
Half Dome
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
39.6 miles NWA grueling 14-mile round-trip hike with 4,800 feet of gain to the summit of Half Dome, including a cable section in the final 400 feet — a permit is required and a sunrise start is essential.
Hike 0.4-2.1 mi
Illilouette Falls
Yosemite West, Yosemite National Park
40.0 miles NWA 4-mile hike starting downhill from Glacier Point to a footbridge view of Illilouette Falls — with a side trip on the quieter Panorama Trail adding Half Dome and Nevada Falls views.
Hike 3.6 mi
Lyell Canyon
Wawona, California
40.3 miles NWAn 8-mile, nearly flat hike through Yosemite's Tuolumne Meadows along the Lyell Fork river, with creek crossings, Kuna Creek cascades, and backcountry quiet far from the crowds.
Hike
Elizabeth Lake
Wawona, California
40.7 miles NWA 4.8-mile hike with a 1,000-foot gain to a quiet alpine lake tucked between Cockscomb, Unicorn Peak, and Johnson's Peak in Yosemite's Tuolumne Meadows backcountry.
Hike, Swim 1.9-2.9 mi
Mist Trail
Yosemite National Park
40.7 miles NWA steep, mist-soaked Yosemite staircase hike climbing 639 stone steps past Vernal and Nevada Falls — with Half Dome, Whitecap, and Mt. Broderick views from the switchbacks above.
Backpack, Hike 0.5 mi
McGurk Meadow
Yosemite National Park
41.0 miles NWA flat, 0.8-mile walk through one of Yosemite's most secluded wildflower meadows, complete with a brook and a historic 1800s cabin — few visitors, pure charm.
Hike
Mirror Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
41.1 miles NWA paved, car-free trail winds to this seasonal lake at the base of Half Dome, offering a still mirror reflection and a popular summer swimming hole.
Backpack, Hike, Swim 0.3 mi
Glacier Point
Yosemite National Park
41.2 miles NWPerched at 7,214 feet above Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point delivers bird's-eye views of Half Dome, El Capitan, and multiple waterfalls — accessible by car or a 4.7-mile hike.
Hike 4.0 mi
Mono Pass
Yosemite Valley, CA
41.3 miles NAn 8-mile high-Sierra hike at 10,600 feet crossing meadows and several lakes, climbing through Bloody Canyon to sweeping views of Mono Valley and Mono Lake.
Hike, Swim 2.1 mi
Snow Creek Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
41.5 miles NWA 2,140-foot, seven-drop cascade tucked deep in Tenaya Canyon — best spotted from the Mirror Lake Loop, where you can also take a swim before hunting for the falls from the Snow Creek Trail junction.
Backpack, Hike 1.2 mi
Taft Point
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
41.7 miles NWA 5-mile Yosemite loop pairing Sentinel Dome with Taft Point, offering El Capitan views, dramatic cliff fissures, and 3,000-foot valley vistas — no guard rails, so watch your footing.
Hike 4.6 mi
Four Mile Trail
Yosemite National Park
42.0 miles NWA 4.7-mile one-way hike connecting Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point with views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan, and the Royal Arches — best visited in spring when the falls run full.
Hike 4.1 mi
North Dome
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
42.0 miles NWA strenuous 10.4-mile hike through Yosemite forest to North Dome, rewarding hikers with the best straight-on view of Half Dome from 7,450 feet — plus a 0.6-mile detour to a 15-foot granite arch.
Backpack, Hike
Tuolumne Meadows
Tuolumne County, California
42.1 miles NWA stunning alpine meadow in the high Sierra with granite domes and mountain views, the meandering Tuolumne River, and access to Yosemite backcountry — open summer only when the park road is clear.
Camp, Hike
