Valley Loop Trail
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
| Address: | Northside Dr, Yosemite Village, CA 95389, USA |
| GPS: |
37°44'13.7"N 119°36'29.4"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | California |
| Trail Length: | 11.50 miles |
| Trail Type: | Loop |
| Hike Difficulty: | Intermediate |
| Trails/Routes: | 15.9 mi |
Restrooms Lakes Rivers Waterfalls Streams Trails Rocks Wildflowers National Park
Hike
The Valley Loop trail at the heart of Yosemite is one of the best ways to discover the park. The entire loop is 11.5 miles long, and there are several places to enter and exit the trail throughout. However, because the trail avoids most main roads, it is best to take a map along with you.
Starting at Lower Yosemite Falls, the main trail takes hikers along the Merced River to various wildflower meadows and to some of Yosemite's most impressive landforms. The beginning of the hike guides visitors through the Three Brothers rock formation and eventually to El Capitan in Yosemite Valley. From there, those planning on doing the 7.2 mile half loop will cross the Merced River and start heading back to Yosemite Village. Those continuing on will head past El Capitan toward Bridalveil Falls and eventually loop back to the village.
There is almost no elevation gain on this hike, so it is essentially, a walk in the park. However, it is pretty long, even for those opting for the half loop, so make sure you've set aside enough time to complete whichever section of the hike you're planning on doing. The full loop usually takes about 5-7 hours, and the half loop usually takes 2.5-3.5 hours.
More Information
Yosemite National Park Itinerary
This Yosemite National Park Itinerary will help you get started as you plan your vacation to Yosemite National Park.
https://www.justgotravelstudios.com/collections/national-park-itineraries/products/yosemite-national-park-itinerary?ref=9zpxis0diinYosemite Valley Loop Trail - Yosemite National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
Enjoy some solitude in western Yosemite Valley. Hike through meadows, forests, and beside the Merced River. Along the way, enjoy striking views of Sentinel Rock, Cathedral Rocks, Bridalveil Fall, El Capitan, Three Brothers, Yosemite Falls, and more.
https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/valleylooptrail.htmBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
- Head southwest on Northside Dr toward Cook's Meadow LoopToll roadDestination will be on the left(1.1 mi)
Parking is available at Yosemite Village. From there, the shuttle will take you to Lower Yosemite Falls (shuttle stop #6), and there will be signage to guide you to the trailhead.
Other Hiking Trails Nearby
Lower Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
0.9 miles NEA short, flat walk to the base of a 3,967-foot waterfall — twice the height of the Empire State Building and one of North America's tallest, best visited in spring or early summer before it dries.
Hike 0.7 mi
Cook's Meadow Loop
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
1.0 miles NEA nearly 1-mile, nearly flat loop in Sentinel Meadow with close-up views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Glacier Point, and Sentinel Rock — Yosemite's best easy walk.
Hike 4.6 mi
Four Mile Trail
Yosemite National Park
1.2 miles EA 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
Horsetail Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
1.2 miles SWFor a few weeks in mid-to-late February, Horsetail Falls glows orange with reflected sunset light — a rare 'firefall' phenomenon requiring clear skies and a parking permit.
Hike 1.2 mi
Taft Point
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
1.7 miles SA 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 2.9 mi
Upper Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
1.8 miles NEThe tallest waterfall in North America at 2,425 feet — a 7.2-mile, 2,600-ft-gain hike to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls with stunning valley views along the way.
Hike 0.2 mi
Ribbon Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
2.0 miles SWThe longest single-drop waterfall in North America at 1,612 feet — seasonal and best seen in late morning when the sun hits it directly, visible from El Capitan Road as you enter Yosemite Valley.
Hike 0.3 mi
Glacier Point
Yosemite National Park
2.0 miles EPerched 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 0.2 mi
Bridalveil Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
2.5 miles SWA 620-foot waterfall that flows year-round and soaks onlookers with mist — Bridalveil Falls is just a quick half-mile paved walk from the trailhead, wheelchair accessible and pet friendly.
Hike 1.9-2.9 mi
Mist Trail
Yosemite National Park
2.8 miles EA 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 4.1 mi
North Dome
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
3.0 miles NEA 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 0.4-2.1 mi
Illilouette Falls
Yosemite West, Yosemite National Park
3.1 miles SEA 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
Mirror Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
3.3 miles EA 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 2.1 mi
Snow Creek Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
4.5 miles NEA 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 1.7 mi
Mono Meadow
Yosemite West, Yosemite National Park
4.7 miles SA 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 0.5 mi
McGurk Meadow
Yosemite National Park
4.7 miles SA 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 1.9 mi
Half Dome
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
5.2 miles EA 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 0.7 mi
Lukens Lake
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
7.8 miles NA short 1.6-mile forest walk to a secluded lake famous for the luminescent shooting stars visible while you swim, plus a wildflower meadow that peaks in July.
Hike, Swim 5.5 mi
Ostrander Lake
Wawona, California
8.4 miles SAn 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
Harden Lake
Big Oak Flat, Yosemite National Park
9.4 miles NA long but gentle 5.8-mile walk down old Tioga Road through granite domes and red fir forest to a serene lake ringed by wildflowers — with optional extension to the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne.
Backpack, HikeNearby Campsites
Merced River
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
1.4 miles EThe Merced River circles Yosemite Valley with whitewater, swimming holes, gold-panning spots, and unbeatable views of Yosemite Falls and Glacier Point at every bend.
Camp, Swim, Whitewater
Crane Flat
Big Oak Flat, Yosemite National Park
10.5 miles WFramed between two giant sequoia groves, Crane Flat meadow is a quiet Yosemite base camp for birding, stargazing, and seasonal hikes to Lukens and Harden Lake.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Snowshoe 5.7 mi
Ten Lakes
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
12.3 miles NEA 6.4-mile hike from Yosemite Creek to three of the Ten Lakes Basin's seven lakes, through wildflower meadows, forests, and past the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne, gaining 2,200 feet.
Backpack, Camp, Hike 6.1 mi
Glen Aulin
Wawona, California
15.7 miles NEAn 11-mile hike along the Tuolumne River to Glen Aulin with 800 feet of gain, passing Tuolumne Falls, Soda Springs, wildflower meadows, and the stunning White Cascade.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Glen Aulin
Glen Aulin, California
15.7 miles NEA popular introductory Yosemite High Country backcountry hike following the Tuolumne River to a High Sierra Camp beside the White Cascade waterfall, with further options to Waterwheel Falls.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Swim
Tuolumne Meadows
Tuolumne County, California
17.3 miles NEA 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
Briceburg Recreation Area
Midpines, California
22.7 miles SWBriceburg is where State Route 140 drops out of the Sierra foothills and meets the Wild and Scenic Merced River, twelve miles east of Mariposa on the road to Yosemite, and it's one of the best public...
Camp, Kayak, Swim 4.0 mi
Saddlebag Lake
Lee Vining, California
24.2 miles NEAt 10,008 ft, this Eastern Sierra alpine lake offers exceptional trout fishing, a scenic four-mile loop, and a water taxi into the heart of the Twenty Lakes Basin.
Camp, Canoe, Hike
Crystal Lake
Mammoth Lakes, California
34.0 miles EA 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
Standish Hickey Area
Lakeshore, California
43.1 miles SEA two-mile stretch of the south fork of the Eel River inside a redwood canyon 180 miles from San Francisco — swim, kayak, fish, or hike, then camp near the 1,200-year-old Captain Miles Standish Tree.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Wild Willy's Hot Spring
Mammoth Lakes, California
46.1 miles EA soaking hot spring in Long Valley's open sagebrush plain — pools range from 95°F to 105°F, with a larger deeper pool and smaller, hotter pools, reached by a 0.2-mile wooden boardwalk from the parking area.
Camp, Hot Springs
Crowley Lake Campground
Crowley Lake, California
47.4 miles ENestled in the stunning Eastern Sierra near Crowley Lake, this BLM campground offers first-come, first-served sites for tents, RVs, and trailers with breathtaking high-desert views.
Camp
