Pohono Trail

This 13 mile (21km) meander along/behind the southern rim of Yosemite Valley between Glacier Point and Tunnel View is one of Yosemite’s finest hikes, taking in Inspiration Point, Bridal Veil Creek, Sentinel Dome and Taft Point, en route. It is one of the Yosemite walks Walkopedia most wants to do. This is, though, a long, demanding hike, gaining some 3,700ft between the trail heads.

Most people walk the trail east-west, i.e. from Glacier Point (7,200ft / 2,200m) to the Tunnel View (4,400ft / 1,340m), to reduce the amount of climbing (starting with a 2,000ft climb from Tunnel View), although it officially runs the other way and can be completed (by the fit) with a descent of the dramatic Four Mile Trail to The Yosemite Valley floor.

East to west, you'll pass Glacier Point, Sentinel Dome, Taft, Dewey, Crocker, Stanford, and Inspiration Points, and the Tunnel View. You'll have views of all Yosemite Valley's great natural landmarks: Vernal, Nevada, Yosemite, and Bridalveil Falls; Half Dome, Sentinel and Cathedral Rocks, El Capitan, and more. Tunnel View is one of Yosemite’s most famous…er… views, directly up the ‘tunnel’ of Yosemite Valley.

You will have to slog through a less thrilling 4-mile stretch between Dewey and Taft Points where the trail veers away from the valley rim, though, and you'll only have intermittent glimpses of the valley between the various viewpoints.

The trail takes 5-10 hours. Those who want to reduce the length and demands of walk can walk in/out to/from Taft Point.

The trail is only accessible once the Glacier Point road is open, and in most years there will be snow covering the trail for the first few weeks after the road opens.

As a linear route, you will have to plan getting to/from trailheads carefully. A bigger group with 2 cars works; shuttle buses, while excellent in many ways, aren’t always easy logistically. See our Yosemite page for more.

In high season, there will likely be crowds at each end, on Sentinel Dome and at Taft Point, but otherwise the trail will be reasonably empty.

Further practicalities at: https://www.yosemitehikes.com/glacier-point-road/pohono-trail/pohono-trail.htm

See our Yosemite page for more general and practical information (including on getting there) and photos.

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