Bright Angel Trail vs Half Dome Trail
A side-by-side look at distance, elevation, difficulty and the best time to hike each — so you can pick the right route.
| Bright Angel Trail | Half Dome Trail | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 7 km | 3 km |
| Elevation gain | 223 m | 458 m |
| Typical duration | — | — |
| Difficulty | — | — |
| Route type | Point-to-point | Point-to-point |
| Network | Local | Regional |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Best time to hike | Best months: April, November, December | Best from June to September |
| Route & GPX | Route & GPX |
Bright Angel Trail vs Half Dome Trail: which should you hike?
At 7 km, Bright Angel Trail is the longer route — roughly 4 km more than Half Dome Trail (3 km). If you want the bigger challenge or a longer trip, that's the one; for a shorter or first multi-day hike, Half Dome Trail is the gentler pick. Check the elevation and best-season rows above, then open each route for the full guide and a free GPX download.
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