Half Dome Trail

The Half Dome Trail is a roughly 23 km point-to-point trail in Yosemite National Park, United States, gaining about 1,463 m of elevation over a single long day. Rated strenuous, it climbs from the valley floor to a 2,694 m granite summit reached by a steep cable route bolted into bare rock.

About the Half Dome Trail

Half Dome is the signature landmark of Yosemite Valley, a sheared granite monolith rising 1,460 m above the Merced River. The trail to its summit is one of the most coveted day hikes in the United States, covering 22–25 km round-trip with roughly 1,463 m (4,800 ft) of cumulative climb. Most hikers spend 10 to 12 hours on the route, leaving the trailhead at dawn and returning after dark.

What sets this hike apart is the final 120 m. Where the granite steepens to nearly 45 degrees, the National Park Service installs two steel cables that hikers haul themselves up by hand. Without the cables this section would be a technical Class 4 scramble; with them it is a strenuous but non-technical ascent that demands strong arms, good gloves and a head for heights.

The route is graded strenuous for sound reasons: the elevation gain rivals many alpine objectives, the cable section is exposed, and the distance means most of the descent happens on tired legs. It is not a beginner outing, but for fit hikers it is an unforgettable one. If you are still building endurance for big days like this, our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day is worth reading before you commit.

Route Overview & Stages

The standard route follows the Mist Trail on the ascent, climbing past two waterfalls before traversing Little Yosemite Valley and tackling the Sub Dome and cables. Distances below are one-way from Happy Isles to the summit; the full hike doubles these figures.

Many hikers descend via the John Muir Trail instead of retracing the Mist Trail, which adds distance but offers gentler grades and the classic profile view of Nevada Fall from Clark Point. This is why the full outing is often described as a 23–26 km loop rather than a pure out-and-back.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Vernal Fall (97 m): The first major cascade, reached via the spray-soaked granite steps of the Mist Trail. In spring the mist can drench you within metres.
• Nevada Fall (181 m): A thundering plunge over a granite lip, marking the official end of the steepest waterfall section and the start of the high country.
• Little Yosemite Valley: A flat, forested basin beside the Merced River with a backcountry campground and the last dependable water source before the summit push.
• Sub Dome: A punishing 430 m granite staircase that climbs at an average grade above 15 percent. Rangers check Half Dome permits at its base.
• The Cables: Two steel cables anchored into 45-degree granite cover the final 120 vertical metres — the defining and most photographed feature of the hike.
• Half Dome Summit (2,694 m): A broad granite crown with sweeping views over Yosemite Valley, Tenaya Canyon and the High Sierra. The overhanging “Visor” ledge is a famous photo spot.
• Clark Point: On the John Muir Trail descent, this viewpoint frames Nevada Fall and Liberty Cap in a single sweep.
• Glacier Point sightline: From the summit you can pick out Glacier Point across the valley, 1,000 m below the dome’s crest.

Best Time to Hike the Half Dome Trail

The hiking window is dictated entirely by the cable season. The National Park Service installs the cables the Friday before Memorial Day (late May) and removes them the day after the second Monday in October. Outside these dates the summit is a technical climb requiring ropes and experience, so for the cable route plan between late May and mid-October.

September is the single best month. By then the snowmelt has eased, the Mist Trail steps are dry rather than slick, afternoon thunderstorms are less frequent than in July and August, and the summer crowds have thinned. Daytime temperatures in the valley sit around 24–28 °C, cooling pleasantly on the exposed granite. As of 2026 the cables are expected to follow the usual schedule, but late-season snow can delay installation, so confirm current dates before booking travel. June offers powerful waterfalls but lingering snow on the Sub Dome; July and August bring reliable weather but a real lightning risk on the fully exposed summit, where you should be off the cables well before midday storms build.

Practical Information

Accommodation

There are no huts on the route. Most day hikers stay in Yosemite Valley the night before. Curry Village heated tent cabins run roughly €140–160 per night, while the valley campgrounds (Upper, Lower and North Pines) cost around €33 per night and book out months ahead. Backpackers with a wilderness permit can camp at Little Yosemite Valley campground, splitting the hike over two days; the campground has bear lockers and a seasonal ranger station. Budget travellers often base in Mariposa or El Portal, where motels start near €90 per night, roughly 45–75 minutes’ drive from the trailhead.

Getting There & Back

The nearest major airport is Fresno Yosemite International (FAT), about 2.5 hours by car from Yosemite Valley. San Francisco and Sacramento airports are 3.5–4 hours away. Within the park, the free Yosemite Valley Shuttle stops at Happy Isles (stop #16), the trailhead; from the Curry Village day-use parking it is a half-kilometre walk to the shuttle stop. YARTS public buses connect Merced, Mariposa and Fresno to the valley seasonally, taking around 2–3 hours and removing the need to drive the busy park roads.

Permits & Fees

A Half Dome permit is mandatory whenever the cables are up. Day-hiker permits are distributed through a preseason lottery held in March, with a small number released in a daily lottery two days in advance. The lottery application costs about €9 and, if awarded, there is a further per-person fee of roughly €9. The park entrance fee is about €32 per vehicle, valid for seven days. Backpackers obtain Half Dome access as an add-on to their wilderness permit. Always carry the permit — rangers check it at the base of the Sub Dome and turn back anyone without one.

Apply through the official channels: see the National Park Service Half Dome page for current rules and the Recreation.gov Half Dome permit portal to enter the lottery.

Gear & Packing List

This is a long, exposed day where pack weight matters but you cannot cut safety items. Carry a minimum of 4 litres (one gallon) of water per person, gloves for the cables, sturdy boots with grippy soles, a headlamp with spare batteries for the pre-dawn start and after-dark finish, sun protection and rain shell. A light, well-fitted pack makes the climb far more pleasant: the 2400 Windrider is ideal for a fast day hike, while the larger 3400 Windrider or the supportive Atmos AG 50 suit those splitting the trip with an overnight at Little Yosemite Valley. If you are shopping for a new pack, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 compares seven options head to head.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the granite and exposure of Half Dome appeal to you, several other American classics deliver the same blend of big climbs and dramatic summits. The following routes range from short, intense scrambles to multi-month thru-hikes.

• Angels Landing Trail--West Rim Trail — Zion’s chain-assisted ridge, a shorter cousin to the Half Dome cables.
• Mount Whitney Trail — the highest summit in the contiguous US, another permit-controlled Sierra giant.
• Enchantments Traverse — a high alpine traverse through Washington’s granite lake basins.
• Pacific Crest Trail — the 4,265 km thru-hike that passes through this same High Sierra terrain.
• Continental Divide National Scenic Trail — a 4,988 km ridge-line epic for the ultimate long-distance ambition.

For a contrasting international option with hut-to-hut logistics, see our guide on how to hike the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike Half Dome?
September is the best month. The cables are typically up from late May to mid-October, and by September the Mist Trail steps are dry, afternoon thunderstorms are rarer than in mid-summer, and crowds have eased. Valley temperatures sit around 24–28 °C, making the exposed granite comfortable for the long ascent.

How difficult is the Half Dome Trail?
It is rated strenuous. The hike covers 22–25 km with about 1,463 m of climbing and takes most people 10 to 12 hours. The final 120 m up the cables is steep and exposed, demanding upper-body strength and a tolerance for heights. Good fitness and an early start are essential.

How long is each day on the trail?
Most hikers complete the whole route in one long day of 10 to 12 hours, leaving at dawn. If you split it with an overnight at Little Yosemite Valley, the first day covers roughly 11 km to camp and the second day handles the 12 km summit push and descent, making each day more manageable.

Where can I stay near the trail?
Yosemite Valley offers Curry Village tent cabins (around €140–160) and campgrounds (around €33). Backpackers can camp at Little Yosemite Valley with a wilderness permit. Budget options lie in Mariposa and El Portal, with motels from about €90 per night, 45–75 minutes’ drive from the Happy Isles trailhead.

Do I need a permit for Half Dome?
Yes. A permit is required whenever the cables are installed. Day hikers enter a March preseason lottery or a daily lottery two days ahead; the application costs about €9 plus a per-person fee of roughly €9 if awarded. Backpackers add Half Dome to a wilderness permit. Rangers check permits at the Sub Dome.