Four Mile Trail
Yosemite National Park
| Address: | Four Mile Trail, California, USA |
| GPS: |
37°43'59.7"N 119°35'14.4"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | California |
| Trail Length: | 9.40 miles |
| Trail Type: | Out & Back |
| Hike Difficulty: | Advanced |
| Elevation Gain: | 3200 feet |
| Trails/Routes: | 4.6 mi |
Restrooms Lakes Rivers Waterfalls Streams Trails Rocks National Park
Hike
Four Mile Trail is a moderate hike that offers the best views of some of Yosemite's most famous landmarks, including Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Clouds Rest, North Dome, El Capitan, and the Royal Arches. The hike connects Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point, making it one of the best ways to see the highlights of the park in just four miles.
There are several switchbacks, making it a little bit more difficult going up than it is going down. While the name of the hike is Four Mile Trail, it's actually 4.7 miles one way and 9.4 miles round trip and takes about 2-5 hours to complete. Just around a mile or so into the hike, you'll be able to see Yosemite Falls completely. This is the only place in the world where the view of this waterfall, the highest in North America, is not obstructed by rocks or trees. Because Yosemite Falls is such a big part of the Four Mile Trail, the best time to visit is in the spring, just after the snow melts, because that's when it's at its biggest.
At the top of the hike, there is a gift shop and cafeteria, allowing visitors some time to stay, rest, grab a bite, and enjoy the scenery.
More Information
Be 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 National Park
- Head northeast on El Portal RdToll road(5.5 mi)
- El Portal Rd turns slightly right and becomes Southside DrToll road(4.7 mi)
There is a parking lot just outside the trailhead.
Trails
Distance ?
4.6 milesElevation Gain ?
3,228 feetReal Ascent ?
4,070 feetReal Descent ?
842 feetAvg Grade (8°)
14%Grade (-40° to 54°)
-84% to 140%Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.
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