Yosemite National Park, California
Half Dome Trail
A full-day Sierra hike from Yosemite Valley to the cables on Half Dome. It needs fitness, an early start, a cables permit, and a willingness to turn around in weather.
Parking: Valley parking fills. Use shuttle stops and signed lots. Do not block roads at Happy Isles.
Permits: A cables permit is required when the cables are up. Wilderness permits are a separate system if you overnight in Little Yosemite Valley. Distances, times, and elevation figures here are planning ranges. The park’s current trail report is the authority.
Overview
Half Dome is not a casual valley stroll. Most people leave Happy Isles before dawn, climb the Mist Trail past Vernal and Nevada Falls (or the longer John Muir Trail in high water), then continue through Little Yosemite Valley to the subdome and the cable route. The cables are typically installed for the summer season and removed in fall; dates change. A permit is required to go beyond the subdome base when the cables are up. Lightning, wet granite, and exhaustion are the usual reasons to reverse course. Completing the hike is optional. Getting back to the valley in daylight with water still in your bottles is the actual goal.
Why Hike This Trail
- You already handle 10-plus-mile days with large elevation gain.
- You can stay calm on steep granite with gloves on metal cables.
- You want one Yosemite day that links waterfalls, forest, and a high viewpoint.
Route Description
- Start at Happy Isles. In summer, use the valley shuttle. Night parking rules change; read the current Yosemite pages.
- Mist Trail to Vernal Fall is steep, often wet, and crowded. The John Muir Trail is longer and usually drier.
- Nevada Fall is the second major step. Fill water only from treated sources or with a filter; do not count on later spigots.
- Little Yosemite Valley is a flatter recovery stretch. Eat here. The climb after this is sustained.
- The subdome switchbacks are steep granite stairs. This is where many people realize the day is longer than the map suggested.
- The cable route is two metal cables on a steep slab. Gloves help. Do not start up if a thunderstorm is building or the rock is slick.
- Descend the same way. Most injuries happen on tired legs below the falls. Use poles if they help your knees, and keep some water for the last miles.
What to Expect
- A pre-dawn start from the valley in high season.
- Temperature swings from cool spray on the Mist Trail to hot granite on the dome.
- Permit checks on the route when cables are up.
- Slow two-way traffic on the cables.
Best Time to Visit
The hike only makes sense when the cables are in place and granite is dry. Midweek days in early fall can be quieter than July. Snow can linger on the approach in a heavy winter. Confirm cable status and the Yosemite trail report before you lock plans.
What to Bring
- 4+ liters of water capacity and a way to treat water.
- Calorie-dense food you will actually eat.
- Cable gloves, sun protection, and layers for wind on the dome.
- Headlamp and backup battery. Finishing after dark is common if you start late.
- Map or offline download. Do not treat cell service as navigation.
See also the full-day packing guide and hiking checklist.
How to Prepare
- Obtain a Half Dome cables permit through the official Yosemite process for the date you hike.
- Train on long climbs. Valley-to-dome is a workday of hiking, not a highlight reel.
- Set a hard turnaround time. If you are not on the subdome with weather still stable, skip the cables.
Nearby Attractions
- Mist Trail to Vernal Fall as a shorter day
- Four Mile Trail to Glacier Point (when open)
- Valley View and Tunnel View for photography without the mileage
- Tuolumne Meadows trails when Tioga Road is open
Nearby Places to Stay
- Yosemite Valley lodges and campgrounds are closest and book out far ahead.
- El Portal, Mariposa, and Groveland are common outside-the-gate bases.
- If you stay outside the park, budget extra time for morning vehicle lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Half Dome really?
Most people hiking from Happy Isles via the Mist Trail cover roughly 14 to 16 miles round trip with close to 4,800 feet of gain. Your watch will vary with side steps and photo stops. Plan food and water for a full day.
What if I do not get a permit?
You can still hike to viewpoints below the permit boundary, including Nevada Fall and Little Yosemite Valley, if those trails are open. Do not go onto the cables without the required permit.
Safety Notes
- Lightning on Half Dome is a documented hazard. Leave the cables at the first sign of a building storm.
- Wet cables and wet granite are a reason to turn around, even if you hold a permit.
- Stay out of the Merced River above the falls. The water is fast and the rock is slick.
- Bear-aware food storage rules apply in the valley and Little Yosemite Valley.
Official Resource Links
Yosemite National Park (NPS)Half Dome permits (NPS)
Keep planning
Destination: California. Nearby drive: Pacific Coast Highway. Itinerary: 3-Day Yosemite Adventure.
