Four Mile Trail Hike Guide

10 miles - Hard Effort
Or: 4.8 miles, 4-5 hours uphill, 2-3 hours downhill
5-8 Hours (Total)
3,570 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 7,220 feet
No Dogs Allowed

The Four Mile Trail hike is like a "best of" Yosemite hike. Built in 1872 as a $1 toll road, the Four Mile Trail connects the two most popular spots in the park, the Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point. Along the way up the switchbacks of this engineering marvel, you are rewarded with turn after turn of breathtaking views of the Yosemite Valley. You'll see El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and everything in between. And if you hike up, you are rewarded with a rest at Glacier Point, probably the most stunning vista in the park.

In this Guide:

Deciding Which Way to Hike the Four Mile Trail
Video & Turn by Turn Directions For the Four Mile Trail
Four Mile Trail Logistics and Shuttles
Everything You Need to Know To Prepare for the Hike

Quick Links:
Parks Pass - Snag Permits - Park Website - NOAA Weather Report - My Apr 2024 Gear

There are a few ways that the hike can be done: up and down, just up, or just down. I'll go over the pros and cons of each option in this guide and help you work out the logistics for your hike.

Planning Your Four Mile Trail Hike

No Shuttle Service Four Mile Trail — Before you head out on the Four Mile Trail, consider that hike options so that you don't get stranded.

The Four Mile Trail starts on the south side of Yosemite Valley by the swinging bridge and climbs up to Glacier Point. You can start the hike from either end, but there are some logistics involved on a one-way hike.

Four Mile Trail Overview — The Four Mile Trail connects the Yosemite Valley with Glacier Point. The one-way hike is about 4.8 miles. If you were to drive between the valley and Glacier Point, it's more like 30 miles and usually takes at least an hour.

The easiest way to do the hike is to start at the bottom in Yosemite Valley, hike to Glacier Point, and then hike back down. This is the full hike distance of 10 miles outlined in the guide. If 10 miles seems long, just remember that Glacier Point offers a snack bar and is a good place to rest at the halfway point, and the whole second half of the hike is downhill. You can park at the trailhead or take a free shuttle bus there. It's a great adventure for the day.
You can also hike one-way from the bottom up to Glacier Point and then get a ride back down. There are no free shuttle buses from Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point. Your options are to arrange a car shuttle with family or friends, or to hop on a one-way leg of a guided tour bus, which has limited departures and requires a reservation. Even if you're not used to hiking 10 miles, walking back downhill from the top is easier than the hassle of a shuttle bus in my opinion.
You can take the guided tour bus to Glacier Point (or get dropped off by friends or family), and then hike about 5 miles downhill. This option makes the most sense for hikers who want to experience the Four Mile Trail, but perhaps don't have the fitness to attempt the climb up from the bottom. Doing the hike this way offers a nice tour bus ride to Glacier Point and an easy downhill hike back into the Yosemite Valley.

I've included video and turn-by-turn guidance for both directions of the hike.

One thing NOT TO DO is start at Glacier Point, hike down, and then hike back up. The dynamic is like in the Grand Canyon. People hike down much farther than they should because it's easy to go downhill, and then have to turn around and do a hard uphill to return to the start. Only attempt this if you know what you're getting yourself into.

Where Is The Four Mile Trail?

The Yosemite Valley Trailhead is located at:
Four Mile Trailhead, Southside Dr, Yosemite Village, CA 95389

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 2 — There's parking along Southside Drive, but only in sections marked for the Four Mile Trail, so please read the signs.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 3 — Don't park in the turnoff in front of the trailhead, it's the shuttle bus stop.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 4 — You can take the free El Capitan Shuttle Bus from the Yosemite Valley Visitor's Center to the trailhead. The stop is E6, Four Mile Trail.

The Glacier Point trailhead is, well, located at Glacier Point:
Glacier Point, Glacier Point Rd, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389

Four Mile Trail Glacier Point Start — There's a lot going on at Glacier Point, and finding the trailhead can be confusing. The trailhead is on the left once you pass the gift shop on the way to the actual Glacier Point viewpoint. I have pictures in the directions below.

Gear for the Hike

This is a "hike hike," and I recommend proper hiking gear if you have it. In a pinch, you can get away with fitness clothing. I recommend bringing 2L of water for the way up and then refilling at water fountains at Glacier Point. There's also a (seasonal) gift shop at Glacier Point that has all kinds of great bad good stuff like ice cream, snacks, and soda. It's always been a tradition for me to do the hike up, eat some ice cream and enjoy the views, and then hike back down. After hiking up, you've earned it.

Gear That I Love Right Now

Nothing is sponsored or promoted, just the actual gear that I use.

Garmin InReach Mini 2If you are out of cellphone range the Mini 2 will reliably allow you to hit SOS via satellite. You can see my review here.

HOKA Speedgoat 5These are a great balance of comfort and performance. The high stack height leaves my feet feeling great after a hike.

Check out the complete list here.

Four Mile Trail Trail Maps

When the Four Mile Trail was first built in 1872, it was a toll road ($1!), so the gradient is consistent, but tough. The trail was modified in the early 1920s to ease the grade, and in the process it was extended to 4.8 miles. Add on the stretch of trail to Glacier Point and it's more like 5 miles one-way. Set your expectations accordingly.

Use This Map:
View in CalTopo | PDF Map | GPX File

How Will You Navigate?

Using the Apple Watch for Hiking

Garmin Fenix 7 & Epix Review For Hikers

How To Read a Topographic Map

Garmin GPSMAP 67i Review

The original Four Mile Trail was built by the man the John Muir dubbed "Yosemite's master trail builder," John Conway. Conway surveyed the entire trail route using only a ship's protractor.

Elevation Profile

Four Mile Trail Hike Guide Elevation — It's pretty much all uphill from the valley to Glacier Point. Ignore the dip in the middle, it's an anomaly of the topo map.

3D Map

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions

Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 6 — Continue straight on the path along the valley floor.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 7 — Cross over the Valley Loop Trail and go straight.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 8 — The trail winds around to the right and you're greeted with this very cool Four Mile Trail sign. From here on out, you're going uphill along the base of Sentinel Dome (also a great hike).

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 9 — The lower slopes of the trail are paved.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 10 — Go pass the wilderness sign that on this day was vandalized by some filthy animals. You'll see a few warning signs. It's important to stay on the trail at all times; straying off for that perfect photo could mean falling to your death.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 11 — Go through the gates. In the winter the Four Mile Trail is closed.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 13 — After about 30 minutes you'll start getting expansive views west into the Yosemite Valley. This is known as the "reverse tunnel view" to the west. The regular tunnel view is best seen from Artist Point.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 1 — The trail continues up through the oak forest. You'll see lots of oak, pine, and cedar on the hike.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 14 — The trail winds around to the north and Upper Yosemite Falls comes into view. The Four Mile Trail has some of the best views of the falls in the park.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 15 — At about 2 miles in you'll be able to look down and see all the switchbacks that you've conquered. You can also see the Merced River winding through the valley.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 16 — Continue climbing up the switchbacks. You'll pass through another winter closure gate.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 17 — As the trail winds around to the northeast, you'll start getting glimpses of Half Dome.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 18 — Just after three miles you'll come to the junction for Union Point. It's only a few minutes to check it out.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 19 — The trail to Union Point goes through some low scrub.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 20 — And then arrives at the Union Point overlook. More great views.

Let's continue back on the main Four Mile Trail.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 21 — As you pass Union Point you'll get some stunning views of Sentinel Rock, a popular climbing spot and subject of a famous Ansel Adams photo.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 22 — Keep going up the last few sections of switchbacks as they hug the cliff wall. The trail is always wide enough for at least two people to walk by; you don't have to squeak by on any narrow ledges.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 23 — Now that the trail has come around to the northeast side of the valley wall, the views of Half Dome are impressive.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 24 — Finally the switchbacks end and you just have a plain old uphill section through the forest. The gradient here in the last mile is not as tough as the first four miles of the hike.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 25 — One last little uphill section to Glacier Point. At the top of the hill, make the hard left.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 26 — And in an instant you're plunged into a world of tour bus mobs. It's always a bit of a shock to come off the trail into this crowd. Just focus on the views...

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 29 — Once you come off the Four Mile Trail, there's a gift shop to your right. If you want any snacks, bathrooms, or water, that's the place to get them.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 27 — Continue (left from the Four Mile Trail) towards Glacier Point, down the paved trails.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 28 — And here you are, Glacier Point!

Glacier Point to Yosemite Valley

Check out the earlier map to pinpoint the trailhead.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 30 — Look for the Four Mile Trail heading down from the stairs.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 31 — You'll see a sign for the Four Mile Trail as you head into the forest to the left.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 32 — Here's another trail sign. You have 4.4 miles of sweet downhill in front of you.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 33 — Keep hiking past the trail rules sign.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 34 — The trail winds its way through the trees.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 35 — And soon you come out to the side of the ledge and unobstructed views of Half Dome and the Tenaya Valley.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 36 — The trail continues to wind around the ledges.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 37 — And as you continue you'll get views of Upper Yosemite Falls.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 38 — Head down the dozens of switchbacks.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 39 — At Union Point, continue downhill to the right. If you want to visit Union Point, see the earlier directions.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 40 — The trail winds its way down along the cliff. Although the trail is steep, there are no narrow edges.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 41 — You'll see the trail unfold beneath you.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 42 — Pass through the winter gate.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 43 — And you'll have more great views of Yosemite Falls.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 44 — And as you descend you'll see El Capitan and the western Yosemite Valley.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 45 — Soon the trail goes into the oak forest and the views give way to peaceful greenery.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 46 — As you come out of the forest on the valley floor, pass the big trail sign and bear to the left.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 47 — Hike straight through at the junction with the Valley Loop Trail.

Four Mile Trail Hike Directions 48 — And here you are, the end of the hike!

Need More Info?

Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.
When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!). You can stay up to date with my new guides by following me on YouTube, Instagram, or by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.