Mist Trail to Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls

6 miles - Hard Effort
Or: 3 miles, 7.5 miles
3-5 Hours (Total)
2,600 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 6,020 feet
No Dogs Allowed

Considered the classic Yosemite hike, the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls lives up to its hype. The lower slopes are paved and scenic, but then you cross the Merced River and hike through the mist up 600 granite steps to the 317-foot Vernal Falls (3 miles round-trip). You can then continue to the massive and booming 594-foot Nevada Falls (6 miles round-trip). And for a (highly recommended) loop hike back, follow the famous John Muir Trail down scenic switchbacks where you'll get great views of Nevada Falls and Liberty Dome.

In this Guide:

Video & Turn by Turn Directions for the Mist Trail
How to Get to the Mist Trail Trailhead
Everything You Need to Know To Prepare for the Hike
Options for 3 mile (total) hike to Vernal Falls, 6 mile (total) hike to Nevada Falls, and 7.5 mile (total) hike to Nevada Falls and Back on the John Muir Trail with Scenic Viewpoints

Quick Links: Yosemite National Park - NOAA Weather Report - Top Gear Picks (Mar 2023)

When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

#1 Tip: Leave at sunrise to beat the crowds! Tons of people do this hike as the day wears on and it's a much different experience when it's just you, the waking forest, and the waterfalls.

Crowds At Yosemite — Here's the Vernal Falls Bridge at 9am on a Monday in July. At 11am this will be like a packed New York subway car. Not fun. Do your hike early, and if you can't make it early, go later in the afternoon.

How to Get to the Mist Trail in Yosemite

Your best bet to hike the Mist Trail is to take the (free) green park shuttle bus to the Happy Isles stop (#16) and hike from there. Happy Isles is at the far (eastern) end of Yosemite Valley, just past Curry Village. The mileage in this guide (and in the National Parks official guides) starts from there.

Use this trailhead address:
Happy Isles Shuttle Stop (#16), Yosemite Valley, CA 95389

Mist Trail Parking — Here's the Yosemite shuttle bus map. Take the bus to Happy Isles and start hiking from there. You can also park close in one of the lots if you can find a spot.

If you'd like to drive as close as you can to the trailhead, there's a parking lot, the Yosemite Valley Parking Lot, about 0.5 miles from Happy Isles. The lot is usually closed in the peak season after the early morning; it's commonly reserved for those hiking Half Dome or the backcountry. In the off-season it can be open. Just park and walk down the road.

And you can park around Curry Village in the public Half Dome Village Parking Lot as well. Again, just walk down the road 0.8 miles to the trailhead.

Starting The Mist Trail — Once you get to the Happy Isles shuttle stop, walk down the road, across the Happy Isles Bridge, and then right onto the trail. More in the video and turn-by-turn directions below.

Gear for the Hike

It certainly helps to do this hike with proper hiking gear if you have it. If you don't have hiking clothes, your best bet is fitness clothes. The trail can be wet and slippery, so good hiking boots or shoes help, as do trekking poles. Be prepared to get wet too; the mist from the falls makes it seem like it's raining out (watch the video below). I use a simple rain jacket / wind breaker.

It's also a longer hike, so bring plenty of water (at least 1L, 2L recommended) and snacks. There are bathrooms along the hike; I've noted them on the map below. If you're hiking later in the day and aren't experienced doing this distance, bring a headlamp or flashlight in case you take longer than you think.

Top Spring 2023 Gear Picks

Osprey Stratos and Sirrus 24 Daypack ( Amazon | Sirrus REI | Stratos REI )
Garmin Mini 2 Satellite Communicator ( Amazon | REI )
Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles ( REI | Amazon )
As a hiking guide, I test lots of hiking gear. On my picks page, I'll show you all of the gear that I actually use. I don't accept paid promotions or talk about the stuff that doesn't make the cut. It's just the gear that works best, so you don't have to waste your money.

All My March 2023 Top Gear Picks

Mist Trail, Vernal Falls, Nevada Falls Trail Maps

The trails are very well marked in Yosemite, and especially on the popular Mist Trail. That said, some sections can be tricky so make sure you study the images in the directions and watch the video. It's not an area of Yosemite that you have to worry about getting lost in; you'll be with tons of other people. You just want to avoid turning onto the wrong trail.

Explore Map on CalTopo View a Printable PDF Hike Map Download the Hike GPX File

Free Nav Tools: GaiaGPS - AllTrails

Guides to Help You Navigate

How To Use the AllTrails App (Beginners)

Hiking With Gaia GPS For Beginners

How-To Use Routes, Tracks, and Waypoints on Garmin

How To Read a Topographic Map

Hike Landmarks

Landmark	Distance	Elevation
Happy Isles Shuttle Stop	0	4020
Vernal Falls Bridge	1	4400
Vernal Falls	1.6	5000
Bridge	1.9	5150
Bathrooms / Trail Junction	2.8	5980
Nevada Falls	3	5930

Trail Elevation

3D Map

Mist Trail 3d — Here's a good 3D view of the hike. The Mist Trail follows the Merced River up the valley. The alternate way back down on the John Muir Trail offers incredible views north and east into the heart of Yosemite.

Alternate Return On the John Muir Trail

I've included directions for an alternate loop back down to the start from Nevada Falls on the John Muir Trail. I highly recommend taking this way back down for several reasons.

You won't beat up your knees going down the granite stairs.
It's safer to descend on the John Muir Trail. There are no places to potentially slip on a wet granite step and fall.
You won't have to walk against crowds coming up the Mist Trail.
The trail is not nearly as crowded as the Mist Trail.
You'll get incredible views of Nevada Falls, Liberty Dome, and the back of Half Dome.

Being Safe On the Mist Trail

Falls Warning — People die every year because they did not head warnings on signs like this. Don't be one of them.

As Yosemite's signature and most popular hike, the Mist Trail, as you might imagine, has its share of accidents and deaths. That doesn't mean it's a dangerous trail. Thousands of people hike it safely all the time. But if you don't follow the rules, you could end up as a fatality.

Don't go into, wade in, or go right next to the water. Think about what would happen if you were to slip into the river. How slick is the granite? Would you be able to stop? People fall into the water, slip, get swept away, and die here. It's real.
Heed all the warning signs.
If the trail is crowded, hug the inside of the trail and let others pass on the outside.
If you are passing, let others know before you pass, and do so very carefully. If you don't feel like you can pass safely on a section of the trail, stay behind and pass in a better section.
In the winter the trail can be closed due to falling ice. Heed all trail closures or detours.
I wouldn't do this hike with small children.

Hikers On Edge Nevada Falls — These people are standing on wet granite, about 1 foot away from a fall down all 594 feet of Nevada Falls. Here's an example of what not to do.

Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls Hike Directions

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Video Directions

Turn by Turn Directions

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 2 — From the shuttle bus stop, continue up Happy Isles Loop Road.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 3 — The Mist Trail is popular and you should see some signs confirming that you're hiking in the right direction. Keep hiking down the road and over the Happy Isles Bridge.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 4 — Once you're over the bridge, make the hard right onto the Mist Trail.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 5 — The trail splits, hike to the left.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 6 — The trail is paved here and starts to climb. It will probably be a little steeper than you think.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 7 — Pass this very cool sign with mileages to some of the top attractions of Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada, including Mt Whitney, the highest point in the lower 48, which you can reach on the John Muir Trail in 211 miles from this point.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 8 — The trail continues uphill, with the Merced River down to your right.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 9 — After a good deal of uphill on the paved path, you'll start to descend to the bridge.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 10 — Cross over the Vernal Falls Bridge after having a look around.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 11 — If you look upstream from the bridge you'll see Vernal Falls in the distance.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 12 — There are bathrooms and water refill stations here.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 13 — Continue over the bridge and up along the southern bank of the river.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 14 — At the intersection with the John Muir Trail (to the right), continue straight. This is the "official" start of the Mist Trail. If you take the loop trail option back down, you'll come out from the trail on the right on your way back.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 15 — There's a cool Mist Trail sign right after the junction. If you're hiking to Half Dome you'll be hiking on this stretch of trail too.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 16 — Soon you hike out of the trees and onto a granite path along the raging Merced River.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 17 — And soon the falls will spectacularly come into view, as will the beginning of the steps. You'll be climbing 600 wet granite steps to get to the top of Vernal Falls.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 18 — Some of the narrow sections offer handrails. Please stay behind the rails and stay safe.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 19 — You get a break from the mist when the trail briefly winds away from the falls.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 20 — And then comes back out onto the granite cliffs for the last steep and narrow stretch to the top.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 21 — This part of the trail is narrow, so take care.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 22 — And soon you emerge slightly above Vernal Falls. Hike down the hills to check out the falls.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 23 — Hike out to the fence where you can (safely) get to the edge of Vernal Falls.

Vernal, meaning "of spring" refers to the fact that the falls flow the most in spring when the snow melts.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 25 — This viewpoint is pretty epic. Soak in Vernal Falls and move on.

If you want to do the 3 mile hike, simply turn around and go back the way you came from here. Be careful on the slippery steps back down.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 24 — To continue hiking to Nevada Falls, follow the river upstream along the fence.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 26 — Keep hiking straight, avoiding any unofficial trails to the water on the left, Emerald Pool. And as always, stay out of the water.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 27 — There are bathrooms here to the right, otherwise continue straight.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 28 — The trail twists off to the right, away from the river, and starts to climb.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 29 — The climb gets rocky but is easy to follow.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 30 — And you'll start getting glimpses of Nevada Falls in the distance.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 31 — When you reach the Clark Point Cutoff Trail (right), keep hiking to the left.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 32 — Hike over the bridge.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 33 — Then start climbing again as the trail heads up to Nevada Falls through the pine forest.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 34 — When you reach this flat section, the trail continues as a hard left. You can go straight for a nice view of the falls.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 35 — Here's a view of Nevada Falls from that last flat area.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 36 — Otherwise the Mist Trail continues uphill, winding away from the falls for a bit.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 37 — And then it comes back out of the trees for some dramatic views.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 38 — There's one last steep stretch of switchbacks before the climbing is over for the day on the Mist Trail.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 39 — At the intersection, make the hard right to continue to Nevada Falls. There are bathrooms at the junction here too. If you were hiking to Half Dome, you'd head left here.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 40 — After the junction follow the trail on the right.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 41 — And soon you'll see the Nevada Falls area in front of you. Hike down and cross the bridge.

People In Water Nevada Falls — Please stay out of the water. The massive red signs telling you that the area is dangerous are real. If you slip here and get picked up by the current you have about 100 feet before you go over.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 42 — The view from the bridge is breathtaking as the Merced falls almost 600 feet down the granite cliff.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 44 — Look up and admire Liberty Cap, rising 1700 feet from where you are and named after the pointy Liberty Cap found on old US coins.

From here you can turn around and go back the way you came, or you can take the (slightly longer but easier) loop back down the John Muir Trail. If you are taking the John Muir Trail loop back down, follow the directions below. Otherwise just turn around and hike back down.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 43 — Hike across the flat rock on the other side of the Nevada Falls bridge.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 45 — The trail heads into the woods.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 46 — And continues along the ridge where you'll get some nice peeks into the valley. The spectacular views are coming in a minute.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 47 — Go straight at the junction with the Panorama Trail.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 48 — And soon you emerge for about a mile of nothing but views.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 49 — As you hike down on this section, make sure you look back for some great views of Nevada Falls, where you just were.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 50 — When you reach the junction, you're at Clark Point. Make the hard left to continue down the John Muir Trail.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 51 — From here you will descend down what will seem like 100s of switchbacks. Enjoy the downhill, you earned it.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 52 — Continue straight down the trail as it approaches the river. The trail to the left is for mules.

Mist Trail Yosemite Directions 1 — And soon you'll rejoin the Mist Trail that you came up earlier. Make the left, continue over the Vernal Falls Bridge and back to the shuttle bus stop. That's the hike!

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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!).

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