Hiking the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail: Are You Up For a Challenge?

Yosemite National Park has hundreds of hiking trails, short and long, easy and hard. And despite only being a 7 mile out-and-back trail, the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail is definitely a challenging hike!

This trail has over 3,300 feet of elevation gain, some difficult terrain, and should not be underestimated. You really have to ask yourself if you’re up for a challenge before starting this hike.

Today we’ll dive into all the details about this hike. From where to park, how to prep, and hopefully all the information you could ever need to have a great hike!

Important Links

Location

Let’s start with where the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail is located. The trailhead for Upper Yosemite Falls is in Yosemite Valley and located right by Camp 4, a tent camping area in the valley.

If you’re flying into the Fresno Airport (the closest airport), you’re looking at a 2.5 hour drive to the trailhead. If you are coming from larger airports, like Los Angeles or San Francisco, you’ll be looking at a 6.5 hours drive or a 4 hour drive respectively.

Now for the boring part, the fees.

Fees

Just like all the national parks, Yosemite National Park has an entrance fee. The average visitor will pay the Standard Fee ($35) which covers everyone in a non-commercial vehicle. This fee gives that vehicle access to the park for 7 days. Motorcycles have a $30 entry, which is also good for 7 days.

However, if you plan on visiting Yosemite more than 2 times in a 12 month period, there is an annual option. Or if you want to visit several national parks in a 12 month period, there is a slightly different pass option for you.

Annual Pass Options

If you are planning on visiting JUST Yosemite National Park 2 or more times in a year, you will want to purchase their Annual Pass. This pass is good for 12 months, costs $70, and gets you and a car-full of guests into the park with no additional fees.

On the other hand, if you are planning on visiting 3 or more national parks, monuments, seashores, etc., in a 12 month period, you will want to purchase an America the Beautiful Pass. This pass is $80 for US citizens and allows you and a car-full of guests to enter any national park without any additional fees.

My husband and I have purchased an America the Beautiful Pass for the last 5 years and it has saved us a fortune!

What about reservations to get into Yosemite?

Reservations

For 2026, reservations are no longer required for visitors to enter Yosemite Valley. In previous years, reservations were required, but this year you don’t have to.

This will certainly create more crowds and even more challenging parking situations. Make sure you are arriving early and have the mentality that if you grab a parking spot, stay there and make the best of the area you are in.

Parking Close to the Trail

Speaking of parking, the closest parking for the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail is located in the Yosemite Falls Parking Lot. This lot isn’t particularly large, but if you arrive early enough, you should be able to snag a spot.

There is also some parking across the street from the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail, located here. This is the Yosemite Valley Lodge and there are a decent amount of parking spots.

And the final option is to get parking anywhere and hop on one of the FREE Yosemite shuttles. You’ll be stopping at the Yosemite Valley Lodge stop and head over to the trailhead from there.

Trail Stats

Now we’ve come to the trail stats. The Upper Yosemite Falls Trail is quite difficult, and should not be underestimated. Here is the link to the AllTrails trail information.

Distance: ~7 miles out-and-back
Elevation Gain: ~3,300 feet
Difficulty: Hard
Time on Trail: 6 – 8 hours

This trail is hard for so many different reasons, let’s get into it.

Why is the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail So Challenging?

While the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail is only 7 miles out and back, it is quite the challenging trail. Here are a few things to consider and know before you attempt this hike.

The Elevation Gain: With well over 3,300 feet of elevation gain across 3.5 miles, this trail is STEEP.
The Switchbacks: There are over 60 switchbacks on this trail. And while that doesn’t sound like a lot on paper, that’s 120 times you’re turning right, then left, then right, etc. This can be grueling mentally as they never seem to end.
The Uneven Ground: The first mile of the trail is very well maintained. It’s steep, but fairly easy to navigate. The next 2.5 miles are more rocky and slick, making it easy to slip or fall. Hiking poles are highly encouraged on this trail due to the terrain.
The Exposure: This trail starts in the woods, but by mile 1 you are completely exposed to the sun beating down on you. And because this section of trail is tucked back in a rock crevice, there is little to no airflow to make it better.

If you are an experienced hiker, this trail might not worry you. But please don’t underestimate it, it’s truly a challenging hike.

Expected Time

Now, one last logistical thing that we need to discuss is the expected time on the trail. This trail is estimated to take you 6 – 8 hours. If you spend more time at the top or extend the trail out to Yosemite Point, it will be even longer.

And with a longer time outside means more preparation.

In Your Backpack

In your backpack, you’ll want to pack enough snacks/food for a full day out on the trails. Think food like a sandwich, granola bars, fruit snacks, and anything else that you like to snack on. This also means you’ll need approximately 2 – 3 liters of water per person for this hike.

Also in your backpack you’ll want to have a med kit in case something happens. Be aware there’s no phone service out here, so you’ll need to be prepared for as much as you can.

Sunscreen, bug spray, and a rain coat are also good ideas. Sunscreen should always be worn when out in the sun. The bugs can be unbearable in Yosemite in the late spring and summer. And a rain coat is a good idea for unexpected rain.

And finally, remember to pack layers. Hiking in Yosemite can start off cold, even in the summer, but then heat up pretty quickly as the day goes. So make sure you have room to pack these extra clothes away as you shed layers throughout the day.

I will also recommend a sturdy shoe with good ankle support and hiking poles on this hike. The uneven rocks could easily lead to a twisted ankle if you aren’t careful.

+Our Itinerary

Now, here was our itinerary for hiking the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail. You might hike faster or slower than my husband and I, but here is an idea of timing.

The view from the top of Upper Yosemite Falls

PLEASE NOTE: we started this hike later than we should have because it was a cooler day in the spring and we watched the sunrise at Tunnel View. You’ll definitely want to start sooner.

9am – Parked and started on the trail
10:15am – Arrived at Columbia Rock
11am – Arrived at the Base of Upper Yosemite Falls – Began Switchbacks!
12:45pm – Arrived at the Top of Upper Yosemite Falls
1pm – Lunch
1:30pm – Began Descent
3:30pm – Arrived at Columbia Rock again
4:20pm – Arrived Back at the Car

In total we were hiking for about 6.5 hours and out on the trail for a little over 7 hours. The Upper Yosemite Falls Trail was definitely a tough trail, and we were hot and tired when we got back to the car.

So let’s dive into our hike!

Our Hike – Upper Yosemite Falls Trail

My husband and I hiked the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail in early April of 2026. We hiked this trail on a Wednesday, so we didn’t have nearly the crowds that would be there on a weekend.

We parked at the Lower Yosemite Falls area and walked over to the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail, which added about a mile to our hike. But besides that, our hike was very similar to the trail stats above.

The Start

The Upper Yosemite Falls Trail starts off pretty well maintained. There are a mix of stairs and steep sections, but it’s very easy to follow.

The switchbacks started right away, growing steeper and steeper as we went. The trail wasn’t too terribly challenging at first, which led us to have a false confidence about the trail…but I’ll get to that.

After a little over an hour and a mile of hiking up, we finally came to the first stunning view, Columbia Rock.

Columbia Rock

Columbia Rock is an overlook with a metal fence where you can overlook the valley below. There is an excellent view of Half Dome at this point and you can see the Merced River flowing below you.

I want to note that this overlook was quite crowded in the morning. But there was no one there in the afternoon.

I also want to note that quite a few people turned around here. They did not continue on the trail since the trail only gets harder from here. So if you are struggling at this point, enjoy the view and turn around. Trust me, this hike isn’t going to get easier any time soon.

Don’t Be Fooled By the Downhill Section

After Columbia Rock, there is another 0.3 miles (ish) of incline, and then the trail leads you downhill. Initially we were very thankful to have a break from the steepness of the trail, but don’t worry, it’ll get worse.

As you hike downhill, the trail is leading you right beside the middle part of Yosemite Falls. Eventually we came to the base of Upper Yosemite Falls and were in awe of its beauty and power.

The trail leads you to the left and then the hardest 2 miles of this trail begins.

The NEVER ENDING Switchbacks

These next 2 miles are made up of neverending switchbacks and one of the steepest trails we’ve ever hiked.

This section is also completely in the sun, making for a hot hike. I ended up changing my shirt halfway and was glad I packed a tanktop.

As we continued to turn left, then right, then left, then right again, we were taking plenty of breaks on the way up. Both to sip on our water and to have a few snacks.

Just when we couldn’t take the switchbacks any longer, we crested the hill and just had a little further to walk. This last section is mostly flat and FINALLY seems to be leading somewhere. Within a few minutes we could hear the roar of the falls.

Top of the Upper Yosemite Falls

The top of the Yosemite Falls is actually located below where you just hiked to. We had to go down a steep rocky section and then around a steep ledge before coming to the top of the falls.

Unfortunately, there isn’t the greatest view of the waterfall here. You can just see the water falling. Personally, I was a little disappointed with the ending of this hike. Don’t get me wrong, the view of the valley below is awesome, but there wasn’t much we could see of Upper Yosemite Falls.

The Descent

After we sat, rested, ate lunch, and grabbed a quick photo, we started back the way we came.

The hike down is certainly easier than the way up, but we had to be very careful of our footing. The rocks are slick with dust and we were glad to have our hiking poles. We actually saw a few people fall from the rocky terrain, but thankfully no one was hurt.

We took our time returning to the car and boy were we hot and tired after this hike.

All in all we were out hiking for a little over 7 hours and we had a great time. However, my word of caution is to not underestimate this trail!

Other Trails

Yosemite is filled with hundreds of miles of trails. Half Dome is one of the most iconic trails, but you need a permit to hike to the top of the dome.

There is also the Four Mile Trail, which is an incredibly rewarding way to reach Glacier Point. Or there is the iconic Mist Trail that leads you right beside Vernal and Nevada Falls.

And if you’re looking for an easier trail, the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail or the Valley Loop Trail are great options. Truly there is something for every level of hiker here.

Below are a few other places that you just can’t miss!

Things To Do in the Area

Yosemite National Park is filled with incredible hikes and views. Whether you’re up for a challenge or just want to see the sights in half a day, there are a few non-negotiable places everyone has to see.

The first must-see location is Tunnel View. This site is iconic and every visitor must see it. You can learn everything you need to know right here. Next up is another beautiful view called Valley View. This little spot is worth walking for if you can’t get a parking spot in the immediate area. Don’t skip Valley View when visiting Yosemite.

And finally is the amazing Glacier Point. This location can be seen by driving out to the end of Glacier Point Road, or Hiking the Four Mile Trail. My husband and I hiked the Four Mile Trail and absolutely loved this trail. Check out all the details here.

Conclusion

Hiking the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail is no joke! Make sure you are prepared for a hard day hike and start early! It’s a tough hike, but any day in Yosemite National Park is a great day.

As always, feel free to email me at averagewildexperience@gmail.com with any questions.

-Happy Hiking!

Hiking the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail: Are You Up For a Challenge?

Important Links

Location