Sonora, California

Looking for the best hiking in Sonora? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Sonora. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Sonora

  • Mariposa County, California

    Glacier Point via Four Mile Trail

    5.0
    9.59 mi / 3940 ft gain
    Glacier Point is one of the highlights of Yosemite. The point is located at the end of Glacier Point Road. This viewpoint allows you to survey the entire Yosemite Valley and gives the viewer a captivating sight of Half Dome. It's a little bit of a tourist trap (especially during the summer season...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Union Point via Four Mile Trail

    6.09 mi / 3002 ft gain
    Four Mile Trail is steep, but hikers efforts are more than rewarded. Union Point sits above Yosemite Valley at 6,332 feet - offering sweeping views of El Capitan and the valley entrance to the left, and North Dome / Half Dome & Clouds Rest to the right. You can also see Yosemite Falls straigh...
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  • Yosemite Valley, California

    Sentinel Meadow Cook's Meadow Loop Trail

    4.5
    1.99 mi / 190 ft gain
    This short, easy walk provides some of the best views of several iconic Yosemite landmarks from the valley floor.  If you complete the entire loop, expect to see Yosemite Falls from the Swinging Bridge, Half Dome from Sentinel Bridge (a popular spot at sunset), and the historic Yosemite Chapel.  ...
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  • YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California

    Dewey Point via McGurk Meadow Trailhead

    5.0
    7.51 mi / 1253 ft gain
    Before you start, be sure to visit the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center and grab an overnight permit. More info on this at nps.gov. This trail meanders through beautiful, dense meadows full of wildlife - watch for bears! When you're not hiking among the wildflowers and babbling brooks, you're enc...
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  • Highway 108, California

    Hike to Deadman Lake

    6 mi / 1700 ft gain
    Start: 38º19'08.46"N 119º39'49.26"W Elev 8879ftPark along Hwy 108, head down the bank and across the stream at the bottom. There you will find the start of the trail.This is a challenging hike without much of an actual trail to follow for the majority of it. The hike is very steep in certain are...
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  • Highway 108, California

    Backpack to Blue Canyon Lake

    5.0
    3.6 mi / 1280 ft gain
    Trailhead Coordinates: 38º 19'08.46"N 119º39'49.26"W Elev 8897ftThe trail is kind of tricky to find. It is West of the PCT trailhead at Sonora Pass and it is not marked. You park along the side of Hwy 108 and scramble down an embankment where a creek flows at the bottom. Cross this creek and you ...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Porcupine Creek Trail to Indian Ridge Natural Arch to North Dome

    10.04 mi / 1985 ft gain
    Porcupine Creek Trail to Indian Ridge Natural Arch to North Dome is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Yosemite Valley, California.
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Taft Point

    4.9
    2.14 mi / 276 ft gain
    Taft Point is such an amazing and different view of the Yosemite Valley. If you're lucky and you time it right, you'll also experience complete solitude. While driving Glacier Point Road, just a few minutes before arriving at Glacier Point, you'll see a parking lot for the Taft Point Trailhead. ...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Sentinel Dome Trail

    5.0
    2.15 mi / 390 ft gain
    One of the most popular places in Yosemite for sunset is Glacier Point, but by walking one mile from the trailhead, the crowds quickly dissipate. Sentinel Dome is great for all ages since the trail is short and not too steep. Park at the Sentinel Dome trailhead, about 3 miles from the end of Glac...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Loop

    5.0
    5.17 mi / 1076 ft gain
    SENTINEL DOME & TAFT POINT TRAILHEAD: About an hour drive from Yosemite Valley campgrounds. This trailhead is an intersection of the starting point of the Taft Point trail and Sentinel Dome trail. It is a short walk (and visible) from the parking lot. In doing both trails, it would be an esti...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Hike to Alder Creek Falls

    10 mi / 1000 ft gain
    The trail leads from the parking area across the Mosquito Creek road and heads uphill north through an open pine forest with manzanita growing on dry slopes. The trail provides access to Alder Creek Falls a hidden gem within Yosemite's Wawona wilderness. I did the trail towards the end of Februar...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Reverse Summit of Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park

    4.5
    17 mi / 6100 ft gain
    Yosemite's Panorama Trail is undoubtedly one of the most scenic and worthwhile trails in the entire national park. The stretch that reaches from the valley floor to the top of Glacier Point involves 8.5 miles and a monumental amount of elevation gain. If you want to see the entire stretch of trai...
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  • YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California

    Illilouette Falls in Yosemite National Park

    4.5
    5.07 mi / 1375 ft gain
    The hike begins at Glacier Point. Find the marker for the Panorama Trail just beyond the viewing steps (to the right, if you’re looking at Half Dome). The first section of the hike will be lined with open views of Half Dome, Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls. It will be hard not to stop to listen ...
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  • Yosemite Village, California

    Taft Point via Glacier Point

    7.67 mi / 2011 ft gain
    The Taft Point Trail via Glacier Point Road is one of Yosemite’s most rewarding short hikes, offering massive granite cliffs, dizzying drop-offs, and unforgettable views of Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls—all without the crowds of more popular viewpoints. This relatively easy hike...
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  • Arnold, California

    Upper Gardner Meadow via Highland Lakes Trail

    3.96 mi / 364 ft gain
    Upper Gardner Meadow via Highland Lakes Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Markleeville, California.
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  • Yosemite Valley, California

    Mirror Lake

    4.6
    2.56 mi / 190 ft gain
    Mirror Lake is a very popular spot in the Yosemite Valley and definitely a must see to check off your explore list. Crowds are much smaller if you go during the winter, but some parts of the water might be iced over. The trailhead you take to get there is well marked and can be found at the far ...
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