Half Dome

Mountain peak · Mariposa County ·

Half Dome

Mountain peak · Mariposa County ·

Iconic granite dome hike with cable ascent, permitting required

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California Get directions

@travelleisure

27,057 Postcards · 5,402 Cities

These Are the Most Popular Destinations for a Romantic Getaway

"Rated the best destination for feeling romantically connected, with breathtaking natural beauty setting the stage for love." - Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca is an award-winning journalist and co-founder of Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeare

https://www.travelandleisure.com/most-popular-destinations-for-romantic-getaway-analysis-8784752

Half Dome

@cntraveler

40,944 Postcards · 5,496 Cities

How to Maximize Your Vacation Days in 2025: Turn 15 PTO Days into 48

"Take a road trip to this iconic national park known for its stunning granite cliffs, waterfalls, and diverse ecosystems."

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/how-to-maximize-vacation-days-2025

Half Dome

@travelleisure

27,057 Postcards · 5,402 Cities

25 Best Hikes in the World

"A steep granite dome in Yosemite National Park that requires a permit to ascend and involves gripping a cable system along a wildly exposed final slope. The climb is considered one of America’s most iconic hikes and is best suited to hikers comfortable with heights and physical challenge, with permits typically allocated by lottery." - Carrie Dennis Carrie Dennis Carrie Dennis is a New York City-based writer and editor with more than a decade of content strategy experience. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Gothamist, Time magazine, Men’s Journal, Redbook, and Thrillist. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

https://www.travelandleisure.com/25-of-the-world-s-most-incredible-hiking-trails-7501816

Half Dome

@travelleisure

27,057 Postcards · 5,402 Cities

This Is the Most Picturesque Mountain in the World

"Placed at No. 9, this distinctive granite formation in California's Yosemite National Park is a heavily photographed landmark and a symbol of the park's dramatic scenery." - Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca is an award-winning journalist and co-founder of Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeared in print or online for Travel + Leisure, Time, Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many more. You'll usually find her in an airport. If you do see her there, please say hello. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

https://www.travelandleisure.com/most-beautiful-mountains-on-earth-study-8613311

Half Dome

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,700 Cities

"No other landmark in Yosemite is as well recognized and beloved as Half Dome, the steely granite monolith towering 4,347 feet above Yosemite Valley. Geologist Josiah Whitney declared it “inaccessible” in 1870 but was proven wrong only five years later when a climber succeeded in scaling the back of the dome to the summit. Since then, the route has become so popular—and crowded—that the National Park Service was forced to establish a permit lottery in 2011 to keep numbers at a manageable 50,000 or so per year. Though many want to try it, the steep 16-mile hike—including the last 400 feet via cables—is for neither the faint of heart nor weak of limb. If that sounds too challenging, know that there are several spectacular views of Half Dome that require only short hikes or no walking at all. Hike a short distanceto Cook’s Meadow in the valley, take a bus to Glacier Point, or drive to Olmsted Lookout or the Tunnel View overlook on Highway 41."

The Best Things to Do in Yosemite

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Half Dome

Luis E.

Google

My wife and I hiked Half Dome on 10/24/25. We spent the night at Lower Pines Campground and started the trail at 4:30 a.m. We reached Subdome around 10:30 a.m. The hike wasn’t too difficult until the last two hours. Crampons helped a lot since the final section had snow and icy rock. The cables were much steeper than I expected. They were down, so we put on our harnesses and prepared for the climb. It took us longer than anticipated. You really need to be both physically and mentally prepared; it’s a very dangerous hike, and you shouldn’t attempt it unless you feel fully capable. We used harnesses with double hooks so we were attached to the cables the entire time. I would definitely do it again, but probably in the summer—and I’d still use the harness. Overall, it was an unforgettable experience! Yosemite is such a beautiful national park.

Kristina W.

Google

Made it to the top of HALF DOME 😳⛰️☀️👏🏼🥵 Successfully- Challenge YESS! Start time 4am - End time-1pm 8 miles up - 8 miles down = 16 miles Elevation - 8,839 - backpacking Out of Breath- Adventure is Wild - worth it

Amit S.

Google

Wonderful day and one of the best ways to experience Yosemite. The views from the top and along the way are breathtaking. Some tips I found useful: Start very early in the morning so you can take your time and enjoy the views. Bring a lot of water (at least 5 liters per person) or a filter bottle. Don’t miss it! Register to the lottery as many times as needed until you get the permit, you won’t regret it.

Isaiah M.

Google

Ok. So before we went on this hike I did a lot of research. How much water to bring, snacks, lunch, difficulty level, etc. So let me tell you this first. If you're a lower level hiker like myself this trip will be the hardest hike you've ever been on. For myself and my family it took us down! Tired, blisters, dehydration, sore muscles, etc. It would have been better if we hiked halfway, camped, and then did the second half with fresh legs. We sadly didn't make it to the top of half dome. But we made it all the way to the base of sub dome. Well, most of us. Our two older kids stopped at the river and took a dip while the rest of us trudged on. We hike a lot of smaller trails and we even hiked the same distance as half dome on the Silver Falls hike in Oregon. But the amount of uphill and rock stair case climbing is what killed us. Silver Falls is mostly flat. Same distance, but flat. This hike was both mentally challenging as well as physically challenging. I don't know that I'll make another attempt. At least anytime soon! But I was super proud of my family for doing it together! 4 kids, my wife and I with ages from 45 down to 9 years old. Making it to sub dome was quite the accomplishment! Maher Clan! The beauty and views alone are worth the hike! But if you're an average hiker like we are prepare to get your butt kicked! Just sayin!

Jag S.

Google

If you’re planning to hike Half Dome, here’s what you’ll need: sturdy hiking shoes with excellent grip, gloves for the cables (no need to spend $$ on some fancy gloves - inexpensive ones from Home Depot work great), plenty of water, and an early start around 3:30a. The hike is very doable if you’re reasonably fit and not afraid of heights, but preparation makes all the difference.

Tomi L.

Google

What an awesome & unique hiking experience this was! Got fortunate on the 3rd attempt on permit lottery to do this hike. Trail overview & ascend: Started the hike on 5 a.m from Curry Village Parking lot, which already had quite a lot of cars at that point. Followed the Alltrails route along JMT, which was easy to track - there were also signs along the route to help you navigate. Arrived by the start of the famous stairs at 9 a.m and reached the summit 30 minutes later. Note that there will be a lot of waiting on the stairs as you're making way for the people coming down (which also makes the climb less physically demanding) Water: Packed 4 liters of water and plenty of snacks. The last opportunity to fill up water (with filtering) during the ascend is from the river by the camp site couple of miles from the top. Most of the water was consumed during the descend as the California heat was really kicking in around noon. Ran out of water 2 miles before the end of hike, luckily there was a water filling station by the Vernal Fall Foot Bridge. There are outhouses along the way, which was a big plus! The stair section itself was not as scary as social media can make it look like. Having a good grip strength and knowing how to use body especially during the descend will make it fairly simple to conquer. Simply breathtaking views from the top, making the 13km ascend 100% worth the effort.

Chaz P.

Google

What an unforgettable experience after months of planning and preparation! On October 5, 2023, three friends and I set out from Curry Village at 5:30 AM, determined to conquer Half Dome in a single day. Thirteen hours later—exhausted, exhilarated, and awe-struck—we returned, having completed over 20 miles round trip. Basecamp at Curry Village We stayed three nights in the canvas tents of Curry Village—simple but atmospheric. No heat, but plenty of charm. Nestled on the Valley floor beneath the shadow of Glacier Point, it offered stunning views of Half Dome itself. Between the food, coffee, and even drinks available, it made for the perfect launch pad into the wilderness. The Hike The trek was demanding yet deeply rewarding. It took us roughly 6.5 hours to summit, with plenty of pauses to take in the scenery. The first miles lulled us into rhythm, but the sub-dome tested every ounce of endurance—a relentless, steep ascent that felt unending. And then came the infamous cables—nearly 400 feet of vertical pull, where the granite seemed to tilt to an 80–90% grade. Adrenaline surged as hands gripped steel and boots searched for footing. Each step upward was as much mental as physical, demanding focus, strength, and courage. Standing on the summit, I couldn’t help but think of Alex Honnold, who free soloed 2,000+ feet of sheer granite without ropes. What felt monumental to me was a warm-up in his world—a sobering reminder of the extremes of human capacity. Lessons Learned If I were to do it again, I’d bring at least 4+ liters of water or a solid purification system. I nearly ran dry after the descent, but thankfully my friend’s purification tablets saved me from hiking the final 10 miles dehydrated. Stats • Total Time: 13:08:03 • Calories Burned: 4,091 • Average Pace: 39:06/mi (plenty of stops for scenery and recovery) • Total Distance: 20.14 miles Final Thoughts Half Dome was more than just a hike—it was a test of grit, patience, and determination. Physically punishing, mentally demanding, and spiritually humbling. Standing at the summit, with Yosemite sprawling in every direction, I felt the weight of creation’s grandeur and the fleetingness of my own strength. A true bucket list adventure—and one I’ll carry with me forever.

Jee S.

Google

Plenty of parking. There are lots of bathroom before heading to the Glacier point trail. About 4+ miles from the parking lot. There is a souvenir shop up there to purchase some drinks, ice cream and snacks. It is beautiful up there.