Trek California — Yosemite Valley, USA

Yosemite's Mist Trail: Vernal & Nevada Falls

One of Yosemite's greatest day hikes — a steep granite staircase drenched in waterfall spray, climbing past Vernal Fall to the top of Nevada Fall and looping back on the John Muir Trail.

Duration: 1 day
Distance: 11 km
Ascent: 880 m
Difficulty: Hard
Best season: Late spring to early summer (May–June) for peak waterfall flow

The Mist Trail is the most popular short-but-serious hike in Yosemite Valley, and for good reason: it climbs beside two of the park’s most powerful waterfalls, often walking you straight through their spray. From Happy Isles the trail follows the Merced River up a granite giant’s staircase, and in late spring the mist off Vernal Fall throws complete circular rainbows across the rock.

It is short in distance but relentless in grade, gaining about 880 m (2,900 ft) over slick stone steps. Treat it as a full, demanding day.

Getting there. The trail starts at the Happy Isles trailhead at the east end of Yosemite Valley, reached on the free Valley shuttle (stop 16) or on foot from the Curry Village / Half Dome Village area.

Permits & tickets. No permit is needed for the Vernal and Nevada Fall day hike. A wilderness permit is required to camp in Little Yosemite Valley, and a separate Half Dome permit (with cables in place, roughly late May to mid-October) is required to continue to the summit.

Good to know:

The granite steps beside Vernal Fall stay wet and slippery well into summer — waterproofs and good grip matter.
Waterfall flow peaks with the snowmelt in May and June and can slow to a trickle by late summer.
Start early: parking and the shuttle fill fast, and the exposed granite gets hot by midday.

Day 1

Happy Isles to Nevada Fall and back

Happy Isles → Happy Isles 11 km 880 m

Navigate this day

A single strenuous loop: climb the Mist Trail past Vernal and Nevada Falls, then descend the gentler John Muir Trail back to Happy Isles.

Segments

Happy Isles to the Vernal Fall Footbridge 1.3 km 120 m Map

Happy Isles trailhead → Vernal Fall Footbridge

Paved river trail

A steady paved climb along the roaring Merced River brings you in about 0.8 miles to the footbridge, with the first framed view of Vernal Fall upstream. Water and toilets here — the last before the steep work begins. About 30 minutes.
The Mist Trail to the top of Vernal Fall 0.6 km 180 m Map

Vernal Fall Footbridge → Top of Vernal Fall

Granite staircase in the spray

The trail's signature stretch: over 600 stone steps cut into the cliff climb directly beside 97 m (317 ft) Vernal Fall, soaking you in spray and, on sunny spring mornings, framing full circular rainbows. Emerald Pool waits at the top. About 45 minutes.
Vernal Fall to the top of Nevada Fall 2.4 km 280 m Map

Top of Vernal Fall → Top of Nevada Fall

Granite steps and switchbacks

Climb on above Emerald Pool through more steep switchbacks to the brink of Nevada Fall, at 181 m (594 ft) almost twice the height of Vernal Fall, with the granite dome of Liberty Cap looming behind it. This is the turnaround for most hikers. Around 90 minutes.
Optional: toward the Half Dome subdome 6 km 550 m Map

Top of Nevada Fall → Half Dome subdome (turnaround)

Forest trail then granite steps

For strong hikers with a Half Dome permit and an early start, the trail continues through Little Yosemite Valley and up switchbacks toward the granite subdome below Half Dome's famous cables. This adds several hours and is optional — most day hikers turn back at Nevada Fall.
Descent on the John Muir Trail 6.4 km 0 m Map

Top of Nevada Fall → Happy Isles

John Muir Trail switchbacks

Loop back down the longer, gentler John Muir Trail, which trades the wet steps for steady switchbacks and the classic postcard view of both waterfalls from Clark Point. Easier on the knees than descending the Mist Trail. About 2 hours.