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Pohono Trail + Four Mile Trail

Mariposa · Managed by Yosemite National Park (NPS) · Region: Yosemite National Park
Difficulty 32/100 · Moderatepoint to point#south-rim#valley-views#point-to-point#yosemite
Distance
18.3 mi
Total gain
4,150 ft
Net gain
4,150 ft
Net loss
4,150 ft
Days
3
Permit
Required
Campfires
Campfires allowed seasonally

Overview

This route walks the entire south rim of Yosemite Valley and then some: the Pohono Trail from Tunnel View to Glacier Point, then the Four Mile Trail down to the Valley floor. Eighteen miles, 4,150 feet of climbing, and every classic Valley viewpoint in between.

Highlights

  • El Capitan's face from across the canyon at golden hour
  • Dewey, Taft, and Stanford Points along the rim
  • Glacier Point's panorama mid-route
  • The Four Mile Trail's steep, spectacular descent

Logistics

  • Trailhead: Wawona Tunnel (Tunnel View) (4,941 ft) · parking: Tunnel View parking on Wawona Road; finish in Yosemite Valley
  • Water: Seasonal creeks only — the south rim dries by late summer; carry water for camp.
  • Resupply: None; Glacier Point and the Valley have services in season.
  • Shuttle: Point-to-point — finish down the Four Mile Trail in the Valley.
  • Bear canister required.

Permits

  • Agency: Yosemite National Park (NPS)
  • Reserve or apply on nps.gov
  • Quota: Trailhead quota for the Wawona Tunnel entry applies; 60% reservable 24 weeks out, 40% seven days out.
  • Reservation window: Lottery-based advance reservations; remaining quota releases weekly.

Campfires & stove regulations

Campfires allowed seasonally. Campfires are allowed only in existing rings below 9,600 ft and can be banned during fire season; the rim camps are dry and exposed. Current fire restrictions. Rules change with conditions — always confirm with the managing agency before your trip.

Best time to go

Best months: July, August, September, October.

Snow: Usually clear by July; Glacier Point Road is seasonal.

Heat: The south rim is exposed and dry in summer.

Bugs: Minimal on the rim.

Weather forecast

Know before you go

  • Water is scarce on the rim after early summer
  • A long day-and-a-half with real exposure to afternoon storms
  • Bear canisters are required

Sources & citations

Data compiled 2026 from public agency and reference sources. All descriptive text on this page is original; verify current conditions with the managing agency before your trip.

  1. SRTM90 elevation data (sampled). OpenTopoData (SRTM, NASA/USGS-derived open data) via Photon geocoding (OpenStreetMap). https://www.opentopodata.org/. Accessed 2026-09-10. Elevation sampled at geocoded coordinates; location from OpenStreetMap data (ODbL).
  2. Yosemite Valley Trails — Pohono + Four-Mile Trails. Yosemite National Park (National Park Service). https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/yosemite-valley-trails.htm. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). 18.3-mile one-way route with 4,150 ft gain: Pohono Trail from Wawona Tunnel to Glacier Point, then the Four Mile Trail to the Valley.
  3. Wilderness Permits. Yosemite National Park (NPS). https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildpermits.htm. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Permit requirement, quotas, and reservation windows.
  4. Wilderness Regulations. Yosemite National Park (NPS). https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildregs.htm. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Campfire rules and bear canister requirement.