Chilnualna Falls Hike
Waterfall | California
8.2 mi round trip
2,400 ft
Strenuous
Chilnualna Falls Hike at a Glance
The Chilnualna Falls hike is 8.2 mi round trip with 2,400 ft of elevation gain.
| Elevation at the falls | ≈ 6,040 ft |
|---|---|
| Distance | 8.2 mi round trip |
| Elevation gain | 2,400 ft |
| Difficulty | Strenuous |
Your time: about 3 h 55 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 4 h 55 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 2,230 kcal.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 8.2 mi distance and 2,400 ft of gain for this hike are verified (home.nps.gov), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Chilnualna Falls
Chilnualna Falls is a waterfall in California, on land managed by Yosemite National Park.
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the Chilnualna Falls Trail: 8.2 miles round trip with about 2,400 feet of elevation gain, from Chilnualna Falls Trailhead. Allow 5–7 hours. Distance from home.nps.gov. By the National Park Service difficulty formula (distance against climb) that puts it at Strenuous.
Before You Go
- There is no drinking water available on the trails. (home.nps.gov)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check Yosemite National Park for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Chilnualna Falls?
The Chilnualna Falls Trail to Chilnualna Falls is 8.2 miles round trip with about 2,400 feet of elevation gain. Allow 5–7 hours.
Where does the Chilnualna Falls hike start?
It starts from Chilnualna Falls Trailhead.
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Slippery wet rock near the falls
- Fast, high water after rain or snowmelt
- Check weather before departure
Turn-Around Time
1:00 PM (2:00 PM summer)
Plan to reach the falls by this time so you are back before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Point Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.
Downloads
Sources for The Chilnualna Falls Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- home.nps.gov
- Distance
- home.nps.gov
- Falls location
- en.wikipedia.org
- Elevation
- ≈ Copernicus GLO-90 elevation model at the falls coordinates (via Open-Meteo)
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.
Nearby Hikes
Other hikes within 30 miles of Chilnualna Falls.