Panorama Trail
7,214 ft | California
8.5 mi one way
1,255 ft
3.5 hr
Hard
Panorama Trail Hike at a Glance
The Panorama Trail hike via the Panorama Trail (Glacier Point to Valley) is 8.5 mi one way with 1,255 ft of elevation gain, about 3.5 hr of hiking.
| Summit elevation | 7,214 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | Panorama Trail (Glacier Point to Valley) |
| Distance | 8.5 mi one way |
| Elevation gain | 1,255 ft |
| Hiking time | About 3.5 hr |
| Difficulty | Hard |
| Route last checked | October 25, 2026 |
Your time: about 3 h 30 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 4 h 20 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 1,960 kcal.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 8.5 mi distance and 1,255 ft of gain for this hike are verified (yosemitehikes.com), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Panorama Trail
At 7,214 feet, Panorama Trail is a summit in California. The Panorama Trail (Glacier Point to Valley) covers 8.5 miles with about 200 feet of elevation gain — a gradual walk with modest climbing.
The Route
Along the way the route passes a viewpoint (Glacier Point) near mile 0.02, a viewpoint (Sierra Point) near mile 1.04, a boulder (Lady Franklin Rock) near mile 1.48, a waterfall (Vernal Fall) near mile 1.67 — useful checkpoints for judging your pace.
Getting There
It's roughly 125 miles south of Reno, Nevada. Parking: Glacier Point. Fee: $35 park entrance. Cell service is often unreliable once you leave the highway.
When to Go
Late May through October is the main season. Snow and ice linger into spring and return early in fall at this latitude and elevation; in winter this becomes a different, more serious undertaking requiring traction devices and warm layers.
Know Before You Go
The Hard rating comes from the National Park Service difficulty formula, which weighs total distance against elevation gain. Most hikers should budget about 3.5 hours of moving time; add margin for breaks, photos and the descent. Download the GPX track from this page before you go — a saved route works offline in any GPS app, and cell coverage is unreliable in the mountains. Conditions change: verify current access, closures and weather with the official land manager before you go. Trail data is sourced from National Park Service - Yosemite.
Nearby summits with their own guides on this site: Sentinel Dome & Taft Point (1 mi away), Mirror Lake (1.5 mi away) and Vernal Fall (1.6 mi away).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to hike Panorama Trail?
The Panorama Trail (Glacier Point to Valley) is 8.5 miles with about 200 feet of elevation gain, and most hikers take roughly 5 hours of moving time. Add time for breaks and conditions — winter or wet weather can double the trip.
How hard is the Panorama Trail hike?
It's rated Moderate using the National Park Service difficulty formula (8.5 miles, 200 ft of gain — almost no climbing).
Are dogs allowed on the Panorama Trail trail?
Rules vary by land manager — national parks often prohibit dogs on trails, while most national forests allow them on leash. Check with the managing agency for this trail before bringing your dog, and pack out waste.
When is the best time to hike Panorama Trail?
Late May through October for snow-free hiking. Check a summit point forecast before you go — conditions up high differ from the trailhead.
How tall is Panorama Trail?
Panorama Trail stands at 7,214 feet (2,199 meters) in California.
Best Time to Visit
spring
March - May
Muddy trails, snow at higher elevations, stream crossings high
summer
June - August
Best hiking conditions, afternoon thunderstorms possible
fall
September - November
Peak foliage mid-September to mid-October, cooler temperatures
winter
December - February
Severe alpine conditions, high winds, extreme cold
Fall Gear Checklist
- Layers
- Headlamp
- Warm hat/gloves
- Rain gear
Tip: Parking lots fill early during foliage season. Arrive before 7am on weekends.
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Rapidly changing weather
- Ice possible on summit
- Wet leaves on trails
Turn-Around Time
1:00 PM (2:00 PM summer)
Plan to reach the summit by this time to allow safe descent before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Summit 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 Panorama Trail Guide
Route last checked October 25, 2026.
- Verified against
- yosemitehikes.com
- Distance
- yosemitehikes.com
- Elevation
- USGS Topo - Yosemite
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.
Nearby Peaks
Explore other mountains near Panorama Trail. Great for peak-bagging or planning your next adventure.
Sentinel Dome & Taft Point
8,122 ft
Mirror Lake
4,100 ft
Vernal Fall
5,900 ft
Lower Yosemite Fall
3,975 ft
Peak Bagging Tip
Sentinel Dome & Taft Point is only 1 miles away. Consider combining these peaks for a bigger day or overnight trip!
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