Hiking the Panorama Trail in Yosemite National Park
Table of Contents
Not to be confused with the fishier, carnivorous, and probably made up Piranha Trail, the Panorama Trail is a fun and scenic day hike located in Yosemite National Park.
Hiking the Panorama Trail is kind of like flying a magic carpet over Yosemite Valley. You’re high up, moving quickly, and your journey may soon be the subject of a Disney Animated Feature Film. Unlike a magic carpet ride, you’re probably not going to have a genie along for the ride. And there might not be much singing. No matter. The Panorama Trail is a great way to get stellar views of Yosemite Valley.
The Panorama Trail forms a horseshoe shaped arc as it traverses along the southeastern rim of the Valley. Half Dome, Royal Arches, a lot of waterfalls, ant sized tourists- all feature prominently along the Panorama. It’s a gentle hike, albeit with a few switchbacks to remind you that it means business. In all, the Panorama trail is suitable for most hikers. New hikers will love it for it’s length, and its quasi-backcountry vibe, while experienced hikers may see it as an awesome linkup with nearby trails, such as the Four Mile Trail, or the Mist Trail.
Stats, Figures, Etc.
Distance: 5 miles.
Trailheads: Glacier Point, or Nevada Falls.
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous, in the loosest sense.
Time to Hike: 3-4 Hours.
Elevation Change: Gain nearly 2000 feet if hiking from Nevada Falls to Glacier Point. Lose 2000 if opting to Trek the opposite direction.
Views?: Yes, all of them.
Wildlife?: An abundance thereof.
Panorama Trail Map
The Panorama Trail-From Nevada Falls to Glacier Point
On July 7th, 2019, I hiked the Panorama Trail from end to end. This path is five miles in length, packing in the beauty every step of the way. Starting from the top of Nevada Falls, the Panorama trail travels uphill, steadily gaining elevation. A million great photo opportunities exist along the Panorama, along with cool viewpoints and rest spots just off the path.
The trail dips down to Illilouette Creek, crossing a bridge just upstream of Illilouette Falls. Hanging out at the creek will be a welcome reprieve on a hot day, but be very aware that the waters immediately above waterfalls are incredibly dangerous. Waterfalls regularly kill tourists. Never swim or wade above a waterfall. Otherwise, YOSAR may end up having to scrape you off the rocks below.
Anyways, you may remember Illilouette Falls from earlier-a frontal view view features near the beginning of the Mist Trail. Immediately, the trail starts heading uphill towards Glacier Point. This portion of the Panorama Trail was burned up in a forest fire. All that persists now are great blankets of chest high Manzanita slowly reclaiming the land. The forest here is regrowing, but for now the treeless mountain side allows you unobstructed views of Half Dome, Little Yosemite Valley, the Tuolumne Backcountry, and numerous High Sierra peaks.
For much of Panorama’s path, Glacier Point’s prominence sits high in the distance. It sticks out above the valley, encouraging hikers to keep on moving, like a carrot on a stick. The last stretch feels like the longest section, but it has the best views along the whole trail. It seems that the final tail of any journey always seems to drag on the longest, whether that is a hike, a long drive, or the final thirty minutes of The Return of the King.
No matter which way you hike the panorama, your perspective shifts. From Macro to Micro, or visa versa, this trail will show you famous landmarks at incredible angles.
At Glacier Point, you get a look at the whole rocky enchilada. Hikers that venture down to the Mist Trail will then find themselves surrounded on all sides by the giant domes and waterfalls featured at the beginning of the trail. It’s like zooming in and out of a Jpeg image on your computer. The main difference being that the Panorama Trail won’t get all pixely on you. You’ll probably just walk into a sheer granite wall if you zoom in too much.
Panorama Point-A Particularly Picturesque Precipice
The best part of the Panorama is a cliff located at roughly it’s halfway mark. A small side trail leads through a Manzanita garden to the very rim of the Valley. This is Panorama Point, where the views rival that of any other in Yosemite National Park.
Unlike Taft or Glacier Points, Panorama Point doesn’t have a protective railing. There are no crowds. For the whole 45 minutes I sat here admiring the view, I was alone. No other hiker came by. Panorama Point is a great perch on which hikers can find some solitude.
You might miss the turn off to Panorama. Most do. It’s a humble side trail, a tangent through unassuming vegetation. If coming from the Mist Trail, Panorama point will be located just before the path descends to Illilouette Creek. If you are travelling from Glacier Point, this spot will be located just after the switchbacks leading out of the river canyon.
Black Bears, Bucks and Baby Birds
The views along the Panorama Trail are great, both of the vistas, and wildlife. I’ve never had so many wildlife encounters in Yosemite as I have along the Panorama. All in the last mile alone, I had close encounters with three flavors of the local Fauna.
First, the Greater Sage Grouse. This is a humble bird, despite its common name. A hen was clucking along the trail, three chicks in tow. I tried my best to let her brood pass, but I needed to continue my hike. “Doot, Doot”, goes the Greater Sage Grouse.
Not much farther, I spotted a Yosemite Icon. Downhill of me, 100 feet off the trail, I spotted a Black Bear, complete with her cub. As bears do, they were spotted digging around In the Manzanita, probably for roots and berries, but possibly for buried treasure.
Mama bear took one look at me, decided I wasn’t that nutritious looking, and kept on digging. If you see a bear, don’t approach it. If you see a bear with a cub, keep on hiking.
A lot of Mommas out on the Panorama.
I was pretty happy to have spotted a Bear and Cub combo. It wasn’t a few minutes before I spotted a young buck, grazing on the Manzanita. His antlers were just budding, and it would not let me pass. It was giving me the stare down. I had to puff up my chest, hoping that it wouldn’t alert all the other deer to come and gore me. It scampered off, probably to go try and intimidate some other, weaker hiker. That’s right. I’m at the top of the food chain, pal.
Glacier Point-Your Prize
Should you decide to conclude your hike at Glacier Point, your efforts do no go unrewarded. Laid out before you is the whole of Yosemite Valley. Here is one of the most sought after vistas around.
The Panorama Trail is best served with hiking partners. The terrain is very forgiving, and numerous rest spots along are great for conversations, or taking group selfies.
When it comes to hiking, I fancy myself as something of a lone wolf. The Panorama Trail, probably owing to its (relative) remoteness, is ideal for introverts. I had a lovely time snapping photos, eating snacks, and listening to podcasts, all by myself. Ah, beautiful isolation.
That said, the Panorama Trail might as well be renamed The Lovers Trail. Just about every other group I encountered was a couple. Romance is in the air on the Panorama trail. Hike with your honey, and don’t forget to pack along the boxed wine. Death defying romantic picnic spots dangle above overlooks and cliff sides.
Accessing the Accessible
The Panorama Trail does not start at the valley floor. Instead, hikers must choose to begin their trek at either of its trailheads-the end of the Mist Trail, or at Glacier Point. This hike starts high up, and stays high up. As a result, getting to this trail may be a hurdle for some. Fortunately, multiple access options allow for varying degrees of difficulty and challenge.
From Glacier Point
Judging by the few hikers I encountered going the same direction as I, starting the Panorama Trail from Glacier Point is the most popular option. Hiking from Glacier to the Mist Trail is the easiest variation of the trail. Since Glacier point represents the Panorama’s zenith, it is (mostly) downhill from there.
Most visitors get to Glacier Point by driving to it. From the Valley, the drive to Glacier Point is about an hour or so, depending on Traffic and road conditions. The parking lot at Glacier point fills up fast, especially near sunset. Plan accordingly.
If opting to drive, the challenge is then to get back to your car, currently parked high up above the Yosemite valley floor. Retrieving your vehicle can either be easy, or challenging. It’s your choice. Take the Four Mile Trail, if you wish to get in more of a workout. You can take the Valley Shuttle, starting at the Yosemite Valley Lodge.The GP shuttle provides an open air, ranger led tour all the way to the top of Glacier Point. Round trip options are available, but hikers will want to purchase a one way ticket.
The Shuttle Rates are as follows. Keep in mind that they seem to rise every year:
Adults: $52 round trip, or $26 one way.
Kids Aged 5-12: $33 round trip, or $17 one way
Kids under 5: Free
Tickets can be secured at the Yosemite Valley Lodge front desk. Be sure to arrive 15 minutes early. Tours do fill up in the peak summer months.
Taking a ride on the Glacier Point Shuttle is like riding in an open air limo full of all your closest friends. You might as well try and get sociable on the ride up to Glacier Point- you’ll be on it for about 4 hours. It departs at 8:30am, and 1:30pm every day, for as long as the road is open.
Alternatively, you can arrange a ride with another driver. Perhaps a friend, family member, or the type of driver willing to pick up hitchhikers can give you a ride. Pay them in gas money, or perhaps the adult beverage of their choosing.
Via the Mist Trail
Though most hikers like to start the Panorama at Glacier Point, the Ego-Driven Masochistic hiker that I am took the most difficult option. I started up the Mist Trail, climbing it’s figurative billions of stairs up through its literal mist. Stair stepping my way to the top of Vernal and Nevada Falls, I began my hike at the northern terminus of the Panorama Trail.
The Panorama Trail starts just a bit south and east of Nevada Falls proper. Hikers must walk along the John Muir Trail for a short bit to reach the start of the Panorama. I highly recommend taking a small detour, and going down the JMT to a great overlook of Nevada Falls, Liberty Cap, and Half Dome. Beware: there is a small chance that this detour may inspire you to spend three weeks thru hiking the John Muir Trail.
Starting from Nevada Falls is the more challenging option, if only on paper. Hikers start low, and end up high at Glacier Point. However, in practice you gain and lose a lot of elevation as you trend uphill. I surmise that the hike is going to feel similar in difficulty no matter which trail head you opt to start from. But don’t worry, because it’s going to be just as pretty.
Need Gear?
The Panorama Trail is my favorite trail in Yosemite Valley. No where else do you get such a stellar combo of beautiful views, and wildlife sightings. But you know what would go great with any Panorama Trail hike? Having the right gear for the job!
After hiking in the park for literal days of my life, I’ve nailed the gear essential to making my Yosemite experience the best that it can. To see recommendations for the best gear, check out our list of the most Essential Day Hiking Gear. With everything from sun protection, to rain jackets, we’ll show you the best hiking gear for your Yosemite vacation.
- The Best Campsites Around Big Bear California - February 26, 2021
- Hiking to the Hollywood Sign Via the Brush Canyon Trail - July 13, 2020
- Dirt Cheap Hiking and Backpacking Gear: The Most Affordable Gear on the Internet - July 4, 2020