Yosemite National Park Wawona Hiking

Note: The Mariposa Grove Road is open from April through November. Wawona is accessible by car all year.

Wawona Meadow Loop

Difficulty: Easy 1 to 2 hours

Roundtrip: 3.5 mi / 5.6 km No

Start: Golf course across the street from the Wawona Hotel. Walk up the paved road through the golf course and take the first left.

This is a pleasant, shady stroll on a fire road around the Wawona Meadow.

Swinging Bridge Loop

Difficulty: Moderate 2 hours

Roundtrip: 5 mi / 8 km No

Start: Pioneer Yosemite History Center or Wawona Store.

The paved road, Forest Drive, leads 2 mi (3.2 km) upstream from the history center to the end of the paved road. Continue on the dirt road for a short distance until you get to the swinging bridge (which really does swing). Cross the bridge and bear left onto the dirt road, which soon becomes paved Chilnualna Falls Road. When you reach the Wawona Stable, walk into it towards the Covered Bridge, where you started this hike.

Chilnualna Fall

Difficulty: Strenuous 5 to 6 hours

Roundtrip: 8.2 mi / 13.1 km No

Start: Chilnualna Fall trailhead parking area, 2 mi (3.2 km) up the Chilnualna Falls Road.

This pleasant hike takes you near past cascades of Chilnualna Fall and all the way to the top of the fall.

Alder Creek

Difficulty: Strenuous 6 hours

Roundtrip: 12 mi / 18.7 km No

Start: Alder Creek trailhead parking area, 0.4 mi (.6 km) up Chilnualna Falls Road.

The trail climbs northward through an open pine forest with abundant manzanita on the drier slopes.

Wawona to Mariposa Grove

Difficulty: Moderate 3 hours

Roundtrip: 6 mi / 9.6 km No

Start: About 50 yards uphill of the Moore Cottage at the Wawona Hotel (look for the Two Hour Ride Trail sign).

This generally viewless hike gets you to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. From late April through September, you can take the free shuttle bus from the grove back to Wawona.

Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias

Difficulty: Moderate 1 hour to Grizzly Giant

Roundtrip: 1.6 mi / 2.5 km No Moderate 3 to 4 hours

Roundtrip: 6 mi / 9.6 km No

Start: Mariposa Grove parking area. (From May through September, it is highly recommended that you take the free shuttle bus.)

Various trails exist throughout the grove. To reach the Grizzly Giant and California Tunnel Tree, follow the trail that begins at the far end of the parking area. To reach Wawona Point, continue on the trail past the Grizzly Giant into the upper grove. The old road ascends to Wawona Point from near the Galen Clark Tree.