How hard is it to get a permit?

Extraordinarily difficult. The preseason lottery occurs in March and has a success rate of about 20%. There is a daily lottery two days in advance during the season, but it is equally competitive.

Do permit rules stay constant year-round?

Not always. Permit and guide requirements can change by season and region. Verify the latest rules with the official park office or local authority before departure.

What is the safest start-time strategy?

Start early and plan to clear exposed sections before midday. This reduces heat, storm, and visibility risk on most mountain routes.

How much water capacity is usually needed?

For exposed hiking days, carrying 2-3 liters is common. Increase capacity when refill reliability is low or temperatures are high.

Is mobile signal reliable on route?

Coverage is often patchy outside towns and major valleys. Treat phones as secondary tools and carry offline navigation resources.

HikeMetrics

Global Hiking Index

HikeMetrics.com

HalfDome

DATA_INDEXED_2026

Distance

26KM

Gain

1.5kM

Duration

1d

Strain

LVL 5

AI Insight: Extreme vertical movement detected (>1,000m/day). Stiff climbs and high cardiovascular demand expected.

Half Dome is the significant icon of Yosemite National Park and arguably the most famous and coveted day hike in North America. Looming almost 5,000 feet (1,500m) above Yosemite Valley, the massive granite dome challenges hikers with a grueling, massive elevation gain. The classic route ascends via the dramatic Mist Trail, passing two massive waterfalls, ascending through dense pine forests to Little Yosemite Valley, and finally climbing the stark, exposed rock of Sub Dome. The grand finale is the legendary 'Cables' section—two metal cables suspended by steel poles drilled into the sheer, 45-degree granite face. Hikers should use their upper body strength to pull themselves up the final 400 feet of slick granite to a flat summary that offers scenic views of the entire Yosemite Valley and the High Sierra.

Mission Directive / X-Factor

“The Cables. The 'X-Factor' is the raw physical and psychological exertion of the final cable ascent. The granite is polished smooth by millions of boots. Hanging onto the steel cables, looking back over your shoulder down a demandingly steep slide straight into the valley, is a right of passage that separates standard hikers from those who have 'done the Dome.'”

Hazard Assessment

lightning strikesPRIORITY 1

Half Dome is a giant lightning rod. Several people have been killed by lightning while on the summit or the cables.

MITIGATION: NEVER attempt the ascent if thunderstorm clouds are visible.

serious falls on cablesPRIORITY 1

The granite is slick. If you fall outside the cables, there is nothing to stop you.

MITIGATION: Wear grippy gloves. Do not ascend if it is raining. Many climbers legally (but cautiously) use a climbing harness and via ferrata lanyard to clip into the cables.

Critical Loadout

Heavy-duty gloves (rubberized or work gloves are essential; the steel cables will destroy bare hands)

Exceptional hiking boots/approach shoes with sticky rubber (Vibram)

Massive water capacity (4-5 liters)

Flashlight/Headlamp (as you will likely start or finish in the dark)

Target Base Weight

< 10 KGEXCL. CONSUMABLES

Water Logistics

SOURCE AVAILABILITYHIGH / FREQUENT

FILTRATION PROTOCOLMANDATORY (<2000M)

HIKING
PATHWAY

California (Yosemite National Park) // hiking

Start

The Valley Floor to Nevada Fall

Starting at Happy Isles (usually at 4:30 AM in the dark), hiking up the paved path, and ascending the wet, steep granite stairs of the Mist Trail alongside Vernal and Nevada Falls.

Phase 1

Little Yosemite to Sub Dome

Hiking through the relatively flat, sandy forest of Little Yosemite Valley, before beginning the grueling, exposed zig-zags up the granite shoulder to the base of Sub Dome.

Finish

The Cables and Descent

Showing your permit to the ranger. Scrambling up Sub Dome, pulling yourself up the 400ft cables to the summit, and then making the agonizing 8-mile hike back down to the valley.

Topographical Ref / Area CALIFAUTO-GEN SYNC: 37.746N -119.5332E

Mission Log: Stage-by-Stage Technical MetricsREF: HALF-DOME // DAT_TAB_01

Step	Sector / Waypoint	Dist.	Gain (↑m)	Duration	Assessment
1	The Valley Floor to Nevada Fall Starting at Happy Isles (usually at 4:30...	3 hours	---	3 hours	Standard Segment
2	Little Yosemite to Sub Dome Hiking through the relatively flat, sand...	3 hours	---	3 hours	Standard Segment
3	The Cables and Descent Showing your permit to the ranger. Scram...	4-6 hours	---	4-6 hours	Standard Segment

Technical Specifications

DOC_REF: GOLDEN_HIKING_US_009

01 / LOG

Refuge Capacity

Curry Village (tent cabins) in the valley is the closest launching point. Wilderness permits allow breaking the trip into two days by camping at Little Yosemite Valley.

02 / REG

Regulatory

Permit REQUIRED
Authority NPS (Recreation.gov)

Rangers check permits strictly at the base of Sub Dome. You cannot sneak up.

03 / CLI

Climatology

OptimalJun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

The cables are only hoisted from roughly Memorial Day (late May) to Columbus Day (October), depending heavily on snowpack. Hiking when cables 'down' is extremely dangerous and requires technical rock climbing gear. Regulations change; verify with the official park or local authority before departure.

04 / COM

Emergency / Comms

Rescue (EU) 112 ACTIVE
Signal Partial

SAT-LINK STABLE

Compare With Other Hikes

Side-by-side metric analysis. Compare Half Dome directly against similar routes ÔÇö distance, elevation gain, HikeMetrics Hazard Score, and more.

Browse All Routes

HM-COMPARE_01

Piuquenes Pass (Andes Crossing)

mendoza // 110km (Point-to-point)

“The logistics of this crossing define the experience as much as the terrain. Moving across the conti...”

Head-to-Head Full Report

HM-COMPARE_02

Huemul Circuit

patagonia // 65km

“The Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Reaching the crest of Paso del Viento provides a rare, wide-angle...”