Yosemite Valley Waterfalls:

Bridalveil Falls (620 feet) Found in the central wall of the valley. A half-mile access trail leads to the base and the sprays of the fall.

Yosemite Falls (2,400 feet) The Upper Falls plunge over 1,300 feet releasing huge amounts of spray before cascading to the Lower Falls, where a final 320-foot drop brings the flow to the valley floor. A short trail leads to the base of the falls.

Ribbon Fall (1,600 feet) Located to the left of El Capitan this seasonal fall drops in a spectacular uninterrupted plunge to the valley floor.

Sentinel Falls (2,000 feet) Yosemite Valley's tallest single waterfall is one of the more difficult ones to see. You can spot it from near the base of El Capitan by looking across the valley.

Yosemite Valley Views:

Mirror Lake is a shallow collection of ponds that offers great paddling and a number of beautiful reflections.

Glacier Point offers magnificent birds-eye views of all the major features in Yosemite Valley. Geology Point is also nearby.

Yosemite Valley's Big Rocks:
Half Dome (4,800 feet from valley floor) This 10-hour hike to the top of the Half Dome offers inspiring sights of Yosemite. The hike offers many great opportunities for photos of Half Dome without hiking all the way to the top.

El Capitan (3,600 feet from valley floor) The single largest piece of exposed granite in the park has a vertical drop exceeding 3,600 feet. Climbers make multi-day ascents, camping out on the rock face. You'll need binoculars to spot them by day but their torches give them away at night.

Hikes from Yosemite Valley:

Yosemite Falls (7.2 miles round-trip) This trail climbs 2,700 feet from the valley floor to impressive views. Along the way, Columbia Point offers a panoramic view, although not of the valley. Cooling sprays refreshes hikers along the way, before a final half-mile of relentless switchbacks to the top of the Upper Fall.

Half Dome (16.4 miles round-trip) The Half Dome hike offers breathtaking views and a globally known challenge for rock climbers.

Glacier Point (9.6 miles round-trip) This trail climbs up to 3,200 feet, offering great views of the valley capped by an unbeatable panoramic picture from the summit. This trail can be hiked one-way by catching the bus to or from Glacier Point. A long but rewarding loop can be made by taking the Panorama Trail (9 miles one-way) from Glacier Point back to the Valley via Nevada Fall and the John Muir or Mist Trails.

The Mist Trail (6.8 miles round-trip) The Mist Trail is one of Yosemite's most exhilarating day hikes. The route enters Little Yosemite Valley and travels along valley sides often in the path of spray from Vernal Falls. At Vernal Falls, hikers can take in a breat-htaking view of the plunging waters. An easy return can be made along the John Muir Trail.

South of Yosemite Valley:

Panorama Trail (9 miles) This hike traces a route to the valley that takes in fabulous views and a changing perspective of the famous sights. Hikers can take a shuttle bus to Glacier Point and do the trek downhill.

Sentinel Dome (2.25 miles) For an impressive 180-degree panorama of Yosemite Valley, this trail is the one to take. The trail is mostly forested with a climb up the dome in the final section. The trailhead is visible from Glacier Point Road.

Chilnualna Falls (8 miles) One of the tallest waterfalls to be found outside Yosemite Valley, this attractive fall actually has two chutes, one flowing after another. The lower one is the most impressive.

Hikes from Tuolumne Meadows:

North Dome Trail (10 miles round-trip) A fairly easy trail, with some sections on loose gravel. The North Dome trail offers views to rival any in the park. The trail follows an abandoned road from Porcupine Flat Campground sharing the backpacking route to Yosemite Falls. From the fork to North Dome, a moderate climb takes you to North Dome and fabulous views of Yosemite Valley.