How To Hike Half Dome
Easy directions for hiking Half Dome, including permit tips, gear advice, and how to tackle the cables with confidence.
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This is your complete guide to hiking Half Dome, one of the most iconic and challenging hikes in Yosemite National Park. In the video, I take you through everything you need to know—starting with how to secure a permit (preseason lottery, daily lottery, wilderness add-ons, and more). You can’t just show up and hike Half Dome when the cables are up, so planning ahead is critical. I break down how both the lottery systems work and give tips on increasing your chances of getting a permit.
Next, I cover essential gear. I don’t go through a full packing list in the video, but I hit the must-haves: grippy hiking shoes, gloves for the cables, and the option of using a climbing harness for added safety. I also explain why you need to carry everything up with you, including trekking poles and snacks, due to the opportunistic squirrels at the base of the cables. For a complete gear breakdown, including water, food, and satellite comms, check out the companion article on HikingGuy.com.
To help you mentally manage the hike, I divide the trail into manageable sections: Mist Trail, Little Yosemite Valley, the climb, Subdome, and the Cables. Each segment has its own terrain and challenge, and I show turn-by-turn trail directions to help you visualize it all. I also walk through an alternate return route via the John Muir Trail to save your knees after the summit push.
Finally, I give you a realistic look at the cables—how steep they are, how to go up or down them, and how to know when to turn back. It’s tough but doable with some preparation and common sense. For training tips, route GPX files, summit maps, and everything else you need, head to the full write-up on HikingGuy.com.
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