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PLAN • TRAIN • HIKE

Half Dome Preparation Guide

A complete, year-round guide to train for and hike Half Dome — with local training hikes, Yosemite plans, and nearby adventures from the Tri-Valley and Bay Area.

Start Your Training Plan →Explore Yosemite Hikes
△   Train & Build Fitness▦   Plan Your Hike▤   Gear & Checklist◇   Maps & Directions♠   Tahoe & Utah Trips
YOSEMITE VALLEYInteractive Hiking Map
All Trails & Viewpoints ↗
Illustrated Yosemite Valley overview; not a navigational or geographically precise map
Concept map · not for navigation or route-finding
Illustrated Mission Peak ridgesLocal Training HikesDublin · Mission Peak · Diablo · MarinIllustrated Tahoe alpine mountainsLake Tahoe HikesAlpine trails, granite views, and elevationIllustrated mountain landscapeUtah AdventuresScenic destinations and longer adventuresHiking gear and outdoors illustrationGear & ChecklistEssentials, planning, and safetyHalf Dome YosemiteTrip ResourcesWeather, permits, roads, and park info

The 12 Planned Training Hikes

PROGRESSIVE ELEVATION • ENDURANCE • TRAIL CONFIDENCE

Build hiking fitness from the Tri-Valley through the Bay Area and Tahoe. Choose distances and elevation gains appropriate to your current abilities; confirm exact routes and conditions before hiking.

Scenic landscape illustration for Dublin Hills; representative artwork1Dublin HillsBASEScenic landscape illustration for Pleasanton Ridge; representative artwork2Pleasanton RidgeBASEScenic landscape illustration for Del Valle; representative artwork3Del ValleBASEScenic landscape illustration for Mission Peak; representative artwork4Mission PeakCLIMBScenic landscape illustration for Mount Diablo; representative artwork5Mount DiabloCLIMBScenic landscape illustration for Las Trampas; representative artwork6Las TrampasCLIMBScenic landscape illustration for Mount Tamalpais; representative artwork7Mount TamalpaisENDURANCEScenic landscape illustration for Henry Cowell; representative artwork8Henry CowellENDURANCEScenic landscape illustration for Castle Rock; representative artwork9Castle RockTECHNIQUEScenic landscape illustration for Auburn SRA; representative artwork10Auburn SRAENDURANCEScenic landscape illustration for Tahoe Rim Trail; representative artwork11Tahoe Rim TrailALTITUDEScenic landscape illustration for Mount Tallac; representative artwork12Mount TallacSUMMIT

Landscape illustrations are representative and may not depict the exact trail. Use official trail maps for navigation.

THE TRAINING JOURNEY

Your Six-Month Half Dome Plan

A progressive hiking plan for endurance, climbing strength, and safe preparation. Adapt the schedule to your fitness and current trail conditions.

01

Build the Base

Weeks 1–4 · Consistent walks and gentle hills

02

Increase Endurance

Weeks 5–8 · Longer distances and elevation

03

Build Strength

Weeks 9–12 · Hills, stairs, and pack hikes

04

Hike Longer

Weeks 13–16 · Longer climbs and descents

05

Simulate the Climb

Weeks 17–20 · Challenging full-day hikes

06

Taper & Prepare

Weeks 21–24 · Recovery, permits, gear

BEYOND YOSEMITE

Tahoe & Utah Adventures

Plan an alpine training getaway with beautiful mountain views. Consider altitude, seasonal access, and the difficulty of each hike.

PARK PLANNING

Essential Yosemite Resources

Half Dome permits ↗Current park conditions ↗Road status ↗Weather forecasts ↗Official park maps ↗Entrances and driving ↗