Cathedral Lakes Trails, Yosemite CA

• 4-star hikes
• 7 to 8 mile options
• Moderate | Gain 1,325 to 1,500 ft | Peak 9,600 ft
• Yosemite, CA | Yosemite Region
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A scenic landscape featuring a hiker walking along a trail in a mountainous area. The scene includes a clear blue sky with a few clouds, a lake surrounded by green vegetation, and a forested area with tall trees. In the background, there is a rocky mountain peak.

A scenic landscape featuring a hiker walking along a trail in a mountainous area. The scene includes a clear blue sky with a few clouds, a lake surrounded by green vegetation, and a forested area with tall trees. In the background, there is a rocky mountain peak.

Lower Cathedral Lake and Tresiddier Peak.

Two superb Yosemite lakes await you from the Cathedral Lakes trailhead at the side of Tioga Road, inviting you to swap the throngs of car-bound visitors for relative peace and tranquility of calm waters, pine forest and granite peaks.

The trail climbs gently upward at the outset, gaining a thousand feet in the first mile, but as most of the rest of the hike is either on the level or downhill, you can reassure yourself that this will be the hardest part of your hike. Much of the mileage covered is within sheltered evergreen forest, though with ample opportunities to marvel in the rightly famous Yosemite National Park landscape.

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

⬤ 4★ Cathedral Lakes Trail 6.5 mi out & back, moderate, gain 1,325 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions GPX?

Rest on the open, sloping granite banks of Lower Cathedral Lake looking westerly over a great watery expanse towards Yosemite Valley with deer grazing by the lakes edge. Then re-trace your steps for half a mile to the trail junction and head slightly upward to the Upper Lake which sits in a bowl surrounded on all sides by towering granite including the Cathedral and Tresidder Peaks. Total mileage to visit both lakes is 7.7 miles and 1,500 feet of elevation gain.

You’ll find plenty of parking at the trailhead, and be sure to empty your car of anything that smells like food and store it in the bear-proof lockers provided. Insects can be plentiful around the lakes, so be sure to pack the bug spray as well as the sunscreen. As well as deer, keep your eyes peeled for an occasional timid marmot.

A scenic view of a mountainous landscape with a large, dome-shaped granite rock formation prominently featured in the center-right of the image. The foreground is filled with dense evergreen trees, and the background showcases rugged mountain peaks under a clear blue sky.

A scenic view of a mountainous landscape with a large, dome-shaped granite rock formation prominently featured in the center-right of the image. The foreground is filled with dense evergreen trees, and the background showcases rugged mountain peaks under a clear blue sky.

Lembert Dome from the Cathedral Lakes Trail.

The image shows a picturesque landscape featuring a prominent, jagged mountain peak in the background, surrounded by a dense forest of evergreen trees. In the foreground, there is a lush green meadow with a winding stream reflecting the blue sky and clouds above. The scene is serene and natural, highlighting the beauty of untouched wilderness.

The image shows a picturesque landscape featuring a prominent, jagged mountain peak in the background, surrounded by a dense forest of evergreen trees. In the foreground, there is a lush green meadow with a winding stream reflecting the blue sky and clouds above. The scene is serene and natural, highlighting the beauty of untouched wilderness.

Cathedral Peak towers above the landscape.

Tangents:
• Official: Yosemite National Park
• AllTrails Public: Cathedral Lake
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Us

Trailspotting Nearby
5★ Mount Dana (5 mi) · 5★ Upper Yosemite Falls (7 mi) · 5★ Half Dome (16 mi) · Show Map

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