18 of the Best Hikes in Sequoia National Park

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Enjoying the best hike in Sequoia National Park is the surefire way to get the most out of your Sequoia itinerary. You’re going to be able to enjoy much more than just the tall sequoias. There’s also incredible Sierra views, stunning sunsets, and beautiful waterfalls.

However, I find that when people look for hikes in Sequoia National Park, they often don’t see more than a few popular trails that are recommended by almost every traveler. So I want to make sure you are introduced to the whole of Sequoia National Park with 18 trails that will take you far beyond the Giant Forest, into the rest of this beautiful national park.

1. Big Trees Trail

There are a number of trails here that will introduce you to the giant sequoias, and the Big Trees Trail is one of them. This mostly paved trail is very accessible for all visitors, and is a short walk from the Giant Forest Museum, which is a main hub for the things to do in the area.

The trail does a great job of bringing you around and up close to many of the trees, with some of them being named, and all of them so massive. It’s here that you really get to see what a sequoia tree is and the environment they live in.

You’ll be circling a meadow area, and can enjoy small streams flowing beside the trail. In a few places the trail is a boardwalk and the trees stand nearby between rocky boulders and giant fallen logs. 

All in all, you don’t travel far from where you began, but the experience feels like you’ve entered another world into the Giant Forest.

Length: 0.75 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 30 minutes
Map: AllTrails

2. Beetle Rock Trail

Beetle Rock is where I first got to experience that Sequoia National Park is not just about the trees. On the drive into the park I had enjoyed some epic mountain views, and once I arrived, this one just off the main parking lot showed off the valley. 

This is a short 0.3 mile walk over to a viewpoint that faces west (great for sunset!). Take a rest here, enjoy the views as far as you can see – sometimes this area is obscured by air pollution. But the trees and the mountains are pretty incredible regardless. 

On our walk we enjoyed looking for salamanders which were sunning themselves on some of the larger rocks along the trail.

Length: 0.3 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 10 minutes
Map: AllTrails

3. Sunset Rock Trail

Another “rock” trail – you’ll find there are quite a few of these hikes that take advantage of the rocky balds in Sequoia National Park. The Sunset Rock Trail was actually one of my favorite trails in Sequoia for the sake of the trail itself.

It starts just off the Big Trees Trail – in fact, we hiked from one trail straight onto the other. And then following the yellow trail markers, we walked over bridges, through pine needles, and wound our way back a ways to Sunset Rock. 

The view from Sunset Rock was amazing. I enjoyed looking down at the road that was visible below. There’s a fair amount of burned trees from a wildfire that came here in 2021. The landscape here is incredible, with so much to look at. And Sunset Rock is huge! There’s plenty of space to spread out and enjoy what can be a really quiet trail.

Length: 1.4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour
Map: AllTrails

4. Crescent Meadow

I had heard a lot about Crescent Meadow before my trip to Sequoia National Park, because it is known for being described by John Muir as a “gem of the Sierras”. This makes it a popular spot for visitors to come witness the beauty.

And I do think it’s worth it to come hike in this area of the park. It’s a little further away from the main area of the Giant Forest, with plenty of trails criss crossing around. Just don’t walk in the meadow! That area is preserved to keep the ecosystem healthy.

We found it a little hard to find exactly which trail is the “Crescent Meadow Trail” but we opted for walking the trail that surrounded the meadow. It was beautiful, with plenty of large trees, some hollow and burned out, and overall a really cool place to explore.

We even saw a small wedding party getting some photos taken, so you know its a beautiful spot when that happens.

Length: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour
Map: AllTrails

5. Moro Rock

If there’s one trail that I would say everyone should try if they’re able, it’s Moro Rock. We had the chance to hike Moro Rock at sunset and it was our favorite memory from Sequoia National Park, and perhaps even our entire California road trip.

The Moro Rock Trail is also a pretty difficult climb. It’s pretty much just straight stairsteps up the side of a rock until you get to the top to enjoy the beautiful views. But it’s worth it. From the top you can see 360° around at all the mountains. 

It’s truly incredible, and we spent over an hour at the top taking in the sunset and the amazing views. I could talk about this trail and share pictures for hours, but you’ll just have to experience it yourself.

Length: 0.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 1 hour
Map: AllTrails

6. General Sherman Tree Trail

If you want to see the biggest tree in Sequoia National Park – and the WORLD, then you’ll have to take the General Sherman Tree Trail. The trail is downhill into the forest, which means the hike back is uphill. It definitely takes some effort. 

If you’re not able to make the hike, there is an accessible trailhead just beside the tree viewing area, which during shuttle season you can be dropped off here. But the full 1 mile trail is very enjoyable, as you descend down towards where the biggest trees are found.

Believe it or not, General Sherman is not the tallest or the fattest tree in the world, but is the largest tree by volume. I enjoyed the various signs that give information about the General Sherman Tree and the giant forest along the trail.

You can get your photo taken with the tree, but there may be a line. It’s a big tree surrounded by a lot of other big trees!

Length: 1 mile
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 30 minutes
Map: AllTrails

7. Congress Trail

Continue past the General Sherman Tree and soon you’ll find the Congress Trail. It’s a great plan to combine these two trails together. However because it’s a popular area, parking can get busy.

The Congress Trail was definitely our favorite hike in Sequoia that showed off the huge sequoia trees. It’s a full 2.7 miles, so plenty of time to see a lot of the forest. The hike goes past lots of unique and amazing features, but the reason it’s called the Congress Trail is because it has two big groves nicknamed the House and the Senate.

These two groves are just crazy to stand among. The trees are huge and you can’t help but see yourself as so small beneath them. Wander amongst them, see all the amazing spots, and be sure to observe the bark of these trees up close – it’s really actually quite soft!

The trees and the fallen logs on the Congress Trail just blew us away and this is definitely one of the best hikes in Sequoia National Park.

Length: 2.7 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1.5 hours
Map: AllTrails

8. Tokopah Falls

Tokopah Falls is the largest waterfall in Sequoia National Park. This is a great hike to get out and explore something different in Sequoia, because yes, there are waterfall hikes in Sequoia National Park.

It is a bit of a longer hike, at four miles total, but still doable in a couple of hours. The trail takes you through more of Sequoias landscapes, on a dirt path, in and out of shaded areas. However these forests are not sequoia trees.

Tokopah Falls Trail does include some rocky areas, but the rocks are the beauty because the waterfall that cascades over them at the end of the trail is the reason you came. You can keep your eyes out for wildlife along the trail, and at one of the streams or pools, stick your feet in for a cool dip!

Length: 3.4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 2-3 hours
Map: AllTrails

9. Little Baldy

Want to climb a mountain? The Little Baldy Trail in Sequoia National Park is a moderate hike that will take you up to the top of a mountain. The trail begins along Generals Highway in the midst of Sequoia and then ascends up a number of switchbacks that run along the side of the climb.

Put in a little effort, and you’ll be rewarded on this hike. The overall hike isn’t too long, at 3.4 miles round trip, and the rocky trail views on the way up are beautiful. It can be a very serene hike and is a great way to see more of Sequoia. 

Sometimes marmots are seen along the trail, and the gem at the end of the trail is the views!

Length: 3.4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 2-3 hours
Map: AllTrails

10. Bear Hill

The Bear Hill Trail is a very easy going trail that loops around some of the main areas between the Giant Forest Museum and Crescent Loop Road, where Moro Rock and several other Sequoia landmarks are found.

It’s not one of the more traveled trails, but shouldn’t be overlooked, as it’s a great way to connect these areas of Sequoia National Park without bothering to drive up the road and seek parking. The trail on its own is simple, and just gives a taste of the place where you’re at.

Along the way you can enjoy sequoia trees scattered here and there, get away from the most crowded areas of the Giant Forest, and stop at a side trail to the Auto Log. It’s a great way to see more of Sequoia on foot if you have the time.

Length: 3.2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1.5-2 hours
Map: HikingProject

11. Alta Peak

The Alta Trail is definitely the most difficult trail on this list. The route out to Alta Peak and back via the Alta Trail can be as long as 19 miles, though alternate routes that combine the Lakes Trail and Alta Trail are closer to 13 miles round trip to the peak.

These trails can be done as a backpacking trip (with permit), but if you’re experienced with long hikes, the Lakes Trail route can be done in a day. Given its difficulty, it’s not a hike for the everyday visitor, but those familiar with mountain hiking and climbing can tackle this trail.

The trail is long, so it passes through many sections of Sequoia, with pine forests and rocky vistas. But the view from Alta Peak is what brings people out here, as views of the Sierra Nevada mountains are incredible for those that make it to the summit at 11,000 feet. Not for the average hiker!

Length: 13.5 miles
Difficulty: Strenuous
Time: 8-10 hours
Map: AllTrails

12. Hazelwood Nature Trail

Let’s bring it back down to earth with a trail that most any visitor can enjoy. The Hazelwood Nature Trail is an easy walk around the beautiful scenery of Sequoia National Park. 

The trail is in the same area as the Giant Forest Museum and the Big Trees Trail which are top things to do in Sequoia, but this one is less visited. But it’s only 0.7 miles so you can’t make an excuse to leave this one off your list. 

Definitely visit this one when you’re in the area. The Nature Trail takes you through a Sequoia Grove with several fallen sequoia, one carved out into a tunnel you can walk through. This fun forested path is a great one for a quiet loop through the trees.

Length: 0.7 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 20 minutes
Map: AllTrails

13. Muir Grove

The Muir Grove is a group of Sequoias found further into the park. It’s not a part of the Giant Forest or Grant Grove which are where many of the named trees are found, along with the bulk of visitors. 

So if you want a hike that’s a bit less traveled, the Muir Grove is a unique trail that will take you to see Sequoias. Forests, woodland, creeks and meadows are all along the trail to the grove, making the hike to this hidden gem as much about the journey as the destination.

The Muir Grove trailhead is located in Dorst Creek Campground, which is closed seasonally, and as of this writing, has been closed for several years due to storm damage. But you can still get to the trail on foot by parking at the road and walking an additional mile to the campground as the trail itself is not closed.

Length: 4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 2-3 hours
Map: AllTrails

14. Eagle View

As the name suggests, Eagle View is a hike to a beautiful view in Sequoia National Park. When you visit Sequoia you’re thinking about the trees, but the park’s beautiful views are just as good, and this trail has both.

The trail to Eagle View is a side trail from Crescent Meadow and makes a great short hike on this side of the park. Walking along the High Sierra Trail, you’ll be greeted with one of the best views in Sequoia. The mountain range of the Great Western Divide is unbelievable.

At less than 2 miles round trip, and a fairly moderate elevation gain, this is one of the best ways to get out of the well traveled path while not straying far from the trailhead.

Length: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour
Map: AllTrails

15. Hanging Rock

Many people love the views from Moro Rock and forget about its neighbor, Hanging Rock. This is another viewpoint just down the road from Moro which has similar views, but an easier path and quieter summit.

Since Hanging Rock is near many of the hikes on the loop off the Giant Forest area, stopping here is an easy addition to any Sequoia itinerary. On your way to or from Moro Rock or Crescent Meadow, stop here for more views.

Plus the unique part of this trail is the rock that is perched on the edge of the granite cliff, giving the trail its name. Beautiful views that are worth stopping in.

Length: 0.3 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 30 minutes
Map: AllTrails

16. The Lakes Trail

You’ve already heard about the Lakes Trail as it was mentioned on the route to Alta Peak, but this day hike is one of the best in Sequoia for a longer trip to explore the mountains of Sequoia. 

The Lakes Trail is a trek that will take you out quite a few miles to some alpine lakes. Heather Lake, Aster Lake, Emerald Lake, and Pear Lake are the four that you’ll come to along this route. Imagine some of the most clear glassy lakes surrounded by pine trees and rolling mountains. That’s what you’ll find here.

This trail is definitely one I’d put on my list if I get to visit Sequoia again and spend time in this rocky region of the park.

Length: 12 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Time: 7 hours
Map: AllTrails

17. Eagle Lake

For another lake hike that’s great for a morning or afternoon in Sequoia, the Eagle Lake Trail will take you on a beautiful adventure in the Mineral King Valley. You’ll get to see Eagle Creek making its way into the valley and enjoy the scenery on the way to the lake.

Lakes in the midst of this scenery are always stunning and beautiful to experience. This trail is a great spot for backpacking (with a permit!) to totally soak in the lake experience.

The distance, elevation, and altitude is perfect for a day hike that requires some effort to enjoy the views. Just beware in the spring and summer the marmots are active and have a habit of chewing on the underside of vehicles. If you visit, bring a tarp or borrow one from the nearby ranger station if available.

Length: 6.8 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 4-5 hours
Map: AllTrails

18. Marble Falls

If you’re looking for a waterfall hike in Sequoia National Park then Marble Falls is a good trail for you. Climb up through the valley among pockets of wildflowers to reach the rushing waterfall.

Marble Falls is best hiked in the spring when the falls are full and the heat of summer hasn’t yet arrived in the foothills. It’s a beautiful trail at any time though and the terrain is amazing to hike through.

After reaching the falls you’ll have a spot to enjoy the views and then hike downhill back to the trailhead. You’ve completed one of the many trails that give variety in Sequoia National Park.

Length: 6.2 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 4 hours
Map: AllTrails

Enjoy the Best Hikes in Sequoia National Park

From trails that give you the classic giant Sequoias to mountain hikes and waterfall views, there’s a little bit of everything in Sequoia National Park. These 18 trails are the best hikes in Sequoia National Park and now you have what you need to to pick out the hikes for you.

Enjoy the beauty, take in the sights, and discover which spot becomes your favorite trail in Sequoia!