John Muir Trail
A legendary high Sierra trail through some of America’s best mountain scenery.
Route overview
The John Muir Trail runs through the Sierra Nevada, including Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. It is famous for granite peaks, alpine lakes and wilderness landscapes.
Trail facts
- Country
- United States
- Region
- Sierra Nevada
- Distance
- 340 km
- Typical duration
- 18–25 days
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Elevation gain
- 14,000 m
- Best season
- July–September
- Trail type
- Point-to-point
Safety context
Permits are required. Altitude, snow, river crossings, bears and resupply logistics require careful planning.
Highlights
Yosemite, high passes, alpine lakes, Sierra wilderness.
Primary source
Explore and prepare
Discover hikes by intent, read the hiking guides, review hiking safety, prepare a BuddyPack, or browse hiking plans.
Route conditions, access, services and transport can change. Verify time-sensitive information before departure.