Half Dome (Cables Route)
A 14–16-mile round trip with roughly 4,800 feet of gain, finishing with a 400-foot climb up bolted cables to a granite dome nearly 8,800 feet high. One of the most demanding day hikes in the country and a permit-only, cables-up-only objective.
By The US Hikers editorial team · Last verified July 5, 2026
- Distance
- 14–16 mi RT
- Elevation gain
- 4,800 ft
- Permit
- Required
- Best season
- Late May to early October, only while the cables are up
Permit note: A permit is required for the final cables ascent, issued by lottery on recreation.gov (a preseason lottery in spring plus a daily lottery two days ahead). Rangers check permits at the base of the cables.
Trail overview
The standard route climbs from Happy Isles past Vernal and Nevada Falls on the Mist Trail, through Little Yosemite Valley, then up the shoulder to the sub-dome and the famous cables. Round-trip distance runs 14 to 16 miles depending on whether you take the Mist Trail or the John Muir Trail.
The cables — two steel handlines up bare granite — are the crux. They are typically installed late May and removed in October; outside that window the summit is a technical climb, not a hike.
Permits and the lottery
Permits are required whenever the cables are up and are distributed by lottery on recreation.gov: a preseason lottery (apply in spring) and a daily lottery you can enter two days before your hike. Demand far exceeds supply on summer weekends, so weekday dates and the preseason lottery improve your odds.
Confirm current lottery windows, group limits and fees on the official Yosemite Half Dome page before planning.
Fitness, timing and safety
Plan on 10–14 hours. Start before dawn to be off the cables well before afternoon storms, which are a genuine lightning risk on an exposed granite dome. Do not get on wet cables.
Carry 4+ liters of water or a filter, gloves for the cables, and be honest about your conditioning — this hike sends unprepared people to the emergency room every season.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a Half Dome permit?
Through the recreation.gov lottery — either the spring preseason lottery or the daily lottery two days before your date. Permits are only issued while the cables are up.
How long is the Half Dome hike?
14 to 16 miles round trip with about 4,800 feet of elevation gain, typically 10–14 hours.
When are the Half Dome cables up?
Usually from late May through mid-October, weather permitting. Exact dates are set by the park each year.
Make it a trip
Where to stay, what else to do and how to build an itinerary around Yosemite National Park.
Plan a Yosemite trip on Roam StatesSources
Primary sources only for facts that change (fees, permits, closures): nps.gov, fs.usda.gov and official recreation.gov permit pages. We stamp every guide with a "last verified" date and re-check seasonal figures each year.