Buena Vista Trail

Buena Vista Trail is a long, quiet climb through Yosemite's southern high country, gaining a summit with some of the best views in this half of the park. This isn't a valley-floor stroll — the corridor is documented on AllTrails as "Buena Vista Lake via Lower Chilnualna Falls," reached via the Chilnualna Falls Trailhead near Wawona, at roughly 24.9 miles round trip with about 5,711 feet of elevation gain to the lake, and most hikers treat the full push as a two- to three-day backpacking trip rather than a single day out.

Getting There

The standard approach starts at the Chilnualna Falls Trailhead near Wawona, climbing past Chilnualna Falls before angling into the backcountry toward Buena Vista Pass. Some backpackers also link in from Glacier Point Road to the north. Either way, the route sits well south of Yosemite Valley proper, in the forested corridor between Wawona and Glacier Point Road, so plan on a full day's drive-and-hike commitment just to reach the high country.

What's at the Top

Buena Vista Peak rewards the climb with panoramic views across south-central Yosemite that most park visitors never see. Backpackers often extend the trip past the pass to nearby backcountry lakes, including Royal Arch Lake and Buena Vista Lake, which sits close to 9,000 feet, before looping back down.

Before You Go

• Overnight stays anywhere along this route require a Yosemite wilderness permit.
• Expect long stretches of forest with few other hikers — solitude is the draw here, not scenery at every turn.
• Carry a map and know your bailout points; this is true backcountry, well beyond cell coverage or quick rescue.