Old Big Oak Flat Road Trailhead

Before Highway 120 existed, Old Big Oak Flat Road was the main way into Yosemite Valley — a steep, engineered toll road that carried stagecoaches and early automobiles down from the north rim. Repeated rockslides made it unfixable, and the park closed it to vehicles in the 1940s. What's left is a rugged, unmaintained route that hikers now use to reach quiet ground below El Capitan, with connections toward Eagle Peak and Yosemite Falls for those putting together a longer day.

What to Expect

The out-and-back to the historic road's end runs roughly 7.9 miles with about 1,800 feet of elevation gain, rated moderately challenging by trail-tracking sites. It's graded like the old road it is — steady switchbacks rather than a scramble — but it is not maintained by the park, so expect rockfall debris, downed trees, and washed-out sections that come and go with the seasons.

Good to Know

• Dogs are not permitted on this trail.
• Best conditions are typically April through November; snow and washouts can close sections outside that window.
• The trailhead sits near Yosemite Valley at the base of the old road grade — bring sturdy footwear for uneven, sometimes loose tread.