What is the famous hiking trail in California：The John Muir Trail

Hi there, I’m Jason — born and raised in Northern California, trail junkie, and a sucker for any excuse to ditch my phone and get lost in the wilderness (in a good way). If you’ve ever Googled “famous hiking trails in California,” I can pretty much guarantee the John Muir Trail pops up every time — and for good reason.

I hiked the full thing two summers ago, and I’m telling you right now: no amount of YouTube videos, REI blog posts, or Instagram drone shots will prepare you for how epic it really is.

So if you’re curious about the most iconic hiking trail in California — and honestly, one of the best in the entire U.S. — this is your guide. No fluff, no sales pitch. Just the trail, the truth, and a little dirt under your boots.

The John Muir Trail (JMT) is a 211-mile long-distance trail that winds its way through the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountains, from Yosemite Valley in the north to Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous U.S., in the south.

This isn’t your average weekend day hike. The JMT takes most people about 2 to 4 weeks to complete, depending on pace, weather, and how many times you stop to cry from the overwhelming beauty (yes, I did).

It’s the combination of raw, untouched wilderness and iconic landmarks. On the JMT, you pass through:

You hike past endless alpine lakes, granite peaks, wildflower meadows, and glacier-carved valleys. There are days where you won’t see another person — just deer, marmots, and the occasional (harmless) bear if you’re lucky.

Plus, you end the whole thing by summiting Mount Whitney, standing at 14,505 feet. Not a bad place to cry tears of joy.

Let me be honest: it’s not easy. You’re carrying a pack for 15 to 20 miles a day, sometimes climbing over high mountain passes above 11,000 feet. You’ll deal with altitude, sore knees, river crossings, and the occasional storm.

But the trail is well-maintained, clearly marked, and absolutely worth the sweat.

If you’re not up for the whole thing, you can still section hike parts of the trail — for example, the portion from Tuolumne Meadows to Reds Meadow is stunning and only takes a few days.

The ideal window is mid-July through mid-September. That’s when most of the snow has melted from the high passes, but before the big Sierra storms start rolling in.

June can still be icy. October can be sketchy. Plan accordingly and always check trail conditions and permit availability ahead of time.

This is the hardest part of the JMT — not the hiking, not the planning, not the altitude. It’s getting the permit. Because it’s so popular, Yosemite’s permit lottery system is ultra-competitive.

I applied five times before I finally snagged one. Pro tip: Be flexible with your dates, and consider starting at Lyell Canyon (Tuolumne Meadows) instead of Happy Isles if you want better odds.

Also: Carry a bear canister. It’s required in most parts of the Sierra and honestly a lifesaver (for your snacks and your nerves).

Don’t overpack — every ounce counts after mile 100.

If I had to pick a few favorites:

Every hiker I met had different favorites. That’s the magic of the trail — it meets you where you are.

The John Muir Trail isn’t just a hike — it’s a rite of passage. It’s a place where you remember how small you are, in the best possible way. Where you eat ramen like it’s Michelin-starred and where sunrise becomes your favorite color.

Whether you thru-hike the whole thing or just spend a weekend exploring a piece of it, you’ll come back different — stronger, maybe quieter, probably dirtier, and definitely hooked.

So yeah. The most famous hiking trail in California?
No question. It’s the John Muir Trail.

See you out there.
—Jason