01
Best overall pick
Virginia Lakes Basin to Frog Lakes and Summit Lake
Virginia Lakes Basin Trailhead At End Of Virginia Lakes Road • High-Alpine Lake And Pass Hike • Signature Virginia Lakes Hike
A classic basin hike that strings together bright-blue lakes and big views, with easy options to shorten or extend your day.
From the main Virginia Lakes trailhead, a well-traveled path climbs past Blue, Cooney, and Frog Lakes toward the pass above Summit Lake. You can turn around at any lake for a gentler outing, or push on to the saddle for sweeping views into the Hoover Wilderness. The grade is steady but not technical, making this the go-to first hike for many visitors who want a complete feel for the basin.
02
Best forest-and-lake combo
Green Creek Trail to Green Lake
Green Creek Canyon South Of Virginia Lakes • Shaded Creek And Forest Trail To Alpine Lake • Great Half-Day Outing
A gently climbing creek-side trail that delivers you to a deep-green lake ringed by peaks and quiet campsites.
The Green Creek trailhead sits a short drive south down Highway 395, but feels pleasantly tucked away once you start walking under the pines. The route follows the sound of the creek through meadows and mixed forest before opening up at Green Lake, where anglers, picnickers, and casual hikers can all find space to spread out. It is a great choice on warmer days when you want both shade and classic Sierra scenery without a huge elevation gain.
03
Waterfall and fall-color favorite
Lundy Canyon Trail
Lundy Canyon East Of Highway 395 • Canyon Hike With Beaver Ponds And Waterfalls • Best For Photographers
A lush glacial canyon lined with cascades, ponds, and aspen groves that lights up in both early summer and peak autumn color.
Starting near Lundy Lake, this trail heads up a narrow U-shaped canyon where the sound of waterfalls follows you almost the entire way. Boardwalks and soft tread wind past beaver ponds and dense aspen stands, with rock walls towering above and side views toward hanging lakes. The grade is moderate but the scenery changes constantly, making it a favorite for hikers who like to stop often for photos and short side explorations.
04
Most dramatic alpine loop
Twenty Lakes Basin Loop via Saddlebag Lake
Tioga Pass And Saddlebag Lake Area Southwest Of Virginia Lakes • High-Elevation Lake-Loop Circuit • Big-Scenery All-Day Loop
A wide-open high-country circuit that circles one lake after another beneath the crest of the Sierra.
A scenic drive over Tioga Pass brings you to Saddlebag Lake, where a well-marked trail loops through the aptly named Twenty Lakes Basin. The walking is mostly moderate but stays above tree line, with constant views of granite ridges, lingering snowfields, and turquoise tarns. It is an excellent choice for strong hikers who have already sampled the Virginia Lakes basin and want a full-day tour of even higher country.
05
Top summit objective
Dunderberg Peak from Virginia Lakes
High Ridgeline Above Virginia Lakes Basin • Steep Summit And Ridgeline Hike • Best Peak Challenge
A stout climb to a broad summit with commanding views over Virginia Lakes, Mono Lake, and deep into the Hoover Wilderness.
From near Big Virginia or via the main basin trail, use paths and use-trails to gain the open slopes of Dunderberg Peak, then follow the ridge to the summit. The hiking is mostly on stable, talus-studded slopes, but the elevation and sustained climbing make this a better pick for acclimated, experienced hikers. On clear days the payoff is huge, with a 360-degree panorama that helps you place nearly every other hike in the region from a bird's-eye view.