Yosemite Valley is a glacial valley about 8 miles long and up to a mile deep, surrounded by high granite summits such as Half Dome and El Capitan, and densely forested with pines. The valley is renowned for its natural beauty, attracting visitors from around the world. There are both hiking trail loops that stay within the valley and trailheads that lead to higher elevations, all of which afford glimpses of the park's many scenic wonders.br/br/Yosemite National Park reaches across the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain chainis in central California. It is internationally recognized for its spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams and Giant Sequoia groves.