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Map of Hiking in Yosemite and King's Canyon including United States Of America

A California collection of natural wonders and urban beaches

See some of California’s most famous natural wonders and stunning scenery on a 6-day round-trip small group adventure. Meet your group in San Francisco, before you travel to Yosemite National Park to marvel at mighty waterfalls, spend the night at Kings Canyon, and hike Sequoia National Park. With easy to moderate walks, comfortable accommodation, and a knowledgeable leader, this trip is big on beauty.

Start
San Francisco, United States
Finish
San Francisco, United States
Destination
United States
Style
Original
Theme
Walking & Trekking
Code
SIXK
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Escape the tourist crowds with an itinerary designed to show you the very best that Yosemite National Park has to offer, while still expertly avoiding the busiest areas.

  • Hike at your own comfort level with options for alternate routes and a schedule that eases you in – your first hike is an easy one, allowing you to go slow before tackling more serious trails.

  • Learn about the important work being done by Yosemite Conservancy, with an educational guided walk through the historic Ahwahnee village, where you’ll learn about Native American heritage and the park’s conservation efforts.

  • Explore the Congress Trail in King’s Canyon and find the largest living tree on Earth – majestic General Sherman.

  • Forgo the camping sites typical for most visitors to Yosemite and Kings Canyon and instead rest your feet each evening in a rustic mountain resort that boasts unforgettable views and plenty of charm and character.

  • We love hiking, but that topped with a good beer is even better. Visit Visalia Microbrewery in Kings Canyon to check what’s on tap.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This is a walking trip; a good fitness level will help you enjoying all included walks and activities.

  • Yosemite Park boasts warm summers but be prepared for colder evenings and possibly rainy days. Good clothing and appropriate footwear are a must.

  • This trip involves a fair amount of driving. Each day we will take a shuttle from our accommodation to the start of the hiking trails.

  • This trip is new to our range this year. And while we have thoroughly researched every detail of the logistics, new destinations can sometimes throw us some unexpected surprises. More often than not, it’ll be a great surprise. But every now and again there might be a hiccup. We like to think that’s what puts the ‘adventure’ in ‘adventure travel’.

Tour group walking through Yosemite Valley, USA
View of Yosemite Valley Tunnel View, with rainbow off the falls, USA
Beautiful red Chinese lanterns in Chinatown of San Francisco, California, USA
Golden Gate Bridge seen from scenic Baker Beach, San Francisco, California, USA
Hiker in front of Bridal Veil falls, Yosemite National Park, California, USA
Exploring a fallen giant sequoia in Tuolumne Grove, Yosemite, California, USA
View from Moro Rock on Mountains Great Western Divide, California, USA
Dwarfed by giant sequoia in Kings Canyon National Park, California, USA

Itinerary
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Welcome to San Francisco! Your tour starts at 12 noon with a group meeting followed by your first walk of the trip, an easy hike along the Marin Headlands Trail. Have your camera handy as you enjoy superb views of dramatic cliffs, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Pacific Ocean and the wild and rocky California coast which stretches almost 50 kilometres into the distance. After the hike, return to your San Francisco hotel where you’ll have time to freshen up and perhaps join your group for dinner (optional) at a local restaurant.
Included Activities
  • San Francisco - Marin Headlands hike
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting at 12 noon as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Your walking distance today is approximately 5.5 kms.

After breakfast, head to famous Yosemite National Park, with a lunch stop along the way at the historic Iron Door Saloon, the oldest continuously operating saloon in California, dating back to the mid-1800s. Be sure to check out the saloon’s old photos of the Hetch Hetchy Valley and collection of antique gold mining tools. Look around closely and you might even spot a few stray bullet holes in the walls. In the afternoon, your group will take a guided walk with an expert guide from Yosemite Conservancy and learn about the important work the group does for the Native American community and preserving their culture within the park. As you walk from the historic Ahwahnee Hotel through the meadows of Yosemite Valley and past the ruins of an old pioneer village, you’ll hear Native American stories and history, and learn about Yosemite’s role in the country’s conservationist movement. Your guided walk will end at the Yosemite Valley Lodge, where your leader will be waiting to transport you back to your accommodation at Yosemite Bug, a cosy and charming mountain lodge that features a garden deck and views over the gorge. Settle into your home for the next couple of days and soak up the rustic atmosphere.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Yosemite NP - Conservancy Exclusive Walk
  • Yosemite NP - The Ahwahnee Historic Lodge Visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Millions of visitors come here each year to see Yosemite’s granite cliffs, pine-studded valleys and thundering waterfalls such as Nevada Fall on The Mist Trail which you’ll be visiting today. After a short one hour drive from your accommodation, you'll reach the start of The Mist Trail. This is Yosemite's signature hike with stunning views along the entire trail and spectacular falls which bathe your face in a cooling mist (be sure to pack your rain gear as the falls are close to the trail and you will get sprayed). You’ll also get to see Yosemite’s iconic Half Dome rock formation. It's a favourite with experienced climbers like Alex Honnold, star of the 2017 documentary Free Solo, who holds the record for the fastest ascent of the Half Dome’s Regular Northwest Face route – the first Grade IV climb in the USA. In the evening, take it easy at Yosemite Bug or head outside to gaze at the stars. If the weather is good, you can join your group around a roaring campfire stoked by your guide.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Yosemite NP - Mist Trail Hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today's total driving time is approximately 2 hours.

Hiking distance today is 7 miles (11 km) roundtrip to Nevada Fall with an elevation gain of 1900 ft (580 m).

Drive over to Kings Canyon and go for a hike along the Congress Trail which begins near the General Sherman tree. Named after a craggy-faced US Civil War general, the General Sherman is the largest tree on earth, with its roots firmly planted in California’s Sequoia National Park. The giant sequoia – also known as a redwood – is just over 80 metres tall, with a diameter of 7.7 metres. It’s estimated the tree is around 3,200 years old. This tree isn't the only reason to visit the national park though; wander beneath groves of towering giants, keep an eye out for marmots and deer, or contemplate the meaning of life in a sun-kissed meadow. This afternoon, take a tour around Visalia's Microbrewery District which combines the freshest hops in the state with a vibrant downtown area packed with beer entrepreneurs and connoisseurs. Enjoy a pint or two as you enjoy the charming hometown atmosphere with your group.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kings Canyon - Congress Trail & General Sherman Hike
  • Kings Canyon - Visalia Microbrewery Visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today's total walking distance is 2.7miles (4.3kms) along a gentle, paved incline.

Today's walk is an easy trail with impressive sweeping views of King's Canyon and the Great Western Divide. Known as the Big Baldy Trailhead, this gently sloping trail looks out over high peaks and down to the foothills below. This afternoon, relax at your hotel which is conveniently located near the national park and has an indoor pool which can be enjoyed throughout the year.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kings Canyon - Big Baldy Hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today's total walking distance is 2.2 miles one-way (4.4 miles round-trip) with a gentle slope.

Today we'll head back to San Francisco but there's time for one last short but sweet hike along the way. You'll need a good pair of shoes and plenty of water to tackle the walk known as the Big C. It's short and straight up with an incredible view from Tightwad Hill, a spot where local football fans come to watch the game without a ticket. We'll arrive back in San Francisco at approximately 5 pm when your tour will come to an end.
Included Activities
  • Berkeley - The Big C hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's total walking distance is 1.4km (1 mile) with a 305m (1,000 feet) elevation gain. The total driving time is approximately 5 hours.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

5 breakfasts, 4 lunches

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nights), Lodge (2 nights)

Included activities

  • San Francisco - Marin Headlands hike
  • Yosemite NP - Conservancy Exclusive Walk
  • Yosemite NP - The Ahwahnee Historic Lodge Visit
  • Yosemite NP - Mist Trail Hike
  • Kings Canyon - Congress Trail & General Sherman Hike
  • Kings Canyon - Visalia Microbrewery Visit
  • Kings Canyon - Big Baldy Hike
  • Berkeley - The Big C hike

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Hiking in Yosemite and King's Canyon trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

Travellers on Intrepid trips are required to produce proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. Read details here.

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 12 noon and further activities on Day 1. Please see Joining Point Hotel listed in the Essential Trip Information for this itinerary. On the final day you are expected to arrive back into San Francisco around 5pm and dropped off at the same location as the joining point.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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