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Map of Hiking in Yosemite National Park including United States Of America

A hiking adventure with creature comforts in California’s High Sierra

Follow your feet on this 6-day walking tour that shows off the very best of Yosemite National Park. From giant sequoia trees, to the stunning Cathedral Lakes, to the massive Half Dome rock and thunderous waterfalls of the appropriately named Mist Trail, this hiking trip covers a lot of ground in a short time. Best of all, you get to experience Yosemite with a bit of comfort, thanks to transportation to and from the trailheads and accommodation in a cosy mountain lodge. But this trip is more than just pretty sights – you’ll also learn about the area’s Native American heritage and pioneer past, and about the important work being done to preserve and protect the region.

Start
San Francisco, United States
Finish
San Francisco, United States
Destination
United States
Style
Original
Theme
Walking & Trekking
Code
SIXY
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.

  • Step back in time to California’s gold rush era with a visit to the state’s oldest continuously operating saloon, boasting a collection of antique mining tools – as well as a few stray bullet holes.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This is a walking trip; a good fitness level will help you enjoying all included walks and activities. We will walk up to 8 miles (12.5 km) per day, with elevation gain of 600 metres.

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

  • On our final day we will reach San Francisco between 5 pm and 6 pm. This night’s accommodation is not included so please plan your departure accordingly, or pre-book a post-tour night.

Group of travellers hiking beneath the trees in Yosemite NP
Giant sequoia trees found in Tuolumne Grove
Two female travellers hiking in Yosemite NP
Calm Cathedral Lake and rock at sunrise in Yosemite NP
Group of travellers taking rest stop on hike in Yosemite NP
The Ahwahnee hotel with mountains in the background found in Yosemite NP
The Half Dome at sunrise, found in Yosemite NP
Female traveller posing in front of look out point while hiking in Yosemite NP
Group of hikers posing in front of trail sign, Yosemite NP

Itinerary
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Welcome to SF! California’s Golden Gate City is packed with plenty of things to do, from exploring the city’s famous Chinatown, to digging into fresh crab at Fisherman’s Wharf, to wandering through the oldest Japanese tea garden in the USA. Your day is free until our welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, so if you arrive in town early, feel free to go out and see the sights. After your group meeting the evening is free for your own discoveries – perhaps head to Chinatown and get your hands on some dim sum!
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting 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.

After breakfast, head oft for the 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. After lunch, enjoy your first walk today – an easy, downhill hike – at the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. The grove is home to, no surprise, a couple dozen mature giant sequoia trees, including one that’s been carved into a tunnel you can walk right through. Of course, what goes down must come back up, but your return upward climb will be rewarded once you arrive at your accommodation. While many visitors to Yosemite stay in campsites, you’ll get to unwind at a charming mountain lodge. Settle into your home for the next few days and soak up the rustic atmosphere.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tuolumne Grove hike
  • Iron Door Saloon visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Hiking distance today is 2.5 miles (4 km) roundtrip, with 400 feet (120 m) elevation loss to the grove.

It’s an early start today to the trailhead for the famous Cathedral Lakes, approximately 2 hours away by vehicle. It’s all worth it though, as this hike reveals some of the most impressive views in the High Sierra. Soak up the jaw-dropping, high-altitude scenery of the Lower and/or Upper Cathedral lakes that are worth every step of your 3- to 5-hour hike. If you’re concerned about difficulty and altitude levels, don’t worry – you’ll be given a choice of different routes, depending on the group’s comfort and abilities.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cathedral Lakes hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Hiking distance today is 7 miles (11 km) roundtrip to Upper or Lower Cathedral Lakes, or 8 miles (12.5 km) roundtrip to see both. Trailhead elevation is 8500 ft (2590 m), heading up to 9290 feet (2830 m) for Lower Cathedral Lake and 9600 feet (2925 m) for Upper Cathedral Lake. While this altitude is not considered ‘high’, it is important you stay hydrated and inform your Tour Leader in case you feel dizziness, headache or any other symptoms of altitude sickness.

Today’s drive to the start of the trail is shorter (approximately 1 hour), but the hike is no less incredible. The Mist Trail is Yosemite's signature hike, for good reason. While many of the park’s hikes leave the best views for the end, this trail is scattered with fabulous views along the whole route, including a few waterfalls (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 was once believed that the Half Dome was completely inaccessible to climbers, until George Anderson reached the summit in 1875. Over a century later, famed climber Alex Honnold, star of the 2017 documentary Free Solo, would hold 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, rest up back at the lodge.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Mist Trail signature hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Hiking distance today is 7 miles (11 km) roundtrip to Nevada Fall with an elevation gain of 1900 ft (580 m).

Today is slightly different, with a free morning for you to enjoy your way. You can take a shuttle to Yosemite Valley for more hiking on your own, or perhaps to visit local museums, rent a bike or anything else that interests you. Or, you may want to sign up for white water rafting (additional cost). Your tour leader will be able to help you with arrangements. In the afternoon, your group will rendezvous for an included walk with an expert guide from Yosemite Conservancy. This is a unique opportunity to 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 the lodge for your final night.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Yosemite Valley Conservancy exclusive walk
  • The Ahwahnee historic lodge visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

For your last day, enjoy a short hike on the shores of the beautiful Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Not only is this area stunning to see, but it’s also an important historic site for conservationists – controversy surrounding the construction of the Hetch Hetchy Dam helped lead to the creation of the US National Park Service in 1916. You’ll then drive back to San Francisco, aiming to arrive around 5 pm to 6 pm, at which point your Yosemite adventure ends and you are free to begin your trip home at your leisure. If you require an additional night’s accommodation in San Francisco, we can arrange that for you.
Included Activities
  • Hetch Hetchy Reservoir walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

5 breakfasts, 1 lunch

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night), Lodge (4 nights)

Included activities

  • Tuolumne Grove hike
  • Iron Door Saloon visit
  • Cathedral Lakes hike
  • Mist Trail signature hike
  • Yosemite Valley Conservancy exclusive walk
  • The Ahwahnee historic lodge visit
  • Hetch Hetchy Reservoir walk

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Hiking in Yosemite National Park trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1 in San Francisco. Please see Joining Point Hotel listed in the Essential Trip Information for this itinerary.
2. You are expected to arrive back into San Francisco around 5pm and dropped off at the same location as the joining point on the final day. There is no accommodation included on the last day in San Francisco, however we can request any additional nights should you need them.
3. A single supplement is available for this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on 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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