A view of Half Dome from the peak of a nearby mountain.

View Gallery

Yosemite Hiking & Walking Tour

A National Park Wonderland of Giant Sequoias & Granite Cliffs

Legendary. Sublime. Epic. It’s not hyperbole when you’re talking about Yosemite. The rock formations, the views, the wildlife—the grandeur is real. Welcome to your 761,266 acres of “wow!”

6 days, 5 nights

Deluxe Hotels

Activity Levels 2-4

Couples, Friends & Solos

Also Available for: Women

From $4,799 - $5,299/person

Itinerary Where You’ll Stay What to Know Reviews

Compare

Saved

Save

View Dates & prices

Snapshots from the Trip

Trip at a Glance

Highlights

Experience spectacular hikes to alpine meadows, canyons, lakes and jaw-dropping vistas of Half Dome and other park icons
Take a wide-eyed walk through Yosemite’s largest grove of giant sequoias and feel what it’s like to be surrounded by more than 500 of the colossal specimens!
Explore the scenic trails of Tuolumne Meadows—including a portion of the famed John Muir Trail—a vast area surrounded by glaciated domes and majestic peaks
Discover some of Yosemite’s grand domes, including Sentinel and North—once you see them, you’ll know what the fuss is about!
Follow a beautiful trail through conifer forests and grassy meadows to Yosemite’s only natural arch, with amazing views the entire way

Sample itinerary. Trip details may vary by departure.

Start San Francisco Airport & Travel Details

Hike amid an awe-inspiring grove of giant sequoias, Yosemite’s imposing ancient trees—many estimated to be upwards of 2,000 years old, give or take a few centuries
Meet the renowned Grizzly Giant, one of the oldest trees in the world at an estimated 2,900 years
Tucked into the pines of Sierra National Forest, our comfortable lodge welcomes us at day’s end.

Tenaya Lodge

(Deluxe Hotel, 1 night)

Activity Options & Terrain

Exterior sky view of large wooden buildings with blue roofs, and outdoor pools in front

Restaurant dining area with wooden chairs and tables, with a large, enclosed firepit in the center

Exterior view of wooden cabin building with large windows, and an outdoor patio

Indoor bar and lounge with a horseshoe-shaped marble counter and alcohol along the walls

Outdoor pool surrounded by beige and brown chairs and umbrellas, with buildings covered by trees

Night 1

Tenaya Lodge

Fish Camp

Deluxe Hotel

A comfortable mountain resort near Yosemite’s South Gate with plentiful amenities and panoramic forest views. (pool, spa)

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

Hike to Glacier Point for phenomenal views that some swear are the best the park has to offer
The unforgettable vistas keep coming, as you follow panoramic trails to Sentinel Dome and Taft Point—whether it’s the backcountry peaks or a 360-degree view of Yosemite Valley, this hike has it all
Settle into the iconic Ahwahnee Hotel, an impressive feat of architecture
A hike along a scenic loop through Yosemite Valley offers close encounters with famous waterfalls, towering granite walls and includes exceptional views of Half Dome as well as a chance to visit beautiful Mirror Lake.

The Ahwahnee

(Deluxe Hotel, 2 nights)

Activity Options & Terrain

Indoor dining hall with tall wooden and stone pillars

Outdoor pool, surrounded by orange trees and black reclining chairs

Nights 2-3

The Ahwahnee

Yosemite Village

Deluxe Hotel

A National Historic Landmark, this iconic hotel features elaborate stained-glass windows, original Miwok Indian arts and crafts, Persian rugs and Shaker-style furnishings. (pool)

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

Explore sprawling Tuolumne Meadows with its endless hiking trails and glorious high-country scenery
Take in impressive views on a hike along the John Muir trail featuring picturesque Cathedral Lakes or Twin Bridges
Delight in the range of amenities at one of Yosemite’s newest lodges, situated on a wooded 20-acre expanse
Make your way along a less-traveled path through woodland and meadows to the big reveal at North Dome―one of the most stunning views of Half Dome and Yosemite Valley in the park
Hike alongside the South Fork of the Tuolumne River to delicate two-tiered Carlon Falls.

Rush Creek Lodge

(Deluxe Hotel, 2 nights)

Activity Options & Terrain

Exterior view of wooden hotel building with an outdoor pool, surrounded by tall trees

Outdoor pool surrounded by tan umbrellas and a wooden cabin in the background

Two red chairs in front of a wall full of paintings and antique trinkets

Yosemite Walking & Hiking Tour - Rush Creek Lodge

Outdoor bar area with a stone wall and a sofa in front of a stone fire pit

Nights 4-5

Rush Creek Lodge

Groveland

Deluxe Hotel

Set on 20 wooded acres at the doorstep to Yosemite National Park, this new lodge offers an ideal blend of contemporary sophistication and rustic warmth. (pool, spa)

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

End San Francisco Airport & Travel Details

Start/End
Overnight stay
Trip direction

View & Download

This trip has an activity level range of 2-4

Hiking & Walking

Level 1

3 miles

200 ft. gain

View Dates & Prices From $4,799/person

What to Know

What's Included

See Everything Included

Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Shuttle Time

In order to bring you the best of what Yosemite has to offer, we spend more time shuttling on this trip than on a typical Backroads trip. This includes time spent driving between our favorite areas of the park, as well as variable wait times at entrance gates and popular attractions, which can add to the overall shuttle time.

Accommodations & Service at The Ahwahnee

The iconic Ahwahnee Hotel is celebrated for its history, architecture and unmatched setting in the heart of Yosemite Valley. As with many national park lodges, amenities are limited, guestrooms are simple and service is often slower and more casual than on a typical Backroads trip. While the Ahwahnee dining room is rightly famous for its grandeur and ambiance, the food and service sometimes fall short of guest expectations. Wi‑Fi and cell service are often unreliable at the hotel and throughout the park.

Traffic & Crowds

Yosemite is a spectacular place that attracts millions of visitors every year. During peak season and over holiday weekends, wait times at park entrances and traffic in the park are common, as well as crowds at popular trails and viewpoints, especially in Yosemite Valley. We do our best to avoid the busiest places and times, but some congestion may be unavoidable. We appreciate your patience as we experience this beautiful place with many other visitors.

FAQs

This trip is best suited for adults who enjoy moderate hikes as well as longer routes with climbs and descents. It’s ideal for those who want to experience Yosemite’s iconic sights on foot, from giant sequoias and Yosemite Valley to the park’s high country.

This is a Level 2–4 Hiking & Walking trip, with shorter options covering roughly 3–7 miles and the longest options reaching around 11 miles, with up to 1,900 feet of elevation gain. A typical day includes multiple flexible route choices—see this trip’s Activity Options & Terrain in the itinerary for day-by-day details or learn more about Backroads’ activity levels.

Hiking takes place on well-maintained trails throughout Yosemite, with some paved paths in the Valley. Routes also follow dirt and rocky mountain trails through forests, meadows and granite landscapes, with some uneven footing and stone steps along the way.

Shuttles connect the different areas of Yosemite explored throughout the trip, including giant sequoia groves, Yosemite Valley and the high country. Several days include drives of 1.5 hours or more between hiking areas and hotels, with scenic routes through different parts of the park.

Trusted by Travelers Since 1979

7,000+ 5-star reviews.
Your Day, Your Way

Route and activity options to match your pace and preferences.
24/7 Local Support

Experienced leaders on every trip backed by a dedicated service team.
Never Outsourced

Expert trip design rooted in five decades of local knowledge and relationships.
Small Groups

More access, flexibility and connection, with an average of 14 guests.