Yosemite Valley Walking & Hiking Tour
5 days
4 nights
Activity Levels 1-3
Deluxe Hotels
Yosemite Valley Walking & Hiking Tour
5 days
4 nights
Activity Levels 1-3
Deluxe Hotels
2026: Apr-Jun
National Park’s Springtime Waterfalls & Wilderness
Lights, camera, action! Spring has sprung, and the drama is real. Waterfalls, flowers and snow-covered peaks are on cue. And the stars are ready for their close-ups: Half Dome, El Capitan, Sentinel Rock. Bravo!
Highlights
- Spectacular hikes to meadows vibrating with life, refreshing waterfalls and jaw-dropping vistas put a spring in your step
- Walk through a grove of Yosemite’s giant sequoias and experience the energy of these majestic trees
- Explore Yosemite’s incomparable valley floor without the typical summertime crowds
- Marvel at eminent rock formations, including world-famous Half Dome and El Capitan
- Cool down in misty spray from the park’s must-see waterfalls, including Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall and Bridalveil Fall
Start/End San Francisco
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Days 1-2
Set out on foot through Yosemite Valley from Bridalveil Fall, taking in views of iconic Half Dome and El Capitan • Soak in the historic ambience of the storied Ahwahnee Hotel as you roam the museum-like hallways and relax in the same public spaces that hosted presidents, royalty and celebrities • Hike from Yosemite Valley past waterfalls and towering granite walls • Follow a stretch of the famed John Muir Trail • Visit the Ansel Adams Gallery • Savor dinner and views out to Glacier Point from the floor-to-ceiling windows in the Ahwahnee’s grand dining room, featuring a 34-foot-high gabled ceiling with massive pine trusses.
Nights 1-2
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)
Days 3-5
Hike amid majestic giant sequoias in Tuolumne Grove—these centuries-old trees will take your breath away • Get up close and personal with Big Red and the Dead Giant for a sense of perspective • Sink into the charming comfort of one of Yosemite’s top-rated properties, situated on a wooded 20-acre expanse • Explore Hetch Hetchy, engaging with the valley’s fascinating natural and human history • View striking Kolana Rock, an El Capitan-like granite dome looming 2,000 feet above, as well as Wapama Falls’ triple cascades • Delight in an array of brightly colored wildflowers, including lupine, monkey flower, buttercup and wallflower in the valley once described by John Muir as “a grand landscape garden” • Hike alongside the South Fork of the Tuolumne River to picturesque two-tiered Carlon Falls.
Nights 3-4
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)
What's Included
See moreStraight 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.
Springtime weather in Yosemite is generally pleasant, with typically warm days and cold nights. However, rain and snow are still possible and, even in an average year, higher elevations are routinely covered in snow. Trail conditions in spring can be wet, muddy or even snowy, and hiking routes and distances may need to change depending on these conditions.
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 enables us to explore our favorite areas of the park and enjoy its natural wonders and springtime splendor to the fullest.
The Ahwahnee is a historical treasure and by far the best place to stay in the Yosemite Valley. Its location within Yosemite National Park makes it an ideal base for exploring the valley's many sights, but also means it is run by the national park and subject to park regulations and oversight. Similar to many national park lodges, service at The Ahwahnee can seem slow and brusque compared to the normally high standards found on other Backroads trips. In addition, the property is undergoing a multi-year seismic upgrade, although most construction typically occurs while we’re out exploring in the park.
Hotels
Deluxe Hotels
Our Deluxe hotels have great ambience and modern comforts.
Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.
Nights 1-2
*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)
Nights 3-4
*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)
Gallery
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Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations (if any) and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
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