Yosemite Walking & Hiking Tour
Yosemite Walking & Hiking Tour
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 2-4
Deluxe Hotels
2025: Jun-Oct2026: Jun-Oct
National Park's Dramatic Half Dome & Waterfalls
Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls—legendary landmarks in an epic national park whose grandeur is almost overwhelming. Marvel at soaring granite cliffs that were once likened to Gothic cathedrals. Soak up sublime vistas. Hike to thundering waterfalls. Peer up at towering sequoias. Welcome to Yosemite National Park: 761,266 acres of "wow!"
Highlights
- Experience spectacular hikes to alpine meadows, waterfalls, hidden canyons and jaw-dropping panoramas
- Walk through Yosemite’s largest grove of giant sequoias, where more than 500 of these mammoth trees rise up from the forest floor
- Explore the endless trails of Tuolumne Meadows, a vast area surrounded by glaciated domes and majestic peaks
- Discover the impressive rock formations that Yosemite's known for, including Sentinel and Lembert domes and world-famous Half Dome
Start/End San Francisco
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Day 1
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.
Night 1
A comfortable mountain resort near Yosemite’s South Gate with plentiful amenities and panoramic forest views. (pool, spa)
Days 2-3
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 • Journey through Yosemite Valley on foot for close encounters with famous waterfalls and towering granite walls • Spend the afternoon as you wish, perhaps hopping on a bike for a cruise through Yosemite Valley or visiting the Ansel Adams Gallery.
Nights 2-3
A National Historic Landmark, this iconic hotel features elaborate stained-glass windows, original Miwok Indian arts and crafts, Oriental rugs and Shaker-style furnishings. (pool)
Days 4-6
Explore sprawling Tuolumne Meadows with endless hiking trails, glorious high-country scenery and a profusion of wildflowers • Gaze up at Lembert Dome, a huge mound of polished granite • Delight in the range of amenities at one of Yosemite’s newest lodges, situated on a wooded 20-acre expanse • Get to know Hetch Hetchy, an enchanting valley with fascinating natural and human history • Discover the striking granite dome Native Americans called Kolana and the triple cascade of Wapama Falls • Hike alongside the South Fork of the Tuolumne River to delicate two-tiered Carlon Falls.
Nights 4-5
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.
We spend more time shuttling on this trip than we do on many other Backroads trips in order to bring you the very best of Yosemite’s natural wonders. We want to make the most of your time in this vast and spectacular national park, and our itinerary—complete with shuttles—has been specifically designed to do just that.
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 it 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 casual when compared with the hospitality 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.
Night 1
*Deluxe Hotel
A comfortable mountain resort near Yosemite’s South Gate with plentiful amenities and panoramic forest views. (pool, spa)
Nights 2-3
*Deluxe Hotel
A National Historic Landmark, this iconic hotel features elaborate stained-glass windows, original Miwok Indian arts and crafts, Oriental rugs and Shaker-style furnishings. (pool)
Nights 4-5
*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)
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Review Snapshot
by PowerReviews
Reviewed by 12 customers
Backroads Yosemite exceeds expectations
My friend and I signed up for the Backroads Yosemite Walking and Hiking Tour. We wanted to see the park but have someone else do the planning, logistics and transportation. Backroads did not disappoint. Great itinerary with many highlights. Three effective tour leaders who worked well together to support tour participants. Very nice lodging. If you want to see Yosemite, this is the way to do it.
FABULOUS TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Our leaders were passionate and knowledgeable about where they were taking us. It was organized well with options for all levels. Great hikes, great views, and the leaders handled everything seamlessly with good organization, passion for their jobs, smiles and humor and, most-importantly.....SNACKS and DRINKS at the end of each hike!! It was a GREAT TRIP.
One of the best!
Our Walking & Hiking trip in Yosemite was our 4th Backroads vacation. If you are interested in seeing Yosemite or any of the other national parks, then do it the Backroads way. First, the trip leaders, Jonah, Timothy and Jackson were outstanding in every way, knowledgeable, friendly, great chefs, and did anything and everything to make every guest's trip the best it could be. All the accommodations and meals were first rate. The itinerary was perfect allowing us to walk & hike through many different parts of Yosemite, getting the full experience of the park and all it has to offer: pine forests, huge granite mountains, meadows , waterfalls, and a sequoia forest. But what really made this trip so successful was a great group of people with whom to share this week. We hiked during the day and came together at night to talk, relax, dine and do a lot of laughing.
Fantastic trip
This was our second time experiencing Yosemite with Backroads. The trip was exceptional. Our leaders shared so much information with us and brought so much fun to every activity. Our group was fantastic and we became great friends. Dara and Rob were superb leaders.
Great hiking
Yosemite has been on my bucket list for decades and what a great trip! Backroads got us off the beaten path and we got a great circuit through the park in a limited time
Hiking Yosemite with Backroads exceeded my high expectations
Kevin, Jonah, and Dominic took care of every detail of our trip with outstanding care and good humor so that as I guest I could enjoy Yosemite without the stress. Backroads is the way to go for outdoor adventure trips!
Yosemite June 2024
This was a great trip to Yosemite. Our leaders, Sam and Ian, along with our support leader, Jonah, ensured that we were well taken care of and were extremely knowledgeable about the park. It was clear that they love what they do and loved sharing that with us. While the hikes could be quite challenging, the effort was totally worth it.
The services were exceptional and the staff fantastic!!
The experience was 5 star. Good people, delicious meals and services. The beauty of Yosemite National Park is phenomenal.
Amazing Yosemite trip
Amanda and Annie were two of the most warm, intelligent and enthusiastic people we have ever met. They shared their love of nature and Yosemite with us. Their zest for life and adventure was contagious. Hikes were challenging, but definitely all doable. Highlights were the top of sentinel dome and the high country with the Tuolumne river and the Meadows, Glacier point as well as the views of Yosemite falls, El Capitan and Halfdome, and close-ups of the falls at Hetch Hetchy
Epic Waterfalls and Backroads delivered
Our expectations were exceeded. This was our first experience with a group tour. The leaders were phenomenal and so professional. We could relax and the Backroads team took care of every detail. Loved meeting all the people on our trip from across America, Canada, Mexico. It was a lovely trip and it was flexible and accommodating to all who were a participated. The leaders work hard to make sure we are safe and enjoying our vacation. Very special experience!
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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