Yosemite Guided Hikes

Explore our Yosemite Guided Hikes to make a lifelong connection with Yosemite National Park. Learn about the natural world and listen to the stories of Yosemite while we hike to some of the best photo spots in the park. Our guided Yosemite adventure hikes range from gentle half-day journeys that uncover natural beauty only seen on a particular trail to all-day treks that deliver rewarding vistas and true accomplishments. Strenuous hikes are also available to satisfy demanding eco tourists who strive for extraordinary challenges. Each adventure tour we offer is a unique interpretive educational experience. Our guides have roamed Yosemite and its backcountry for many years and will take pride in showing you some of the ‘secret trails’. Our main focus will be making sure you leave Yosemite with a new found knowledge of this wonderland and some of the best photos in your album. While we will share many tales of Yosemite with you, we will encourage you to write your own chapter. Adventure Hikes in Yosemite National Park for individuals,groups, and families of all ages and experience levels in every season. We guarantee smaller rosters for a more personal experience.

We plan our calendar of events based on weather conditions and road access. Some tours are only available at certain times of year. You may inquire with us if you do not see an event listed on the calendar on the date you wish to visit Yosemite. Guided Yosemite Hiking Tours (from Beginner to Challenging) are priced at $195 for 1 person and are discounted based on the size of the group. Half Dome & other Strenuous Hikes begin at $300 for 1 person & must be booked separately. 

Guided Hikes – Various Levels

Some Yosemite Hiking Tours may be available in Spanish (Ofrecemos viajes en Español). Please check for availability.

Beginner Hikes (Level 1 of 5)

Enjoy a pleasant half-day hike on a relatively gentle trail in Yosemite Valley or the High Country that will allow for excellent photo opportunities and a chance to picnic perched atop a magnificent vista point or alongside a meadow, lake, or stream. These introductory hiking tours are perfect for beginners. Expect to hike four to five miles with minimal elevation gains. Tours will last approximately four to five hours.

Beginner Yosemite Guided Hikes: Eastern Yosemite Valley & Mirror Lake, Western Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias, Sentinel Dome & Taft Point, Tuolumne Meadows
(Read Beginner Trip Descriptions..)

Moderate Hikes (Level 2 of 5)

Escape from the masses and take some of Yosemite’s most scenic trails a little further. These introductory hiking tours are perfect for beginners and novice hikers. Expect to hike five to six miles with elevation gains up to 1000 feet. Tours will last approximately five to six hours.

Moderate Yosemite Guided Hikes: Inspiration Point, Sentinel Dome and Taft Point, Wapama Falls at Hetch Hetchy, Lembert Dome and Dog Lake, Eastern Yosemite Valley, Western Yosemite Valley, Panorama Trail to Illilouette Falls, Elizabeth Lake
(Read Moderate Trip Descriptions..)

Intermediate Hikes (Level 3 of 5)

Achieve new heights on some of Yosemite’s most scenic trails. They will generally be longer than a moderate hike with more dramatic elevation gains. These demanding hiking tours are perfect for novice and experienced hikers and will offer a different perspective of the distinct character of the Valley and High Country. Expect to hike up to eight miles with elevation gains up to 2000 feet. Tours will last approximately six to seven hours.

Intermediate Yosemite Guided Hikes: Yosemite Falls & Western Yosemite Valley, JMT Waterfalls, Glacier Point to Taft Point via Sentinel Dome, Dewey & Crocker Points, Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Tuolumne & Merced Groves of Giant Sequoias, May Lake & Raisin Lake, Gaylor Lakes
(Read Intermediate Trip Descriptions..)

Challenging Hikes (Level 4 of 5)

Challenge yourself to go the extra mile (or two), and you will be rewarded with incomparable views and a greater sense of accomplishment. The added demands of these hiking tours are for adventure travelers who are experienced hikers and/or fitness enthusiasts. Expect to hike up to ten miles with various elevation gains up to 3000 feet. Tours will last approximately seven to eight hours.

Challenging Yosemite Guided Hikes: Mist Trail/JMT Waterfalls: Vernal and Nevada Falls, Panorama Trail (Glacier Point to Nevada Fall), Ostrander Lake, Chilnualna Falls, Mt. Hoffman, North Dome, Cathedral Lakes
(Read Challenging Trip Descriptions..)

Strenuous Hikes (Level 5 of 5)

Embark on a journey of self discovery during this experience that will test your personal boundaries in some of the most demanding terrain in Yosemite. Panoramic views are as incomparable as the sense of achievement you will feel upon completion of these über hikes. Typical Strenuous Hikes would include trails to Waterwheel Falls, El Capitan, Clouds Rest, & Half Dome summit attempts. These advanced tours encounter steep elevation gains and are for adventure travelers with extensive hiking experience and/or physical training. Each participant must seriously train for these tours. Expect to hike over fifteen miles with elevation gains of 3000 to 5000 feet. Tours will last seven to ten hours with the Half Dome Hike potentially lasting longer.

Strenuous Yosemite Guided Hikes: Half Dome, Upper Yosemite Fall, El Capitan, 4 Mile Trail (Valley to Glacier Point), Clouds Rest, Glen Aulin Waterfalls, Mt. Dana, Vogelsang Lake, Ten Lakes Pass, Pohono Trail from Inspiration Point to Dewey Point
(Read Strenuous Trip Descriptions..)

Half Dome Hikes

Summiting Half Dome is a major accomplishment, and our Guided Half Dome Hikes provide preparation, trail knowledge, coaching, and the benefit of added security for anyone attempting this remarkable feat. We prepare you for the long one-day journey, provide insight to the trails, offer assistance on the cables, and help you maintain your confidence throughout the day so you are able to focus on achieving your goal. Join us for a Strenuous Half Dome hiking tour and reward yourself with breathtaking views and a true sense of fulfillment.

URGENT NOTE: Half Dome now requires permits on all days during the summer season. There will now be a quota system in place. Please contact us if you obtained your own permits through the lottery and would like a guided experience or inquire about our limited number of permits we have acquired in the lottery and through the backpacking reservation system.

Family Hikes

Spend quality time with your family while learning the natural history of Yosemite. These interpretations combine short easy hikes with outdoor educational sessions that will benefit children and parents alike. We offer these introductory Beginner and Moderate Hikes at a special discount to families. Expect to hike four to six miles with minimal elevation gains. Tours will last approximately four to five hours.

Please Note: Family Tours are designed for families of 4 or more members with a $300 minimum charge. Infants and small children in child carriers are free. CALL 800 886-8009 for AVAILABILITY

Backpack Trips

Experience Yosemite Wilderness and live for a few days in the backcountry as John Muir would “while cares will drop off like Autumn leaves”. Our backpack trips allow you to unplug and decompress while you literally follow in Muir’s footprints throughout Yosemite’s wild Sierra. Times may have changed, but the wilderness continues to attract many a hiker. Allow us to bring you to  some of our favorite spots as we ramble through the high country. (URGENT: ALL Backpack Trips have been indefinitely suspended due to COVID 19)

Snowshoe Hikes

The winter months offer exclusive opportunities to enjoy Yosemite’s trails from a truly different perspective on a pair of snowshoes. These outings explore lesser known trails and will be conducted as hikes if we do not have a sufficient amount of snow in the area.

Yoga Hikes

Join a Yoga Instructor on a private journey that will nourish your body, mind, and soul. This incredible opportunity of becoming one with nature will introduce you to the history of Vinyasa Flow Yoga while practicing the movements. Experience the breathtaking beauty of Yosemite in the Tuolumne Meadows area of the park while exploring your inner peace.

Group Tours & Company Outings 

There’s no better place than the trails of Yosemite National Park to engage in team oriented custom activities for your organization. Our tours would be perfect for skill development and team building for your group.

Honeymoons, Anniversaries, & Special Occasions

If you visit Yosemite for any special occasion, we will gladly create a custom private tour for you. We specialize in honeymoons, anniversaries, birthdays, reunions, family events, holiday celebrations, graduations, and lifetime achievements. We add personal touches to make your special occasion more memorable.

YExplore Policies Payments, cancellations, tipping, etc (Read more..)