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The Best Yosemite Guided Hikes & Tours

by Cedric Pentonville  |  Published May 28, 2021

Yosemite is one of the great US National Parks. The stunning valley and its surrounding mountains offer some excellent hiking opportunities and a guided tour can help unlock the park’s best features.

(Photo: Getyourguide.com)

Cathedral Peak, El Capitan, Tunnel View and Dana Meadows are some of the highlights of Yosemite National Park. These stunning natural features are complemented by the park’s waterfalls, giant sequoia trees and remaining glaciers. But knowing the best trails and most rewarding hikes, and stunning vantage points takes the expertise of a local guide, which is why these guided hikes and tours are well worth considering before finalizing your plans for visiting Yosemite. These tours all enjoy fantastic itineraries, good value for money, and good health and safety measures.

Yosemite Sunset Hike at Sentinel Dome from El Portal

El Portal lies at the western boundary of Yosemite and there are many decent hiking tours that start out here. This evening hiking tour starts with a van ride into the national park. You will then hike a short one-mile (1.6-km) route up to the top of Sentinel Dome in time for the sunset, which is one of the most special times to be in Yosemite. Your guide will pull out the champagne at this point for you to toast the view with a few snacks before hiking back to the van. Tour runs Thu-Sat. From $135 per person.

Book at Getyourguide.com

Yosemite High Country Guided Day-hike from El Portal

(Photo: Getyourguide.com)

Another decent, but easy hiking tour in Yosemite is the Pothole Dome hike. As with the previous tour, you’ll be driven from El Portal to the trailhead, from where you’ll hike 2.5 miles (4km) to the granite tops. The view from here is fantastic, looking out over Tuolumne Meadows and the craggy peaks beyond. After the hike you’ll be driven to Tenaya Lake for a picnic lunch followed by a few hours of free time to explore or swim. This tour runs from Fri-Mon. From $149 per person.

Book at Getyourguide.com

Guided Yosemite Hiking Excursion

While none of the general hiking tours available in Yosemite National Park pose any challenges for advanced hikers, the benefit of this tour is that you can curate the level of hike to your experience levels. Start by selecting your skill level, from beginner to strenuous, then head out to an appropriate trail in the park with your guide. Hikes include Sentinel Dome, El Capitan and Glacier Point, and you’ll benefit from the local knowledge of your experienced guide. This tour runs daily. From $175 per person.

Book at Viator.com

Yosemite National Park & Giant Sequoias Hike from San Francisco

(Photo: Getyourguide.com)

If you’d like to visit Yosemite from San Francisco and you don’t have your own transportation, this excellent full-day tour could be the solution. You’ll have six hours in the national park to explore the top sights, including Half Dome, El Capitan and the waterfalls of Yosemite. You’ll also be able to complete the one-mile (1.5-km) Giant Sequoia hike along a paved trail; a route that’s ideal for beginners and upwards. This tour runs daily. From $189 per person.

Book at Getyourguide.com

Yosemite Valley Private Hiking Tour

For serious hikers who can handle more than a few hours of strenuous activity, the best option may well be this private hiking tour of Yosemite. Use your guide’s expertise to craft the perfect hike for you. Hike Yosemite’s Mist Trail and head out to Mirror Lake. Please bring your own food for this tour. Your guide will have water purification equipment and a first aid kit. The price listed below is based on two people taking this tour. The price is double that listed below for one person, but reduces to as low as $117 per person as your group size increases. This tour runs daily. From $234 per person.

Book at Viator.com