Hiking & Trekking Tours & Trips in California
Ever wanted to hike California's incredible variety of landscapes? Trek Yosemite, explore John Muir Trail sections, hike the Lost Coast, or explore the Big Sur coastline. Joshua Tree is perfect for desert hiking, and Sequoia for giant trees. California packs beaches, deserts, mountains, forests into one state, and hiking reveals that diversity.
10 best hiking & trekking California tours
Compiled by
MelissaCalifornia travel expert at TourRadar
- Best of Lassen Volcanic Basecamp
- California National Park Circle: Sand to Snow, Joshua Tree, Death Valley and Yosemite
- Yosemite Hiking & Camping - 3 days
- Best of California National Parks - 6 days
- 8‑Day Yosemite, Sequoia & California Coast Adventure
- California's Great National Parks (USA National Park Non Resident Fees)
- Yosemite Escape Lodging - 3 Days
- John Muir Trail: June Lake to Tuolumne Meadows
- Alpine Lakes of the Ansel Adams Wilderness
- Yosemite Classic Summits Half Dome and Clouds Rest
Best of Lassen Volcanic Basecamp
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Parts of the park at Lassen were inaccessible, but we managed to do and see a lot. Meals were very good.”
Russell, traveled in June
California's volcanic wonderland offers daily hikes from 4-7.4 miles. The 10,463-foot Lassen Peak beckons climbers, while Bumpass Hell's thermal features and Broke-off Mountain's stunning vista point present a 2,600-foot elevation gain.
Duration 5 days Destinations Sacramento, Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park Age Range Ages 12+ Distance 264 mi Operator Wildland Trekking From
- US$2,515
This 6-day trek takes groups of up to 10 from Los Angeles to San Francisco with wilderness-trained guides. The Panorama Trail descends from Glacier Point into Yosemite Valley, while the Mist Trail leads to Vernal Fall. You'll wander among ancient sequoias in Tuolumne Grove and trek through Sand to Snow's varied terrain.
Duration 6 days Destinations Los Angeles, Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley National Park, Bishop, Lone Pine, Yosemite National Park, San Francisco Age Range Ages 12+ Distance 760 mi Operator WeVenture From
- US$4,750
Yosemite's landscapes unfold from shaded sequoia groves to Mount Hoffman's challenging summit at the park's center. May Lake's High Sierra terrain offers varied hiking options alongside Valley floor trails. Views of iconic spots like Tunnel View and Bridalveil Fall await under expert guidance.
Duration 3 days Destinations San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Santa Maria Age Range All Ages Welcome Physical Rating Easy Distance 583 mi Operator On The Go Tours From
- US$1,110
Duration 6 days Destinations Los Angeles, Angelus Oaks, Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley National Park, Lone Pine, Yosemite National Park, San Francisco Age Range Ages 12+ Physical Rating Easy Distance 668 mi Operator On The Go Tours From
- US$5,425
Yosemite's trails lead to Nevada Falls, while Zumwalt Meadows welcome visitors in Kings Canyon. Ancient Sequoia groves give way to coastal paths at Point Lobos State Park and along Moonstone Beach in Cambria, offering stunning Pacific views.
Duration 8 days Destinations San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Cambria, Big Sur Age Range Ages 8+ Physical Rating Moderate Distance 697 mi Operator Southwest Adventure Tours From
- US$5,199
California's Great National Parks (USA National Park Non Resident Fees)
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers
Duration 8 days Destinations Las Vegas, Death Valley National Park, Mammoth Lakes, Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Sierra Nevada, Sequoia National Park, Los Angeles Age Range All Ages Welcome Physical Rating Easy Distance 1002 mi Operator Trafalgar From
- US$4,095+$72 upfront costs
The diverse terrains from Tuolumne Meadows lead to Lembert Dome's summit. Mount Hoffman presents a challenging climb with panoramic views of Yosemite Valley. Fern-laden trails near El Capitan offer prime waterfall viewing spots with expert guidance.
Duration 3 days Destinations San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Tuolumne Age Range All Ages Welcome Physical Rating Moderate Distance 323 mi Operator Incredible Adventures From
- US$1,029
A 31-mile wilderness route features 1,200+ feet daily elevation gains. The path crosses 11,000-foot Donahue Pass and Lyell Canyon with light packs. Mules support the High Sierra journey.
Duration 4 days Destinations Agnew Meadows, Ansel Adams Wilderness, Yosemite National Park, Fresno Age Range Ages 12+ Physical Rating Moderate Distance 97 mi Operator Wildland Trekking From
- US$2,915
The Ansel Adams Wilderness offers 6-mile daily routes through Sierra Nevada's dramatic landscape. Professional guides lead both established and social paths, including attempts at 10,000-foot peaks along Yosemite's border.
Duration 5 days Destinations Fresno, Bass Lake, Ansel Adams Wilderness Age Range Ages 12+ Physical Rating Moderate Distance 135 mi Operator Wildland Trekking From
- US$1,725
The 28-mile Sierra Nevada route features Half Dome's legendary cables. Starting at Cathedral Lakes, the path winds through high-country meadows to Clouds Rest at 9,926 feet, descending past thundering Nevada and Vernal Falls.
Duration 5 days Destinations Yosemite National Park Age Range Ages 12+ Physical Rating Heart-pumping Operator Wildland Trekking From
- US$2,115
What people love about Hiking & Trekking Tours in California
Great experience. This may have been our guide's (Sassy) first official trip, but she did a great job. We all got along very well and Sassy handled some adversity with aplomb. Parts of the park at Lassen were inaccessible, but we managed to do and see a lot. One of our guests tested positive for Covid but we found creative and safe ways to make it all work. Meals were very good. I have booked another trip with Wildland.
Best of Lassen Volcanic Basecamp
- Yosemite Escape Camping - 3 Days
We had a great time!! We were able to go all over the park and see so many beautiful sites-hiking trails
Best way to see all the amazing scenery without the hassle of all that driving
Yosemite & Tahoe Sierras - 4 Days
What our customers ask about Hiking & Trekking Tours & Trips in California
What is the best time of year for hiking in California's national parks?
Each California national park has distinct optimal hiking seasons. Yosemite Valley welcomes hikers from May through September with clear trails and predictable weather patterns. Death Valley's trails are most accessible from October through April when daytime temperatures become manageable. For Sequoia and Kings Canyon the sweet spot falls between June and September. The High Sierra Trail sees peak conditions during July and August. A TourRadar traveler noted from their Yosemite experience: "The hiking in September was perfect - not too hot and the waterfalls were still flowing beautifully."
What are the most scenic hiking trails in California's national parks?
The national parks of California feature trails for every type of hiker. Yosemite's Mist Trail leads adventurers past the rushing waters of Vernal and Nevada Falls. In Sequoia National Park the High Sierra Trail opens up to wide views of the Great Western Divide. Death Valley presents the Golden Canyon and Gower Gulch loop with its stark desert landscape and rock formations. The Cathedral Range section of the John Muir Trail stands out for its alpine environment. A TourRadar reviewer shared: "Yosemite National Park is breathtaking. Many times I did not know which direction to look since there was so much natural beauty."
What fitness level is required for California hiking tours?
The physical demands vary across California's hiking tours. Most routes cover 4-12 miles daily with elevation changes between 500-3000 feet. More challenging options like the Yosemite Falls and North Dome Traverse push hikers with climbs up to 3118 feet in one day. Death Valley offers gentler alternatives while the Ansel Adams Wilderness hits a middle ground with 6-mile daily treks. According to a TourRadar traveler review: "The Mist trail hike is listed as strenuous which it is to the extreme. Make sure you're prepared for serious elevation gains."
What accommodation options are available on multi-day California hiking tours?
Sleeping arrangements on California hiking tours range from traditional hotels to wilderness campsites. Hotel-based programs like the California Parks Highlights put guests in properties such as the Wyndham Garden Fresno. Backcountry adventures provide camping equipment for single or shared tent setups. Some unique options exist like the High Sierra Loop tour's stays at Vogelsang High Sierra Camp. As noted by a TourRadar traveler: "The choice of lodging at Tuolumne Meadows Lodge provided a perfect base for exploring Yosemite's high country."
How many miles of hiking can I expect per day on California tours?
Daily distances on California hiking tours typically span 4-9 miles. The Yosemite Alpine Meadows tour sets a steady pace at 6.5 miles per day. More intensive routes like the Thousand Island Lakes trek stretch to 9 miles with 2500 feet of climbing. A TourRadar traveler mentioned "manageable daily distances of 5-7 miles allowed plenty of time for photos and rest stops in Sequoia National Park."
What meals are provided on California hiking tours?
Food service varies by tour but most multi-day trips cover all daily meals. The Yosemite Escape tour includes 2 breakfasts 2 lunches and 1 dinner with guides handling meal preparation at camp. A TourRadar traveler praised "excellent trail lunches and hearty dinners prepared by our guide at the Thousand Island Lakes campsite."