Hiking in Yosemite and King's Canyon

Welcome to San Francisco! Your tour starts at 12 noon with a group meeting followed by your first walk of the trip, an easy hike along the Marin Headlands Trail. Have your camera handy as you enjoy superb views of dramatic cliffs, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Pacific Ocean and the wild and rocky California coast which stretches almost 50 kilometres into the distance. After the hike, return to your San Francisco hotel where you’ll have time to freshen up and perhaps join your group for dinner (optional) at a local restaurant.

After breakfast, head to famous Yosemite National Park, with a lunch stop along the way at the historic Iron Door Saloon, the oldest continuously operating saloon in California, dating back to the mid-1800s. Be sure to check out the saloon’s old photos of the Hetch Hetchy Valley and collection of antique gold mining tools. Look around closely and you might even spot a few stray bullet holes in the walls. In the afternoon, your group will take a guided walk with an expert guide from Yosemite Conservancy and learn about the important work the group does for the Native American community and preserving their culture within the park. As you walk from the historic Ahwahnee Hotel through the meadows of Yosemite Valley and past the ruins of an old pioneer village, you’ll hear Native American stories and history, and learn about Yosemite’s role in the country’s conservationist movement. Your guided walk will end at the Yosemite Valley Lodge, where your leader will be waiting to transport you back to your accommodation at Yosemite Bug, a cosy and charming mountain lodge that features a garden deck and views over the gorge. Settle into your home for the next couple of days and soak up the rustic atmosphere.

Millions of visitors come here each year to see Yosemite’s granite cliffs, pine-studded valleys and thundering waterfalls such as Nevada Fall on The Mist Trail which you’ll be visiting today. After a short one hour drive from your accommodation, you'll reach the start of The Mist Trail. This is Yosemite's signature hike with stunning views along the entire trail and spectacular falls which bathe your face in a cooling mist (be sure to pack your rain gear as the falls are close to the trail and you will get sprayed). You’ll also get to see Yosemite’s iconic Half Dome rock formation. It's a favourite with experienced climbers like Alex Honnold, star of the 2017 documentary Free Solo, who holds the record for the fastest ascent of the Half Dome’s Regular Northwest Face route – the first Grade IV climb in the USA. In the evening, take it easy at Yosemite Bug or head outside to gaze at the stars. If the weather is good, you can join your group around a roaring campfire stoked by your guide.

Drive over to Kings Canyon and go for a hike along the Congress Trail which begins near the General Sherman tree. Named after a craggy-faced US Civil War general, the General Sherman is the largest tree on earth, with its roots firmly planted in California’s Sequoia National Park. The giant sequoia – also known as a redwood – is just over 80 metres tall, with a diameter of 7.7 metres. It’s estimated the tree is around 3,200 years old. This tree isn't the only reason to visit the national park though; wander beneath groves of towering giants, keep an eye out for marmots and deer, or contemplate the meaning of life in a sun-kissed meadow. This afternoon, take a tour around Visalia's Microbrewery District which combines the freshest hops in the state with a vibrant downtown area packed with beer entrepreneurs and connoisseurs. Enjoy a pint or two as you enjoy the charming hometown atmosphere with your group.

Today's walk is an easy trail with impressive sweeping views of King's Canyon and the Great Western Divide. Known as the Big Baldy Trailhead, this gently sloping trail looks out over high peaks and down to the foothills below. This afternoon, relax at your hotel which is conveniently located near the national park and has an indoor pool which can be enjoyed throughout the year.

Today we'll head back to San Francisco but there's time for one last short but sweet hike along the way. You'll need a good pair of shoes and plenty of water to tackle the walk known as the Big C. It's short and straight up with an incredible view from Tightwad Hill, a spot where local football fans come to watch the game without a ticket. We'll arrive back in San Francisco at approximately 5 pm when your tour will come to an end.