Hiking & Trekking Tours & Trips in California
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10 best hiking & trekking California tours
Compiled by
MelissaCalifornia travel expert at TourRadar
- Death Valley Basecamp Tour
- Death Valley Inn Based Tour
- Yosemite Hiking & Camping - 3 days
- California National Park Circle: Sand to Snow, Joshua Tree, Death Valley and Yosemite
- Valley of Fire and Death Valley
- Best of Lassen Volcanic Basecamp
- Best of Death Valley and Joshua Tree
- Telescope Peak Adventure
- Best of Yosemite Tour
- Yosemite Valley Basecamp Tour
Death Valley Basecamp Tour
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“I enjoy the environment and the time that I spend with her and the group, thanks Jennie, i would like to go another trip with her in the future.”
Dian, traveled in March
Death Valley's diverse landscape offers 4-9 mile daily hikes. The route includes 9,000-foot Wildrose Peak, Golden Canyon's Badlands, and Darwin Falls waterfall. Small groups traverse pristine wilderness with full camping support.
Duration 4 days Destinations Las Vegas, Death Valley National Park Age Range Ages 12+ Distance 219 mi Operator Wildland Trekking From
- NZ$3,298
Death Valley Inn Based Tour
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I will be a repeat hiker with WLT! The supremely helpful guide made this an excellent experience.”
Dan, traveled in March
Death Valley unfolds across 4-9 daily miles of varied terrain. Routes include 9,000-foot Wildrose Peak, Golden Canyon's Badlands, and Darwin Falls' oasis. Guided paths climb up to 2,000 feet.
Duration 4 days Destinations Las Vegas, Death Valley National Park Age Range Ages 12+ Distance 219 mi Operator Wildland Trekking From
- NZ$5,412
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
- NZ$1,635
Duration 6 days Destinations Los Angeles, Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley National Park, Yosemite National Park, San Francisco Age Range Ages 12+ Distance 657 mi Operator WeVenture From
- NZ$8,033
Golden Canyon's 3-mile trail reaches Zabriskie Point's painted badlands, climbing 1,000 feet. Ubehebe Crater's 1.5-mile rim and Badwater Basin's salt flats showcase Death Valley's dramatic landscapes through hiking and cycling.
Duration 6 days Destinations Las Vegas, Death Valley National Park Age Range Ages 21+ Physical Rating Moderate Distance 219 mi Operator Bicycle Adventures From
- NZ$6,454
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
- NZ$4,127
The diverse desert terrain from Wildrose Peak to Lost Palms Oasis beckons adventurers. Daily hikes span 4-10 miles with up to 2,000 feet elevation gain, featuring Golden Canyon Badlands and Joshua Tree's famous granite formations.
Duration 6 days Destinations Las Vegas, Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park Age Range Ages 12+ Distance 465 mi Operator Wildland Trekking From
- NZ$7,069
The rugged Panamint Mountains await on this 4-day adventure, ascending 10,000 feet from Death Valley's floor to Telescope Peak summit. Navigate steep switchbacks at Wildrose Peak, passing historic 25-foot masonry kilns, and camp beneath pinon-juniper forests. The challenging route includes an overnight backcountry camp between Banner and Telescope Peaks.
Duration 4 days Destinations Las Vegas, Death Valley National Park Age Range Ages 12+ Physical Rating Heart-pumping Distance 219 mi Operator Wildland Trekking From
- NZ$2,621
A 28-mile adventure spans 5 days, featuring the demanding Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls. The path includes a steep ascent to Gaylor Lakes Basin, Mount Hoffmann's summit, and Pohono Trail's viewpoints before reaching Mariposa Grove's ancient sequoias.
Duration 5 days Destinations Yosemite National Park, Tuolumne Age Range Ages 12+ Distance 87 mi Operator Wildland Trekking From
- NZ$6,181
California's finest paths include 7.5 miles to Vernal Falls, 5.8-mile Upper Yosemite Falls climb, and 6.3 miles through Mariposa Grove. Upper Pines camping beneath Half Dome features daily adventures to iconic viewpoints.
Duration 4 days Destinations Yosemite National Park Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Wildland Trekking From
- NZ$3,509
What people love about Hiking & Trekking Tours in California
- Death Valley Basecamp Tour
Our tour guide Jennie did a great job. she took care of me very well. She is so knowledge about the area and her cooking was fantastic. I enjoy the environment and the time that I spend with her and the group, thanks Jennie, i would like to go another trip with her in the future/
This was a great trip. I thoroughly enjoyed the scenic views. Our tour guide Rourke, was very knowledgeable and accommodating. This was a hiking trip and in my opinion if you didn’t want to hike, you could do a nature walk. That was the best option for me because the hikes were a little too strenuous for me but I purchased a tripod just for this trip. All the beautiful photos I have of the walks through Yosemite are my memories for a lifetime. The camping grounds were stellar. Waking up to a delicious breakfast and beautiful scenery, I was blessed to have done this tour.
Yosemite Escape Camping - 3 Days
- Hiking Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite
Great itinerary and guide.
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."