Personalized Private Yosemite Hiking Tours

Yosemite is famous for its iconic vistas of towering granite domes, massive waterfalls plunging thousands of feet off granite cliffs, colossal 3,000-year-old giant sequoia trees, and peaceful high-elevation lakes. It can be overwhelming to decide where to hike. Allow us to customize your private guided hike based on your interests.

Experience the best of Yosemite National Park with an awe-inspiring customized interpretive guided hike with our expert local guides. You will be overwhelmed by the pristine beauty of Yosemite as you learn about its flora, fauna, and history. 

We offer customized private hikes from family-friendly to strenuous treks. Below are some of our most popular Yosemite guided hikes. Call 559-676-8842 if you have questions about our offerings or want to book a personalized guided hike. You can also email us at ContactUs@pedalforwardbikes.com


Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias:

Mariposa Grove is the largest grove of giant redwoods in Yosemite National Park and contains 490 Giant Sequoias. These magnificent and colossal trees are about 3,000 years old and approximately 290 ft (88 Meters) tall! Giant Sequoias are the largest trees on the planet and only grow on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada in California.

Our guide will lead you on an awe-inspiring 5 1/2 mile interpretive hike full of fascinating facts about this ancient forest’s flora, fauna, and history. The hiking time is approximately 3 1/2 hours long on a well-maintained dirt trail. The 3 1/2 hours do not include travel time to the grove or time spent riding the shuttle to the trailhead.

During the hike, you will see the fallen Monarch, Bachelor & Three Graces, The 3,000-year-old Grizzly Giant, Faithful Couple, California Tunnel Tree, Clothespin Tree, Mariposa Grove Cabin, Columbia Tree, and much more.

Season: Mid-April through November based on snow conditions.

Difficulty: Family Friendly – Easy to moderate depending on how much of grove you want to see.


Chilnualna Lower & Upper Falls: 

If you like to be up close and personal with raging waterfalls and are up for a challenging and rewarding hike with a 2,200 ft elevation gain, then the 8.4-mile round trip hike to the upper Chilualna falls is a fantastic option. You should anticipate the total hike to last at least 4.5 hours. During the experience, our guide will lead you on an exhilarating interpretive trek full of fun facts about the geology, flora, fauna, historical facts, and lore of the area we will be exploring. 

For a shorter and less challenging tour, we can combine the lower Chilnualna Falls hike with an impressive stroll through the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias to the Grizzly Giant. The Chilnualna Lower falls hike is a quick and exciting 1-mile round trip excursion. Another option is to add the nearby Wawona Meadow Loop hike offering peaceful meadow views on a flat, maintained pathway. 

Season: As early as mid-March to late May, depending on the winter snowpack.

Difficulty: Family -Friendly/Easy for the lower falls only. Strenuous for the combined upper and lower falls hike.


Pothole Dome:

Pothole Dome is an easy, beautiful, and relatively short 2.5-mile hike offering remarkable variety. It is located near many iconic meadow landmarks at the westernmost edges of Tuolumne Meadows. 

This hike will take you to the top of a granite dome with stunning views across Tuolumne Meadows and then down the other side. After trekking down the dome, our guide will lead you on a trail that traverses a series of cascades of the Tuolumne River. You will then enjoy a stroll that runs parallel to the river. This hike is family-friendly and avoids other heavily trafficked hikes.    

You can combine this short hike with the following hikes to extend the hiking time. Lyell Canyon, and Tenaya Lake Panoramic Trail.

Season: Late May to late October

Difficulty: Family Friendly – Easy


Tenaya Lake Panoramic Trail:

Tenaya Lake is known as the “Gem of the Sierra lakes,” the incredible view of the lake from an elevated trail is superb and sure to be etched in your memory for years to come. 

This 2.5-mile (1.5 to 1.75 hours) round trip hike starts on a hard packed improved trail leading to boardwalks, bridges, and eventually a gently rolling and elevated shoreline trail with few obstacles. In addition to the beautiful lake, you will be surrounded by views of multiple magnificent granite domes as pictured above.  

If you would like a longer hike, we can add the May Lake hike, extending the tour to 3 to 4 hours.  

Hiking Season: Late May to late October

Difficulty: Family Friendly – Easy


May Lake & Hoffmann Meadow

Our May Lake hike is both scenic and inspiring! On this family-friendly 2.5-mile (1.5-hour) out-and-back hike, you will see unusual rock formations, enjoy views of Yosemite Valley, and find peace in the serenity of beautiful May Lake with its striking granite cliff backdrop. We combine the Hoffman Meadow hike with the 3-mile (2.5-hour) trek to round out the experience.   

Hiking Season: Mid-May to late-October

Difficulty: Family-Friendly – Easy to Moderate. This hike has a peak elevation of 9,270 ft; therefore, you will feel the elevation in your breathing.


Sentinel Dome & Taft Point Loop

On this dazzling hike, after a quick scramble to the top of Sentinel Dome, you will be rewarded with a spectacular 360-degree view of Yosemite National Park. From Sentinel Dome, our guide will take an interpretive hike to the stunning Yosemite Valley Views from Taft Point. Taft point has unique geological features such as fissures (fractures in the granite) and a heart-pounding lookout point on the cliff’s edge. This once-in-a-lifetime 4.9-mile (3 -4 hour) hike will leave you spellbound and ready for a good night’s rest.

We can extend this excursion by stopping at the world-famous Glacier Point before the beginning of the Sentinel Dome Taft Point loop hike.

Hiking Season: Mid-May to late October

Difficulty: Moderate 4.9 miles with an elevation gain of 1,000 ft.


Personalized Guided Hike Pricing

All of our hikes are private hikes. You will only be hiking with our expert local guide and people you know!

  • 1 Person = $200
  • 2 People = $300
  • 3 People = $400
  • 4 People = $450
  • 5 People = $500
  • 6 People = $550
  • 7 + add $50 person
  • Note: Prices do not include guide gratuities. Gratuities are greatly appreciated by our guides for a job well done!

FAQs

How much do the custom tours cost?
  • 1 Person = $200
  • 2 People = $300
  • 3 People = $400
  • 4 People = $450
  • 5 People = $500
  • 6 People = $550
  • 7 + add $50 per person
  • Note: Prices do not include guide gratuities. Gratuities are greatly appreciated by our guides for a job well done!
What’s Included?
  • Your Pedal Forward Guide: Our local guide is an expert on the flora, fauna, and history of Yosemite National Park. Our guide will ensure you have a safe and memorable experience.
  • 5% mandatory National Park Service fee that passes through directly to Yosemite National Park
  • Our commitment to excellence!
What time and where do we meet our guide?

If you want to meet us at our location in Oakhurst, CA., we recommend meeting at 7:00 AM at Pedal Forward Bikes & Adventure. Meeting at 7:00 AM will reduce the chance of being stuck in traffic at the south entrance to Yosemite National park. We can also meet you in Yosemite Valley at the designated trailhead.

What should we bring on the hike?
  • Lunch & Snacks
  • Bug Spray
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Water: 2-3 liters per person
  • Comfortable hiking books or running/hiking shoes with good grip.
Does the guided hike include the Yosemite park entrance fee?

No, you will pay the entrance fee at the gate unless you already have a multi-day pass or an America The Beautiful Annual Pass. can purchase a park pass at the entrance gate or online. America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Passes do cover park entrance fees

What are the park fees?

Yosemite National Park charges an entrance fee. You can purchase a pass ahead of time or at an entrance gate. You may purchase a 7-day or annual pass, valid only for Yosemite. If you already hold one of the accepted entrance passes, you do not need to buy any of the passes listed below. If you are visiting other federal recreation areas, consider purchasing an Interagency Pass (Annual, Senior, Access, Military, etc.) when you arrive at the park. 

  • $35: Private Vehicle Pass – 7 days
  • $30: Motorcycle Pass – 7 days
  • $70: Yosemite Annual Pass – 12 months 

For more information on fees, passes, and the park: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/fees.htm

To purchase a pass online or for more information, visit https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74296.

NOTE: Yosemite National Park pass prices are subject to change.

What are the current weather conditions?

Weather can change rapidly in Yosemite Nationa Park. Be sure to check the weather conditions in the area we will be hiking. It is essential to dress appropriately for your comfort. Weather Forecast

What is your cancellation policy?

Full refund for reservations canceled at least 72 hours before scheduled hikes. We do not offer refunds for cancellation within 72 hours of scheduled hikes.

Do I have to pay in full at the time of booking?

Yes, we collect full payment at the time of booking.

Do I drive my car, or do you drive us to the trailhead?

Most customers prefer to drive their vehicle and follow our guide into the park to the trailhead. Driving yourself allows you to continue enjoying Yosemite after the guided hike. However, depending on the number of guests, you can ride with our guide to the trailhead.

Meet Our Guide

Victor Caldwell

Victor Caldwell started hiking at the age of 25 in the 1980s with the Sierra Club. This experience brought about an insatiable curiosity to examine and learn about all that mother nature offers. “I have an intense love for the Sierra Nevada Mountain Ranges, which I believe is the most beautiful and unique of all the mountains on mother earth!” Vic donates his time as a Hiking Docent with Sierra Foothills Conservancy and Vipassana Meditation Center in his hometown of North Fork. He also enjoys kayaking, photography, motorcycling, cycling, and (haha) more hiking.
“I truly believe life is an adventure and is all about continually moving forward!”