Guided Half Dome Trips
in Yosemite National Park
Day Hike & Backpacking
Three routes to the summit.
Backpacking or day hikes.
Permits secured.
Small groups.
Professional hiking & backpacking guides who know Yosemite.
Leave the Lottery to Us!
The Half Dome permit lottery has roughly a 25% success rate for preseason applications. We currently hold our permits for the entire 2026 season dates advertised.
If you've been waiting for the right year to do this trip, this is it and 2027 dates are open for advance pre-booking.
You Don’t Need to Win the Lottery.
We offer four guided Half Dome approaches.
One day hike route and three backpacking routes. Each one summits the same peak from a different starting point, with different scenery, different mileage, and a different feel. The right one depends on your fitness, your timeline, and what you want to see along the way.
Choose Your Trip
Itineraries We Offer
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From Yosemite Valley
3 Days / 2 Nights
17 Miles | Most Direct Route
The classic. Start at Happy Isles, climb the Mist Trail past Vernal and Nevada Falls, camp in Little Yosemite Valley, summit Half Dome on day two. The shortest and most iconic approach — and the most strenuous, with the steepest gain on day one.
Best for: Hikers who want the classic Half Dome experience and don't mind a tough first day.
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From Glacier Point
3 Days / 2 Nights
22 Miles | Scenic, Gentler Grade
Start high. Glacier Point sits at 7,200 feet — you skip the brutal Valley climb and walk in along the Panorama Trail, with Nevada Falls, Illilouette Valley, and Half Dome in view for most of day one. More miles overall, but spread across an easier grade.
Best for: Hikers who want better views per mile and prefer a gentler start.
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Clouds Rest + Half Dome from Tioga
3 Days / 2 Nights
26 Miles | Two Summits, One Trip
Start at Tenaya Lake on Tioga Road. Summit Clouds Rest on day two (9,926 feet with the most expansive view in Yosemite), then continue down to Sunrise Creek and on to Half Dome. A thru-hike that ends in Yosemite Valley. The most miles, the highest elevation, and the most you'll see.
Best for: Stronger hikers who want two bucket-list summits and a full backcountry experience.
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Half Dome in a Day
1 Day
16 Miles | No Camping
The fastest way to the summit. Start before sunrise from Happy Isles, climb the Mist Trail, ascend the cables, and return to the Valley by evening. 16 miles and roughly 5,000 feet of elevation gain in a single day. The most physically demanding option of the four but no overnight gear, no backpack skills, no camping required.
Best for: Very fit hikers who have one day in the park or prefer not to camp.
What’s Included
Half Dome & Wilderness Permits
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Professional Backpacking Guide, Wilderness First Responder Certified
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Backpacking Trips: Filtered Water, Dinners and Breakfasts
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Group Gear: Tents, Mattress Pad, Stove, Bear Can, Trekking Poles, Water Filtration
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5% of Every Trip Donated Back to Yosemite National Park
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Why Choose Alpinistas Adventures?
🌲 Authentic Yosemite Experience – We run tours all season in Yosemite from deep wilderness to Yosemite Valley sights.
🚨 NPS-Authorized - Alpinistas Adventures is Commercially Authorized by the NPS to lead hiking and backpacking trips in Yosemite National Park
🏔 Local, Expert Guides – Passionate outdoor professionals with deep knowledge of the area with Wilderness First Responder Certification.
⏳ Flexible Scheduling – Private and small group tours tailored to your experience level.
🎒 Hassle-Free Booking – We provide everything you need for an unforgettable experience.
Still wondering if this is the right trip for you? Have any other questions before making the decision?
Schedule a free 1:1 call with one of our trip leaders. No hassle, pressure-free, straight guidance on any questions you have about our trips.
Your Questions, Answered
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For the Valley and Glacier Point routes, no — but you need to be fit enough to hike 6–7 miles a day carrying a 30–40 lb pack. For the Clouds Rest route, prior overnight backpacking experience is recommended. We send a training plan when you book and check in with you in the weeks leading up to the trip.
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The Half Dome cables are a fixed installation maintained by the National Park Service from late May through mid-October. They allow hikers to ascend the final 400 feet of granite to the summit.
Your guide walks you through the technique before you start. If conditions are unsafe — rain, lightning, ice, high wind — we do not go up.
Summiting is not guaranteed.
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If you reach the base of the cables (Sub Dome) and decide not to ascend, that's your call and we respect it.
You wait there with the group, take in the view from one of the most spectacular spots in the park, and the rest of the group joins you on the way back down.
You still complete the trip.
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Yes — that's exactly who these trips are designed for. Our permits are secured for every date listed. You don't need to enter the lottery, and you don't need to win it.
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Our default trips are women-only.
We offer select co-ed dates each season, marked on each trip page.
Private custom trips are open to all.
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Most 2026 dates fill 4–6 months out but you may book anytime.
2027 advance booking is opening soon.
Half Dome trips fill earlier than other trips in our schedule because the permit scarcity is real.
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You should be able to hike 6 miles in a day carrying a 30+ lb pack without significant rest.
If you're not there yet, book a trip 2–4 months out and follow the training plan we suggest. We can also pair you with our Backpack Longer, Backpack Stronger Program for a structured training 4 week training plan.
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We strongly recommend travel insurance to protect against your investment.
Want to take the load off your back?
Porter service is available for selected itineraries.
Porters will carry up to 30 lbs into and out of camp.
Upgrade at checkout and select Porter to add to your reservation.
“Dear women adventurers of all skill levels, you need to take a trip with Alpinistas! I just returned from the Cold Weather Skills workshop in Yosemite and I've learned more in three days than I have in all my years of hiking and camping. It's so rare to find guiding experiences that are fun, connect you with likeminded folks, AND equip you with a ton of new skills.”
— Ashley
“I had the absolute best experience on a rock climbing trip with Joanne! Every part of the weekend was fantastic - the camping experience was wonderful, the guides were knowledgeable and kept everyone safe, and the climbing was so much fun! I'm looking forward to future trips with Alpinistas, and love the work they are doing in making outdoor education more accessible to women!”
- Rebecca
What People Are Saying about Alpinistas
“The women I met that weekend were so amazing for their love of the outdoors, their curiosity, and their tenacious spirits. I learned so much from our skilled guides who made us feel safe to ask any and all questions regardless of how silly they might be. Thank you Alpinistas for a truly amazing weekend! I can’t wait for the next adventure 🏕️”
— Katarina
“I joined a Cold Weather course and winter camping weekend with them in Yosemite and absolutely love it! The guides are passionate about what they are teaching us, they are so supportive, and the event was organized so well.”
- Ashley-Marie
