Beginner’s guide to exploring Yosemite National Park

With its rugged landscape and unrivalled views, Yosemite National Park is an indisputable world icon, particularly among nature lovers. But with so much to see across this 3000-square-kilometre Californian park, just where do you start? Here are all the basics you need to know, from what to do, how to get there and where to rest your head at night. By Georgie Meredith

Where to hike

EASY

Yosemite Valley Loop
If you’d rather amble than hike, this 18-kilometre loop trail gently winds around the valley floor, underneath Yosemite’s mammoth granite cliffs.

The loop takes a full day to complete but there’s an option to stop at any point and take a bus back to your base camp.

Make sure you take a break below the towering El Captain – a sheer-faced monolith that casts cool shadows over Merced River.

MEDIUM

Panorama Trail

The 13.5-kilometre Panorama Trail begins at the magnificent Glacier Point – a lookout (accessible by bus), with panoramic views over the park.

Take in your surroundings here before heading downhill through a vast gorge filled with sequoia trees and crashing waterfalls.

Have lunch at Nevada Falls – a beautiful rock ledge that overlooks the iconic Half Dome (more on this later) – before continuing down a rocky path that finishes at Happy Isles Nature Centre.

If you’re feeling fit, start your hike with the Four Mile Trail beforehand, beginning at the Yosemite Village centre.

It will test quad strength and lung capacity, but the magical views are worth the sweat. Then continue onto the Panorama Trail for the most remarkable views of Yosemite in a day.

DIFFICULT

The Half Dome

Yosemite’s pride and joy, the Half Dome is both the most recognisable landmark and the most dangerous hike in the park.

The view from its peak is unsurpassed, however it’s only accessible by scaling it (picks, ropes, helmets and all).

Climbing over 1220 metres high, this hike is not for the faint hearted. So unless you’re a skilled rock-climber, the Panorama trail (above) is your best bet for the breathtaking views.

What ELSE to do (other than hike)

Horseback riding

Saddle up for an afternoon and explore the raw wilderness of Yosemite on horseback.

You can do two-hour or full day treks from one of the three stables within the park boundaries. Ride over the pebbled creeks and shrubbery along the Valley Loop trail, passing through blossoming open meadows along the way.

No experience with horses is necessary, however riders must be aged seven years and above.

yosemitepark.com

Golf

Yosemite’s Wawona Golf Course is quite possibly the world’s most beautifully located, with its lush greens blending flawlessly into the natural surroundings.

You can enjoy nine holes and a lunch for $25 as a part of the club’s ‘Nine and Dine’ offer.

yosemitepark.com/golf

Ansel Adams Gallery

If you need of a break from the great outdoors, spend an afternoon inside at the Ansel Adams Gallery.

Lining the walls are haunting, black-and-white images of the valley, taken by Adams himself.

There are also a number of other exhibitions that rotate monthly, featuring paintings and photographs inspired by California’s wilderness and landscapes.

anseladams.com

Ultimate lunch spots

Swinging Bridge

Situated on river bank resembling an inland beach just outside the village centre, Swinging Bridge is a heavenly picnic spot.

It’s a delightful place to cool off in the river after a long hike, or take nap under a feathery cedar tree.

Tenaya Lake

Clear blue skies are mirrored in the still water of Tenaya Lake, surrounded by a sandy shoreline, pine forest and granite rock.

You’ll find it just before the entrance of Tuolumne Meadows – a short drive from the centre of the valley.

How to get around

Car hire

Hiring a car before making your journey to Yosemite is the easiest way of getting in and around the park.

Be sure to pay a bit extra for a sturdy vehicle and skip the little city-driving option.

Shuttle bus

There’s a free hybrid shuttle bus service that runs throughout the park, and it’s an easy way of getting from A to B.

But be aware though that it is so slow, so come prepared with a book or iPod for the journey.

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Bikes

Rent a bike and spend a day cycling along paths of wildflowers and sequoia trees.

It’s a cheap and fun way to get around the valley floor.

Where to stay

BUDGET

Camp 4

Popular with rock-climbers and thrill seekers alike, Camp 4 is located at the bottom of Yosemite Falls and reservations are made on a first-come-first-serve basis.

A stunning camping spot thick with pine trees and enclosed by huge boulders, it’s worth the early morning wake up call to get in line for a spot.

nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/camp4.htm

BOUTIQUE

Tuolumne Meadows Lodge

Situated amongst a Disney-esque setting of open meadows, a natural spring and wild elk roaming between lofty trees, Tuolumne Meadows Lodge is a firm glamping favourite.

Stay in one of the charming canvas cabins, complete with a wood-burning stove and old-school lantern for light.

While many stay at Curry Village for its central location, Tuolumne Meadows is only slightly further afield and half the price (plus less crowds).

nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tmcamp.htm

LUXURY

Yosemite Majestic Hotel (formerly the Ahwahnee)

If camping isn’t your thing (no judgement here), the iconic hotel most famously known as the Ahwahnee and renamed in 2013 as the Yosemite Majestic Hotel is the place for you.

Stone fireplaces and stained-glass windows add to the hotel’s rustic décor, with guest rooms exuding elegance and cosiness.

The dining hall is especially impressive and serves the best food in the park – why eat tinned tuna when you could have grilled pacific swordfish or crispy duck confit

travelyosemite.com/lodging/the-majestic-yosemite-hotel/

Tip:

If you’re travelling to Yosemite during the Northern American summer, be sure to book in advance!

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.