Explore the trails with Seward Wilderness Collective or Exit Glacier Guides. It descends about 3,000 feet in just a few miles, forming a stunning, natural ramp for mountaineers exiting the immense Harding Icefield. Its hard ice—fluted and crevassed—is close to a visitor center in the only portion of Kenai Fjords National Park that’s accessible by road. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until October. The Matanuska Glacier is located in the Matanuska-Susitna valley and is … Professional guides. How and where to find Alaska’s glac­i­ers — some of the state’s most beau­ti­ful nat­ur­al attractions. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. You’ll find good footing and interpretive signs, explaining how the plant life returns after the ice. One of the most visited glaciers in the world, Exit Glacier earned its name from grateful backcountry travelers. Whether you’re driving along on of Alaska’s Scenic Byways, on a cruise, flightseeing, or hiking, it’s easy to see Alaska’s glaciers. Juneau Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. Free personal GPS–driven travel guide to Alaska. With NOVA’s popular Glacier Hike, you’ll be outfitted with the necessary gear and transported by vehicle to … It may have been 1/2 mile before but the glacier … Glacier Hikes • Fly up to a remote alpine glacier and explore the surface of an ancient frozen river with one of our guides • This is the most affordable private helicopter glacier hike in Alaska, and it's … If you would like to compare where services are located, you can Add to My Alaska to compile a list and see all the points on the same map. Dogs are also able to use this trail. Hike This Short And Sweet Trail To The Most Stunning Glacier In Alaska We have many beautiful glaciers in Alaska, but not very many are easily accessible. A network of flat, well-maintained trails reach from the visitor center to the toe of the glacier. Matanuska Glacier Trail [PRIVATE PROPERTY] is a 1.6 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Sutton, Alaska that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. Overview. Rent a car and travel independently on a set itinerary, with lodging and tours booked in advance. This challenging day hike rewards you with an overlook of the 700-square-mile Harding Icefield, the source of 38 named glaciers, including Exit and the tidewater glaciers on the Kenai Fjords outer coast. Alaska’s glacier hiking and climbing adventures are designed for a variety of interest and experience levels. Want to see what Exit Glacier looks like as it falls off the Harding Ice Field—but don’t have the energy to hike the Exit Glacier Trail all the way up there? A fee grants visitors entry to the parking lot, and from there, it’s an easy 15-minute hike … If you want to experience a fun glacier hike, the Gulkana Glacier trail near Paxson, Alaska, will take you across a cool suspension bridge. Attend A Ranger-led Program Join a park ranger for a short walk, interpretive talk, or a day hike … West Glacier Trail is a 4 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Juneau, Alaska that features a lake and is rated as moderate. We couldn’t wait to go glacier hiking in Anchorage! The trail traverses fragile alpine areas, so please take care not to damage the vegetation via shortcuts. You can raft or kayak through a sea of ice to the face of a tidewater glacier, fly over mountain cirques, take an afternoon helicopter tour and land on a glacier or test your footing across icewater rivers along a glacial moraine. Bicycling These paths feature a vivid journey into natural history, where you’ll see how the vegetation has rebounded and flourished in response to the gradual melting and recession of the glacier. Day Tours from Anchorage or Girdwood Start your day in Anchorage … See photos, videos, trip ideas, suggestions from Alaskans and more. Head south from Anchorage on the Seward Highway about 120 miles to the outskirts of Seward. Watch the video above! Alaska’s glacier hiking and climbing adventures are designed for a variety of interest and experience levels. Ruth Glacier. There’s also a self-guided audio tour on The Alaska App, narrated by the Park Service’s chief interpretive ranger. Length 4 miElevation gain 567 ftRoute type Out & back. The Alaska Railroad is your transportation method. Recent years have seen substantial shrinkage at the toe, too, exposing more of the gravel outwash plain where Exit Creek roars from its snout. Hike on a glacier, touch an iceberg from a kayak, learn to ice climb or combine many of these activities on our overnight camping adventure. Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. SAVE $30 PER PERSON. You’ve likely seen those iconic glacier images, with hunks of ice … Kennicott / McCarthy Visitors can try kayaking near the mouth of a tidewater glacier, take a guided hike across a valley glacier, or drive to Southcentral Alaska… With just a 10-to-15-minute drive out of Seward, you can hike right up to the Kenai Fjords National Park's Exit Glacier and experience the dense, blue ice while listening to it crackle. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. The trail begins as a flat easy stroll through the trees, then climbs up a slope which gives a spectacular view of the valley below and the surround mountains. Portage Valley. There are some glaciers you can drive to, but very few that you can stroll to. You can raft or kayak through a sea of ice to the face of a tidewater glacier, fly over mountain cirques, take an afternoon helicopter tour and land on a glacier … For avid backpackers, the general area along the Exit Glacier Road has many places to explore and camp. The hike to Portage Glacier is my all time favorite hike and if you have time for only one glacier view near Anchorage, this is my top recommendation. Glaciers near Anchorage include a total of 60 within 50 miles of the city. Traverse the majesty of Exit Glacier by ice hiking or ice climbing, or opt for a nature hike in the gorgeous terrain around Seward, Alaska. ▼, Region: Exit Glacier, the only part of the park accessible by road, offers short trails, viewpoints, and a nature center. The setting has a primeval feel—scoured bedrock, craggy ice, rushing water, and a flourishing new forest with towering cottonwoods above jungled thickets. See Alaska's highlights by railroad or motorcoach in a group of up to 50, Travel in small groups, stay at exclusive wilderness lodges, and spend more time outdoors, All-inclusive multi-day vacation packages at a remote wilderness lodge, Travel with a professional photographer to the best photo locations around the state, Trips range from backpacking, rafting, to upscale remote lodge retreats, Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. There was a problem with your submission. The hike to College Glacier … It’s not every day you can take a hike along a 26-mile long advancing valley glacier. No special equipment is necessary for this trail from about June through early October, although a hiking stick and good hiking boots would provide extra support; bring extra layers, as it may be significantly colder at the icefield. Alaska Railroad: Adventure Class or Goldstar Dome Car Service? The hike itself was fairly easy and the trail is well marked. College Glacier is a relatively short, receding, and thinning glacier in the Eastern Alaska Range near the Richardson Highway. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. Walk the "Edge of the Glacier Trail" (also known as the Lower Trail) to get a good photo in front of glacier ice, it's not huge, but it looks big up close. Backcountry Expeditions The Gulkana Glacier area has much to offer, including day-hiking possibilities, backpacking or mountaineering expeditions, or just a roadside view of the glacier on the drive between … They will lead you on a guided hike on the Lower Trail or to Harding Icefield, all while providing information about how climate change has affected the landscape, wildlife, and people of Alaska. 7-10 days is the most common. Inside Passage 2-5 day small ship explorations. Exit Glacier Guides also offers trips onto the ice itself. From June through August you can catch a guided 3-mile (steep) hike to Marmot Meadows led by a ranger, departing at 9am daily. *Please accept our privacy policy I have read and agree to the terms and conditions in the privacy policy. If getting close isn’t enough, you can also join a guiding company for a glacier hike or ice climbing class. The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. learn technical ice-climbing skills during a multi-day climbing workshop or take an overnight camping trip on a slow-moving glacier. Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map, Seward & Kenai Fjords Sights & Attractions. Guided Camping & Hiking The hike is so enjoyable, you don't really notice how quickly you are approaching the glacier. Use our calculator to find out, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear, Guides to the best locations around the state to view wildlife. -- Choose Subcategory -- At about Mile 3 (and just before the bridge over the Resurrection River,) turn west on Herman Leirer Road, which almost everyone calls "Exit Glacier Road." For those who want to spend more time experiencing Alaska's glaciers and are feeling more adventurous you can you can take a one-day trip to an icefield, explore ice caves, learn technical ice-climbing skills during a multi-day climbing workshop or take an overnight camping trip on a slow-moving glacier. Drive 8.4 miles to parking for the nature center. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. Never ice climbed? When the Begich-Boggs Visitors Center was originally built, it was right at the foot … Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights, Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse!). © 2020 Alaska Travel Industry Association What makes this so great? The Matanuska Glacier Trail in Glacier View, Alaska is a gorgeous, easy hike in for those wanting to see and experience some of the most amazing features in Alaska. From the loop, the Glacier Overlook Trail extends another .6 mile and climbs part way up the exposed rock to an overlook of the glacier itself. It’s only about 2.5 miles long and is fed by two small accumulation areas. Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? By clicking OK and using this website, you are agreeing to our privacy policy regarding the use of cookies. The tours are about 2-3 hours long. Well, it starts in the quirky town … Markers have been placed showing retreating location of the glacier’s toe over the past 120 years. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The trail also provides access for people with disabilities. This glacier hike takes you across one of the longest suspension bridges in Alaska. Matanuska Glacier is a two-hour drive from Anchorage, and it’s the biggest glacier in Alaska that can be accessed via car. About an hour’s drive from Anchorage on the Seward Highway is Portage Valley and … Matanuska Glacier Tours. ▼, Community: All trips include instruction to get you started. There is a short interpretive talk at 12pm and ranger-led walks daily at 10am, 2pm and 4pm, from Memorial Day through Labor Day on the Lower Trail, as well as a longer guided hike to the Harding Icefield (gaining 3,500 ft in 4.1 miles) takes place at 9am on Saturdays in July and August. On all of our Alaska glacier hiking trips you’ll have the chance to see an amazing variety of glacial features such as crevasses, canyons, waterfalls, blue pools and moulins (holes drilled in the ice by meltwater). Take your itinerary with you using our My Alaska Trip feature and the TravelAlaska app. Southcentral Which one is right for you? Opened last year, Sheldon Chalet affords you an unrivaled glacial encounter – if you … Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. ▼. Hiking, Biking and Backcountry  »   Get your snow gear on and join us for an unforgettable hike over the Matanuska Glacier. Overwhelmed by choices? TravelAlaska.com is a registered mark of the State of Alaska. Not a problem. The trail affords several excellent views of the glacier … The end of the glacier … This trail is found along the Richardson Highway and can be combined with the Castner Glacier hike … Alaska glaciers are incredible to see, and incredibly easy to reach. Official State of Alaska Vacation and Travel Information. To hike all the trails, start by turning left at the nature center and following the accessible, Glacier View Loop Trail through the cottonwood forest to the Glacier View, a panoramic vista of Exit Glacier … Please check your email to verify your subscription. Travel on a set itinerary with lodging and tours booked in advance. 2. Our experienced guides will tell you all about … Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. … The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from June until October. Please try again. Glacier Hiking & Climbing We hiked to Exit Glacier with a group while staying in Seward. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. The hike starts on silt and ice, but as you get closer, the terrain turns to pure ice. Self-drive vacations. Check out the Resurrection River Trail at Mile 7 of Exit Glacier Road. Watch our 23-second clip as we fly from the ice field down the glacier all the way to the gravel river bar at 600 mph. Stops include Seward (Kenai Fjords), Girdwood, Whittier & Spencer Glacier, Stops include Wasilla, Talkeetna, Denali National Park & Fairbanks. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. This website uses cookies to analyze traffic and customize content on this site. Access to the College Glacier begins at the same location as the Gulkana Glacier Hike. Park Service programs. Traverse the majesty of Exit Glacier by ice hiking or ice climbing, or opt for a nature hike in the gorgeous terrain around Seward, Alaska. Things To Do  »   We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. Monthly travel tips, highlights and savings! The glacier is located on BLM land (Bureau of Land Management). Request your free official State of Alaska vacation planner. During the guided tour, you can walk on the glacier. Another popular attraction is Matanuska Glacier. Matanuska Glacier Adventures offers daily winter tours, winter activities, and winter glacier access to Alaska's largest glacier … You will walk from the lodge out to the terminus of the Matanuska Glacier. Portage Glacier. EXPLORE THE SCENIC DENALI HIGHWAY IN A 4 DOOR JEEP WRANGLER! For physically fit hikers, a strenuous four-mile trail parallels the glacier’s north edge on a 3,000-foot ascent to the ice field, offering spectacular views of the glacier and surrounding mountains along the way. Prince William Sound: Day Cruise. Alaska has many accessible glaciers across the state that allow visitors to experience a frozen wonderland in the height of summer, and professionally guided glacier tours let you have safe, firsthand encounters with Alaska’s magnificent glaciers. The glacier begins to rise and … Highlights plus less visited destinations. It’s the largest glacier in Alaska and measures 13,000 feet high and 27 miles long. The Matanuska Glacier. A good start would be take the wheelchair accessible Glacier View Loop (one mile total) to a view spot overlooking the outwash plain with a sweeping panorama of the glacier’s descent. If you go to the BLM link for Castner Glacier, they say it’s only a 1/2 mile hike to the glacier – this is not correct. Make a plan for Wow. Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. Car, train, or group tour. The sheer ice walls, deep blue holes (called moulins) and creaking ice make it an unforgettable experience. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. 120 years and 27 miles long the College glacier … we couldn’t wait to go glacier hiking in …. Along a 26-mile long advancing valley glacier technical ice-climbing skills during a climbing. Vegetation via shortcuts day tours from Anchorage, and incredibly easy to reach ice, as. With disabilities day you can also Join a guiding company for a variety of interest and levels... Get closer, the general area along the Exit glacier Road has many places to explore and camp, by. Most beau­ti­ful nat­ur­al attractions the Alaska app, glacier hike alaska by the Park Service ’ s interpretive! Network of flat, well-maintained trails reach from the lodge out to the outskirts of.. Activity guide + map while in Alaska sign-up for any of the.... 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