Looking for the best hikes in Alaska? We’re sharing 24 hikes in Alaska, which have epic mountain views, glaciers, gorgeous lakes, and more!
We have been lucky enough to hike some epic trails all across North America. We’ve backpacked in the desert, wandered underneath giant Redwoods, strolled along rugged coastlines, and climbed daunting peaks. But the hiking we experienced in Alaska was hands down the best of our lives!
During our 2.5 months living in Alaska, we hiked over 20 trails. And every single one blew us away! We got to experience endless sheets of ice, bright blue glacial lakes, jagged peaks, old mine ruins, and rushing rivers. Including even pulling ourselves across one in a tram!
Watch our entire Alaska YouTube series to see our experience on many of these hikes, plus learn even more about what to expect.
In this guide we’re sharing the 24 best hikes in Alaska, based on our experience. We’re focusing solely on the areas we hiked during our visit, including Anchorage, the Kenai Peninsula, Hatcher Pass, and three national parks. The majority of these hikes are all accessible by car, so they’re reachable by the average visitor.
We’re also including helpful tips, important things to know, and what to bring, so you’re prepared to hike in Alaska. While this isn’t an exhaustive list of all of the best hikes in Alaska, we hope it gives you many trail ideas for your own Alaskan adventure!
PS: If you scroll to the end, we’re including a downloadable checklist with all of these trails!
Looking for more things to do in Alaska?
- How to spend 7 days in Alaska (4 itinerary options!)
- Things to do in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park (The largest in the US!)
- 12+ FUN things to do in Valdez, Alaska
- 8+ EPIC things to do in Hatcher Pass in Alaska
- The ULTIMATE guide to visiting Denali National Park (Mile 0-43)
- 8 things to do in Kenai Fjords National Park
- RVing Alaska: Our top tips & things to know!
- The ULTIMATE guide to driving the Alaska Highway
- Summer Alaska Packing List
- All of our Alaska vlogs
- All of our Alaska guides
The 24 BEST hikes in Alaska
Below are the 24 epic hikes to consider for your next trip to Alaska! Minus a few of these, these are all hikes that we completed and loved and in our opinion, are some of the best hikes in Alaska. They range in distance, difficulty, and types of scenery. So there is a little something for everyone.
We are breaking down the hikes by area and you can use the map above to get a better idea of where they are located in comparison to each other. For some hikes, we have detailed guides that we will link to which provides a lot more information on the hike. But for others, we only documented our experience on YouTube, so we will go a bit more in depth on those ones in this post.
Disclaimer: We are writing about our experience on these trails from the summer of 2022. We cannot speak to how these trails are outside of that timeframe or what their current conditions are, so make sure to read current reviews.
Denali National Park
Denali National Park is home to Denali, the highest mountain peak in North America, at 20,310 feet. The first 15 miles of the park is where you’ll find the only developed trails in the park. This area is also the only area accessible by personal vehicle. From mile 15 and beyond, you’ll have to utilize the park’s shuttles to get around. And there is only off trail hiking available.
All of these hikes listed below are in the first 15 miles of the park, so you can freely drive to their trailheads and you can expect maintained trails.
Note: There is a day use fee of $15 per person (16 and older) for a 7 day pass to visit Denali National Park. We highly recommend getting the America the Beautiful Pass!
Learn more about Denali National Park and its unique rules by reading our ultimate guide to visiting Denali National Park.
Savage Alpine Trail
Miles (point to point): 4.1
Elevation: 1,414 feet
Dog friendly?: No
Reviews & Current Conditions
The Savage Alpine Trail was our favorite hike in Denali National Park! Although it starts in the trees, you quickly emerge from them and for the rest of the hike have sweeping views. And if you catch it on a clear day, you’ll have an insane view of Denali! We lucked out by hiking this trail on our only clear day in the park.
The trail can be pretty rocky at times and it does have a decent incline, but for most hikers, it’s a moderate trail.
Learn more about the Savage Alpine Trail and how to combine it with the Savage River Trail (which we highly recommend doing!) in this detailed guide.
Mount Healy Overlook Trail
Distance (round trip): 6.9 miles (closer to 5.2 miles if you do not go to the summit)
Elevation: 2,483 feet (closer to 1,700 feet if you do not go to the summit)
Dog friendly?: No
Reviews & Current Conditions
The Mount Healy Overlook is probably the most popular mountainous hike in Denali National Park. Located at the front of the park, it’s super easy to get to!
And while it is one of the longer options and a bit steep, the stats on AllTrails are a bit deceiving, as those numbers go to the actual Mount Healy summit, which is past the Mount Healy Overlook.
Going to the overlook is a great ending point though! While you’re in the trees the majority of this hike, towards the overlook you’ll get above them and have beautiful views of the park and the surrounding mountains. You can see Denali on a clear day, but it isn’t as open of a view as the Savage Alpine Trail.
We personally liked the Savage Alpine Trail better, mostly because you are out of the trees more and have a better vantage point of Denali. But this hike is also incredible!
Learn more about how to hike the Mount Healy Overlook Trail in Denali National Park, plus what to expect along the way, in this detailed guide.
Horseshoe Lake Trail
Miles (roundtrip): 2.1
Elevation gain: 380 feet
Dog friendly?: No
Reviews & Current Conditions
For an easy, but great bang for your buck hike in Denali National Park, check out the Horseshoe Lake Trail. It may seem easy and less exciting on paper, but it makes for a great warm up, cool down, or just relaxing stroll in the park!
And compared to the other hikes in the park, it is packed with a bunch of different features. You’ll experience a railroad track crossing, a beautiful forest, overlook of the lake, beaver dams, stunning blue water, a river, and more!
Learn more about what to expect on the Horseshoe Lake Trail in this detailed trail guide.
Hatcher Pass
Tucked in the Talkeetna Mountains, just under 1.5 hours north of Anchorage lies a magical area called Hatcher Pass.
With bright blue lakes, over 30 glacial peaks, it is easily home to some of the best hikes in Alaska! And the best part? It isn’t too difficult to get to and offers a variety of experiences for all abilities. We cannot express how much we loved this area, it’s a mountain paradise!
Besides the hikes below, there is more to do in Hatcher Pass. Check out our guide to Hatcher Pass to find out more!
Reed Lakes Trail
Miles (roundtrip): 8.7
Elevation (gain): 2,247 feet
Dog friendly?: Yes
Reviews & Current Conditions
Out of all of the hikes we did in Hatcher Pass, the Reed Lakes Trail is our top pick! While another hike had arguably even better views, this trail offered the best experience overall.
You’ll have views right from the trailhead, get to hike by a waterfall, navigate a fun boulder section, see a crystal clear stream, and then end with TWO bright blue lakes, surrounded by mountains. It’s an incredible hike!
To learn more about this hike and what to expect along the way, check out our guide to hiking the Reed Lakes Trail.
April Bowl Trail
Miles (roundtrip): 2.2
Elevation (gain): 856 feet
Dog friendly?: Yes
Reviews & Current Conditions
The April Bowl Trail may be short, but don’t let its distance fool you. This one is a bit of a workout!
There are a couple options for this hike. You can either climb up the first incline, to two small alpine lakes, and admire the views from here. Or you can continue on to Hatch Peak, which is steep and rocky, but gives you even higher up views. We recommend going up to Hatch Peak, but with either option, you’ll get to see multiple lakes, tons of mountains, and if you’re lucky, paragliders!
This trail was one of the best surprises for us in Hatcher Pass. We sometimes assume that a short hike equals less views. But this hike is proof that you don’t always have to hike many miles for an amazing payoff!
Gold Cord Lake Trail
Miles (roundtrip): 1.5
Elevation (gain): 482 feet
Dog friendly?: Yes
Reviews & Current Conditions
For a shorter and easier hike, the Gold Cord Lake Trail is a great choice! This hike starts by the Independence Mine, which is well worth a visit, and takes you up to a beautiful lake. When we visited it was a bit foggy and rainy, but despite that, it was still beautiful. You will also get some great views of the mining complex and the surrounding mountains!
Gold Mint Trail to the Mint Hut
Miles (roundtrip): 16.6
Elevation gain: 3,543 feet
Dog friendly?: Yes
Reviews & Current Conditions
The Gold Mint trail to the Mint Hut had our favorite views not only in Hatcher Pass, but quite possibly all of Alaska! However, this hike is NOT for everyone.
First off, it’s a longer hike and we’d highly suggest backpacking it. While you can just do some of it, the best views are at the top. Secondly, it has some challenges!
The trail follows the Little Susitna River, through a valley, for the first 7 miles or so. This part of the hike is relatively easy from an elevation gain perspective. However, it is mentally challenging, as you’ll encounter thick mud, overgrown brush, and confusing trails along the way.
But if you can conquer this section, you’ll have the mental fortitude to tackle the final stretch, which is very steep and rocky, as you ascend to the iconic red Mint Hut. This hut was built in 1971 and is a super unique feature to this hike. While only MCA members can stay in it, anyone can go inside and check it out!
However, the hut is just one part of the epicness at the top. Surrounding the hut are endless jagged, glacial peaks. The scenery is absolutely mindblowing and we felt like we were in the Alps!
You also have the option to hike up to two bright blue lakes at the end, which are well worth it. While this hike physically and mentally challenged us, it was one of our favorite memories of our entire time in Alaska. If you think you’re up for the challenge, we promise you’ll be blown away by the beauty!
Read more about the Gold Mint Trail and a more detailed breakdown of the hike in our guide to hiking the Gold Mint Trail to the Mint Hut.
Anchorage area
The Anchorage area is loaded with amazing hikes. It’s kind of wild how you can be in the city one minute and then up in the mountains a short drive later.
During our time in Alaska we hiked a few trails in Chugach State Park and the Chugach National Forest, all within a short drive from Anchorage. And what we loved about them is that despite all being close together, they all offered a completely different experience!
South Fork Valley Trail
Miles (roundtrip): 10.7
Elevation gain: 1,558 feet
Dog friendly?: Yes
Reviews & Current Conditions
Note: there is a $5 fee to do this hike, which you can pay via a credit card machine at the trailhead.
The South Fork Valley Trail is incredible! You’ll hike through a valley, with mountain views the entire way, before ending at Eagle and Symphony Lakes.
These lakes, which despite being right next to each other, are completely different colors. Eagle Lake is fed by a nearby glacier, so it’s filled with glacial silt, giving it a milky color. While Symphony Lake is filled with snow melt and rainwater, giving it a clearer, dark blue color. Seeing them side by side is a really unique experience!
While you can admire the lakes from eye level, you can also hike up to a peak behind the lakes for an even better view. The South Fork Valley Trail itself isn’t too hard, minus a rocky section right by the lakes, but this extra climb to get above the lakes was tough. The trail was very rocky, slick, and narrow, with some drop offs. Hiking poles would be helpful here!
Besides just admiring the lakes, you can also fish here! Symphony Lake is stocked with Arctic grayling and trout, so Adam brought his fly rod on the hike. You’ll have to watch this video to see exactly how it went, but it was a pretty funny and exciting experience.
Crow Pass Trail to Raven Glacier
Miles (roundtrip): 7.2 (this mileage includes the addition to Raven Glacier, which is not on the AllTrails route linked)
Elevation gain: 2,100 feet (this elevation includes the addition to Raven Glacier)
Dog friendly?: Yes
Reviews & Current Conditions
The Crow Pass Trail is a 26 mile trail (one way) that follows part of the original Iditarod Trail. While doing the entire hike is a goal for someday, we just did a small portion of it as a day hike instead. And we LOVED it!
We hiked from the trailhead near Girdwood to Crystal Lake and Raven Glacier. And despite hiking on a rainy, gloomy, and very windy day, it was spectacular! The trail starts more in the forest, but opens up and for the rest of the hike you’ll be surrounded by a mix of green, lush mountains and super rocky mountains. And tons of waterfalls! It felt like we were in Iceland at some points!
The trail is overall easy to follow and has a mix of dirty and rocky terrain. At one point you have the choice to go on a lower trail or a higher trail.
On the lower trail you’ll be able to see mining ruins from the Monarch Mine, which were active from 1909 to 1938, plus two waterfalls. While on the higher trail you’ll get to cross two different waterfalls! We took the lower trail on the way and the higher trail on the way back and liked doing it that way.
Once the trails reconnect, you will have to cross a stream, which may require you to get your feet wet. You also may have the chance to see wildlife! We got to see a momma and baby mountain goat. It was adorable!
The AllTrails route ends at the glacial Crystal Lake, which still had ice on it for us! There is an A-frame cabin here that you can rent, overlooking the lake, which would be such a fun experience. We hear that it fills up fast though!
While this hike technically ends here, make sure to continue on another ½ mile or so (one way) to view the Raven Glacier. This glacier is breathtaking!
Flattop Mountain Trail
Miles (roundtrip): 3.3
Elevation gain: 1,430 feet
Dog friendly?: Yes, but some parts may be difficult. Kona napped in the van for this one.
Reviews & Current Conditions
Note: there is a $5 fee to do this hike, which you can pay via a credit card machine at the trailhead.
Flattop Mountain is said to be the most popular hike in Anchorage. And it’s easy to see why! It has low mileage (it’s steep though!), is a short drive from town, and just like basically every hike in Alaska, has amazing views.
We decided to conquer this trail for our one and only midnight hike in Alaska. Not only did this make for a unique experience, but it also helped us beat the crowds.
The trail is steep from the beginning, with some wooden steps about midway through. But towards the end it gets even steeper, with slick dirt terrain, and right before the top, turns into a bit of a rock scramble. I had to use my hands a bit to help me out and was a bit nervous. For some reason, going up was scarier than going down.
But we made it to the top! And at the top there is an American flag, which was whipping in the crazy wind for us. Plus views of the Turnagain Arm, Anchorage, and the Chugach Mountains.
We went into this hike thinking it would be kind of lame compared to others, since it’s right by the city. But we were wrong! The mix of city and nature scenery is super interesting and if you couldn’t see Anchorage, you’d think you were much further away!
Whittier
Whittier is a small town located about 1 hour and 15 minutes southeast of Anchorage, Alaska, along the Passage Canal. And to get to it, unless you take a ferry or train, you will need to drive through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. This does have a toll and set schedule, since it’s one way and shared with a train. But it’s a neat experience to go through!
There are a handful of hikes in Whittier, but the two hikes below are ones that we completed and enjoyed! Well, mostly. 😉
Portage Pass Trail
Miles (roundtrip): 4.4
Elevation gain: 1,437 feet
Dog friendly?: Yes
Reviews & Current Conditions
The Portage Pass Trail was one of our favorite shorter day hikes in Alaska! This trail takes you to Portage Lake, which is where you can find Portage Glacier. But there is more to see along the way!
The trail starts out steep, taking you up to a ridge, where you’ll have a view of the Passage Canal behind you and the Portage Glacier in front of you. The views are incredible! From here, you’ll continue on to Portage Lake. This part of the trail takes you through brush and trees. But there are some views along the way! You’ll be able to see waterfalls and other glaciers tucked into the mountains.
After a short hike, you’ll make it to a beach along Portage Lake, with Portage Glacier right in front of you! When you’re done soaking up the views, you’ll hike back the same way you came. This means you’ll go uphill back to the overlook and then have a steep downhill hike back to the trailhead. It’s worth it though!
To learn more about the Portage Pass Trail, including how to get to the trail, the different sections, and more, check out our Portage Pass Trail guide.
Emerald Cove Trail
Miles (roundtrip): 3.8
Elevation gain: 479 feet
Dog friendly?: Yes, but with the mud, we’d suggest leaving them behind.
Reviews & Current Conditions
The Emerald Cove Trail is a very different hike than anything we did in Alaska. It doesn’t take you to a mountain peak or into a mountainous valley. Instead, it takes you through the forest to a remote, gorgeous cove along the Passage Canal. And along the way, you’ll get to see a beautiful waterfall, pick berries (if ripe), and possibly even see hundreds of salmon swimming upstream (SO cool)!
However, we were hesitant to include this one because it was SO muddy. To the point where most people would not enjoy it. But for us, we had some good laughs as we got stuck in mud (Adam even had his Chaco ripped off!). And there are a lot of amazing features on this hike. So we are including it anyway!
We wouldn’t say put this one at the top of your list, but wanted to include it as an option to consider. If you want to get a better idea of this mud, check out our video from the hike!
Kenai Peninsula
The Kenai Peninsula is a large peninsula south of Anchorage that is known for its vast wilderness, wildlife, glaciers, coastal towns, and Kenai Fjords National Park. Many say it’s their favorite spot in this area of Alaska. And we agree!
There are so many trails you could hike on the Kenai Peninsula and we were lucky to experience a handful! Below are some of the best hikes on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, outside of the national park.
Palmer Creek Lakes Trail
Miles (roundtrip): 2.7
Elevation gain: 921 feet
Dog friendly?: Yes
Reviews & Current Conditions
The Palmer Creek Lakes Trail is a hidden gem! Located near the tiny, authentic Alaskan town of Hope, it features a small pond, two beautiful blue lakes, a waterfall, river, and of course, many mountains.
Getting to this hike requires going down the unpaved Palmer Creek Road, which would be fine for any vehicle. The drive alone is stunning!
The trail starts out in the brush, which is low enough that you can still see views. Later on in this guide we mention that we wish we had waterproof pants for Alaska. This hike is one of the ones where they would’ve come in handy! The part of the trail that goes through brush is narrow and was super wet, soaking our pants.
Thankfully this part is short lived and the trail opens up to more tundra terrain. The hike gets steeper, but since it’s so short, it’s not too difficult. And the lakes at the end are amazing!
Skilak Lookout Trail
Miles (roundtrip): 4.1
Elevation gain: 816 feet
Dog friendly?: Yes
Reviews & Current Conditions
The Skilak Lookout Trail wasn’t our first choice hike for the day we hiked it. But it ended up being the perfect plan b! We originally intended to hike the Slaughter Ridge Trail (more on that next!), but bailed and at the last minute, decided to hike the Skilak Lookout Trail instead.
The hike doesn’t have a ton of views along the way (we did see lots of fireweed and wildflowers though!), but at the end you’ll have a phenomenal view of Skilak Lake. This lake is a bright blue color and huge! And when the sun hits it, it gets even bluer (if that was even possible).
The combination of the lake’s color with the mountains surrounding it, low mileage, and minimal elevation gain makes this hike easily one of the best hikes in Alaska under 5 miles!
Slaughter Ridge Trail
Miles (roundtrip): 4.2
Elevation gain: 2,509 feet
Dog friendly?: Yes
Reviews & Current Conditions
As we mentioned above, we did not complete the Slaughter Ridge Trail. But had the conditions been right, we would have and we know it would’ve been epic!
The day we did this hike started out super foggy. And as you can likely tell from the stats above, this hike is VERY steep. Like, straight up, steep.
We made it about halfway up the mountain, which was incredibly slow moving and difficult, hoping the fog would clear, but the surrounding peaks were socked in. So since the hike was so challenging, we decided it wasn’t worth the effort to have no views at the top.
Although this hike was a bust for us, we were able to see some views of Kenai Lake below. And based on what we could see and the photos we have seen online, we know it would be jaw dropping on a clear day.
We do want to stress though that this hike should only be attempted by more experienced hikers. It’s a doozy!
Note: We have read that the trailhead we parked at (which is what AllTrails says to start at) is closed this year. Please read current reviews to see where others have parked.
Grewingk Glacier and Tram Trail
Miles (roundtrip): 8.9
Elevation gain: 1,240 feet
Dog friendly?: Yes
Reviews & Current Conditions
Located across the water from Homer, Kachemak Bay State Park is Alaska’s first state park and has 400,000 acres of mountains, glaciers, forests and ocean. And one of the most popular hikes to do in the park is the hike to the Grewingk Glacier!
To get to Kachemak Bay State Park, you’ll have to take a water taxi from Homer. This usually costs in the $80 range per person, making this the most expensive hike on the list. However, it is worth it!
Not only do you get a scenic boat ride, but you get to hike in a more remote, undeveloped area. The water taxi will drop you off at one of two trailheads to get to the Grewingk Glacier. Both are pretty short and easy, making this a super doable day hike. However, we decided to complete this hike as a backpacking trip to be able to soak it in and not feel rushed. We highly recommend it!
But regardless if you hike this as a day hike or overnight trip, Grewingk Glacier is an impressive sight! It is 13 miles long and ends at Grewingk Glacier Lake, which has tons of floating icebergs. Getting to camp right along this lake was a dream!
Besides the lake and glacier, make sure to take the 1 mile (each way) detour off the Glacier Lake Trail to a tram that goes over a rushing, glacial river. You operate the tram yourself, which is a blast!
This hike does require some logistics, especially if you want to camp. To read more about our experience and how to do this hike as both a day hike and backpacking trip, check out our detailed guide!
Lost Lake Trail
Miles (roundtrip): 13.8
Elevation gain: 2,631 feet
Dog friendly?: Yes
Reviews & Current Conditions
The Lost Lake Trail is one hike we unfortunately didn’t have time for, but is at the top of our bucket list for our next Alaska trip. This hike is a trek, so make sure you have a full day to spare. It could be done as a backpacking trip, but many do it as a day hike.
The trail starts in the forest, but opens up after around 2 miles and you’ll have views the entire rest of the way. You’ll get to hike among meadows and alpine terrain, with mountains all around. These super exposed, alpine hikes are our favorite! The trail ends at Lost Lake, which we hear has fish if you want to bring your rod!
Note: Many people do report seeing bears on this hike, so be prepared!
Mount Marathon Trail
Miles (roundtrip): 4.1
Elevation gain: 2,923 feet
Dog friendly?: No
Reviews & Current Conditions
When visiting Seward, you’ll likely notice Mount Marathon. This peak towers over the town and the Mount Marathon Trail came highly recommended to us. Since we unfortunately only had a few days in Seward, we couldn’t make this one happen. But you bet we’ll be conquering it next time!
If you can’t tell by the stats, this may be the hardest hike on this entire list. With over 1,000 feet of elevation gain per mile, your legs will be burning, but at the top, you’ll get an unreal view of Seward and Resurrection Bay.
It’s worth noting that the route on AllTrails is a loop and the way down is a lot steeper than the way up. For something a bit easier, go back down the same way you came.
PS: If you think hiking this trail sounds crazy, every year there is a 5K where people RUN up it!
Kenai Fjords National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park is one of the best things to do on the Kenai Peninsula. Located near Seward, this park features glaciers, the largest icefield in the US, coastal scenery, tons of wildlife, and more! It was our favorite of the three national parks we visited in Alaska!
There may not be a ton of trails to hike in Kenai Fjords National Park, but the couple trails that they have are insane!
Note: Similar to Denali National park, dogs are not allowed. However, one difference about this park is that it is free to visit!
Want to learn more about the park and other things to do? Check out our guide to Kenai Fjords National Park!
Exit Glacier Hike
Miles (roundtrip): 2.2
Elevation gain: 308 feet
Dog friendly?: No
Reviews & Current Conditions
If you’re short on time or want an easy hike in Kenai Fjords National Park, the Exit Glacier Hike is for you! This hike takes you to various viewpoints of the Exit Glacier, which is rapidly shrinking, receding more than 2,300 feet since 2004.
Along the way you can see signs, which tell you the year that the Exit Glacier terminated that point. It’s pretty wild to see just how much of the glacier has vanished. If there was ever an urgency to do a hike, it’s this one!
Read our full guide to the Exit Glacier Hike to learn more about the different trails and what to expect along the way!
Harding Icefield Trail
Miles (roundtrip): 8.6
Elevation gain: 3,198 feet
Dog friendly?: No
Reviews & Current Conditions
Want to feel like you’re on another planet? Hike the Harding Icefield Trail! The Harding Icefield is the largest icefield entirely in the United States at 700 square miles and almost 4,000 feet deep. And it is the source of 38 glaciers in the park!
This hike was easily one of our top three hikes in Alaska. You start in the forest, but in less than 2 miles, you’ll emerge from the trees and have views for the rest of the hike. You will get to see the Exit Glacier, rugged, rocky terrain, marmots (if you’re lucky), and pass by a shelter (which makes for a great snack spot). Even though this hike is long and challenging, there is so much to see and experience along the way to distract you.
However, the best part is when you get to the end and there is ice for as far as the eye can see! We did the hike on a partially gloomy day, so the views weren’t totally clear. But even with some clouds, we could grasp the sheer magnitude of the Harding Icefield. It’s one of the most wild things we have ever seen!
Read our full guide to hiking the Harding Icefield to learn more about the different sections of the trail, what to expect, and see more photos of this EPIC hike!
Glenn Highway
The Glenn Highway runs about 180 miles from Anchorage to Glennallen, Alaska. If you’re visiting Valdez, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, or driving to/from Alaska, you will likely take this road. It is an incredibly scenic drive, with a handful of viewpoints and sights along the way. And if you’re looking for a hike, we recommend the Lions Head Trail!
Lion’s Head Trail
Miles (roundtrip): 2.1
Elevation gain: 990 feet
Dog friendly?: Yes
Reviews & Current Conditions
Don’t underestimate this hike. It is short, but oh boy, is it muddy and STEEP! We’ll be honest, at times it is brutal. But if you can’t tell from the other hikes we’ve listed on this guide, we enjoy a challenge!
One very important thing to know about hiking the Lion’s Head Trail is that it is located on AT&T property. You must call them (800-252-7521) and let them know you are hiking. They’ll get some information from you and ask you to call when you are finished. Please do this. Otherwise, I am pretty sure it’s considered trespassing.
It’s worth mentioning though that while the AT&T service is great at the trailhead, we did not have any Verizon service. Thankfully we had an AT&T hotspot we were able to use to call them. Some people on AllTrails have suggested calling while you still have service, before getting to the trail.
NOTE: As of September 2023, we hear it is no longer required to call AT&T. But just in case that changes, please be prepared to do so.
Once getting through the gate, the first part will take you along a service road, before hitting the actual trail. It starts out a bit gradual and then BAM, it’s steep! But not only is it steep, it’s very muddy. Some spots have “steps” in the mud and branches to hold onto, but others are harder. Towards the top it becomes a bit rockier, which was much easier in our opinion.
And once you make it to the very top, you’ll have a view of the Matanuska Glacier! This glacier is 27 miles long and is the largest glacier in the US that can be reached by vehicle. We had previously gone ice climbing on it, so seeing it from above was a really cool perspective for us!
Besides the glacier, you’ll have 360 degree views of the other mountains nearby, all of which have a slightly different look to them. Although this hike is a muddy mess, the views made up for it!
Valdez
Valdez was our favorite town in Alaska! Nicknamed “Little Switzerland,” this area has towering peaks, coastal views, fjords, giant waterfalls, a scenic canyon, glaciers, and so much more. Many of Valdez’s top sights can be experienced without hiking, but there is one area we want to point out!
Read our detailed guide to Valdez to learn about more things to do in this area, including how to see tons of sea lions feasting on salmon!
Thompson Pass
Miles (roundtrip): 1
Elevation gain: 127 feet
Dog friendly?: Yes
Reviews & Current Conditions
Thompson Pass had some of the most breathtaking views that we witnessed in Alaska!
This mountain pass sits at 2,678 feet in the Chugach Mountains and is known as the snowiest place in all of Alaska and possibly the United States, receiving an average of over 500 inches per year.
We’re hesitant to consider Thompson Pass one of the best hikes in Alaska because technically there aren’t any marked trails. So there isn’t necessarily one specific hike to do there. Instead, you’re able to explore freely and choose your own adventure!
This may seem daunting, so we suggest viewing this AllTrails route, which is an area with a matted down path that is easy to explore. We checked out that area and also went across the highway and wandered around a bit, which you can see on our trail recording.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Wrangell-St. Elias is the largest national park in the United States, covering 13 million acres! While a bit tougher to get to, it is accessible by vehicles and offers a unique mix of mountains, glaciers, and mining history. Similar to Kenai Fjords, it is free to visit, but unlike the other national parks, this one DOES allow dogs!
Learn more about Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, including how to get there and other things to do in our guide to the park!
Root Glacier Trail
Miles (roundtrip): 5.7. Note: this distance includes part of the walk to the trailhead, plus walking on the glacier. The actual hike from the trailhead to the base of the glacier is closer to 2 miles (one way).
Elevation gain: 793 feet
Dog friendly?: Yes
Reviews & Current Conditions
One very unique thing about Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is that you can walk ON a glacier…by yourself!
The Root Glacier Trail leads you to the Root Glacier, the most accessible glacier in the park. And you are actually allowed to walk on it without a guide! To do this, you must have microspikes or crampons. Without these, it is unsafe. But if you have them, you can freely explore the ice!
And as you do so, you’ll have a backdrop of some of the highest peaks in the United States. As well as the Stairway Icefall, one of the largest icefalls in the world at 7,000 feet tall. It’s a surreal experience!
To learn more about the hike, check out our detailed guide to Root Glacier Trail, which includes some guides you can hire if you don’t want to walk on the glacier by yourself.
Bonanza Mine Trail
Miles (roundtrip): 8.3
Elevation gain: 3,943 feet
Dog friendly?: Yes
Reviews & Current Conditions
The Bonanza Mine trail combines everything that makes Wrangell-St. Elias National Park special. You have views of the park’s iconic peaks and glaciers, as well as mining ruins. But it takes a good amount of effort to complete this hike. This was probably the hardest hike of our entire trip to Alaska.
From the beginning it’s all uphill. And the first two miles are in the trees, which is pretty boring. But once it opens up, you’ll start to enjoy the fruits of your labor. You’ll be able to see the Kennecott area of the park from above, mining ruins tucked into the mountainside, a waterfall, and so many uniquely shaped peaks.
And the Bonanza Mine at the end is the cherry on top! This mine was once claimed to have the richest known concentration of copper ore in the world. Today, it’s a bit in disrepair, but seeing the old buildings hanging on for dear life, with mountains all around, is a really neat sight.
Check out our detailed guide to the Bonanza Mine Trail to hear more about our experience and what to expect along the way!
Tips + things to know before hiking in Alaska
Now that you know of some of the best hikes in Alaska, we wanted to share some tips and important things to know before you hit the trail. While most of these hikes are in relatively developed areas and are popular, Alaska is still a rugged, wild place. And it’s important to be prepared, in order to have a safe and fun hike.
Want even more hiking tips? Read all of our hiking tips, including how to choose a trail, important things to consider, the tools we use, and so much more in our ultimate guide to hiking.
Leave No Trace
Before embarking on your adventure, please review the Leave No Trace principles to ensure you leave every place better than you found it, so that others can enjoy these beautiful places for many years to come!
These seven principles include planning ahead and preparing, hiking and camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly (pack out what you pack in!), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors.
Read recent reviews
We always read AllTrails reviews before going on any hike! While you can get a general feel for the trail by looking at its mileage, elevation and elevation gain, and seeing some photos, reading reviews helps us learn about current conditions and the overall experience.
For example, when reading AllTrails reviews for hikes we sometimes learn about partial trail closures, extremely muddy conditions, snow or ice, if there are a lot of bugs or aggressive wasps (which unfortunately did get me!), safety concerns, crowd levels, and other important details that can make or break the experience.
When should you do these hikes?
These hikes are going to be best from June- early September, with some not being snow free until July. The end of August starts fall in Alaska, so hiking any later than mid September could be risky with early snowstorms.
As we mentioned above, make sure to read recent reviews. If you’re visiting Alaska early in the season, we also like to look at previous year’s reviews to see what the conditions were like then. While things can vary year to year, if a hike is still too snowy in mid June one year, it likely will be another year as well.
Let someone know your plans
ALWAYS tell someone where you’ll be hiking, plus your estimated start and end time. While this is especially important for any trail, it’s even more important in Alaska. Alaska has some challenging trails, vast wilderness, limited connectivity, and lots of wildlife.
We had zero safety issues while in Alaska, but you never know what can happen. And having someone aware of your plans can greatly increase your chances of getting help if something were to happen.
Download offline maps
It’s very common for hikes in Alaska to have zero cell phone service and sometimes the trails can be confusing. By having offline maps, you’ll be able to ensure you stay on trail throughout the entire hike. We use AllTrails+ for all of our hikes and it has helped us not get lost many times!
Want to get 30% off an AllTrails+ membership? Click this link or use our code aplusk30 (you must redeem this code on the website, not the app)!
We use AllTrails+ on every single hike and it is the most helpful hiking tool out there! Some of the features we love are offline maps (so we can navigate even without cell service), wrong-turn alerts, and its 3D maps feature, so we can get a feel for trails before we hike.
Carry an SOS device
This tip may not apply to the easier and more crowded hikes on this guide, like some of the national park hikes. But for the longer and more challenging hikes, we suggest carrying a Garmin inReach Mini.
This is a satellite device that has SOS functionality in case you need to call for help (for yourself or someone else), plus has the ability to send messages via satellites to loved ones. We use this all the time when hiking to send family members messages to let them know we are okay or if we finished a hike (and don’t have cell service). Thankfully we have yet to use the SOS feature and hope we never have to!
Wildlife safety
Alaska is home to black bears, grizzly bears, and moose, among other wildlife. When hiking, please understand what to do if you see a bear or a moose, as both can become aggressive if provoked.
During our time in Alaska we saw one bear on a trail (a grizzly in Wrangell-St. Elias) and also got trapped by 3 moose on a paved path with our dog in Denali National Park. Thankfully we didn’t have any scary encounters, but understanding what to do helped us out!
Not all trails are dog friendly
Speaking of animals, while the hikes in Alaska are typically very dog friendly, in national parks and some other areas, they may not be allowed.
We noted on the trails above if they were dog friendly, but always double check in case the rules have changed. And if you do bring your dog, please pick up after it (and pack it out) and keep them under control.
Not only is Alaska home to bears and other wildlife, but not all humans or dogs (like our pup Kona) appreciate strange dogs running up to them. We had a handful of really unpleasant and stressful encounters with off leash dogs running up to us in Alaska.
Curious what we do with our dog when she cannot hike with us? Check out this blog post where we share our tips and different options.
Be prepared for all types of weather
Always check the weather before hiking! Weather can not only impact views, but it can impact safety. If you are hiking a trail that is fully exposed, requires a river crossing, or has sketchy drop offs, you may not want to do this on a rainy day.
We did all of these hikes in Alaska between June-August 2022 and the weather varied a lot for us. Most of the summer was gloomy and rainy, but we did have some sunny days sprinkled in. We try to not let rain stop us from getting outdoors, but we did have to adjust many plans due to weather. And we tried to have a good attitude and enjoy the adventure, sunshine or not!
Wear the proper gear
With varying weather, elevation changes, and different terrain, make sure you wear the proper gear to stay safe and comfortable during your adventures. We’re sharing some gear suggestions for hiking in Alaska below!
What to bring when hiking in Alaska
To see everything we take hiking, check out our hiking gear as well as our guide about how to make a 10 essentials kit. But for hikes in Alaska, we have a few items we really want to stress bringing with you.
Hiking shoes
We always recommend wearing hiking shoes when hitting the trail, as they have better grip for the terrain. Kathryn rocks Lowa Women’s Renegade GTX on the trails and she LOVES them! Adam wears the ALTRA Lone Peak 6 Trail Running Shoe, which is a trail running shoe, so they are less bulky than boots, but still great for the trail.
Xtratuf boots are SUPER popular in Alaska and we can see why! These will keep your feet from getting wet and make hiking through mud a lot more pleasant. We didn’t have these, but were envious of people wearing them at times!
Layers
Weather in Alaska can be extremely unpredictable. Carrying some layers will help you be prepared for all conditions when hiking in Alaska. We always had our warmer jackets with us. Kathryn wears a Patagonia Down Sweater and Adam wears a Columbia VooDoo Falls jacket. We also tried to bring lighter layers, like pullovers too!
Rain jacket
We had a very rainy summer in Alaska and sometimes the rain comes out of nowhere. Make sure to bring a rain jacket on your hikes! Kathryn wears the Patagonia Torrentshell jacket and Adam wears The North Face Alta Vista jacket.
Rain pants
One item we did not have, but will 100% pick up before our next Alaska trip are rain pants. Many trails in Alaska take you through some brush and if it has rained, the brush will be very wet. Our pants got soaked on some hikes solely from touching the brush.
Garmin InReach
This is an essential piece of gear for this adventure because you won’t have much or any cell service. If you get in an emergency you’ll need a satellite communicator. We always carry our Garmin inReach Mini when we hike or backpack and it has come in handy several times on our adventures, mostly to text family (not for SOS reasons thankfully)!
Trekking poles
Some of these hikes in Alaska are steep, rocky, and slick. Trekking poles may be helpful, especially for the hike down. We have the Black Diamond Equipment Distance Z poles and highly recommend them!
Hot hands
If you plan to hike in the cold, hot hands are so helpful! While gloves do keep our hands a bit warmer, we find these to take warmth to the next level!
Spikes
If it’s icy or snowy, spikes are a must! Our Kahtoola MICROspikes are AMAZING and one of the best investments we have made for hiking. They have made hiking in icy and snowy conditions so easy!
Food
Make sure to always bring enough snacks and food for your hike, plus a little extra in case it takes longer than planned. You can see what food items we like to bring here!
Water
You’ll want to make sure you have lots of water on your hike. We like to carry our 3L Camelbak bladders while on any hike, which makes it easy to store a lot of water and drink while on the go. We also will bring a water filter for longer hikes if we think we will need more than 3L each, so we can filter water, assuming there is some on the trail.
Headlamp
The summer days are very long in Alaska. We even went on a midnight hike once! But even if you don’t plan to hike for sunrise or sunset, it’s a good idea to have a headlamp on you. We’ve been using these headlamps for awhile now and they are bright, affordable, and comfortable.
Bear spray
We highly recommend carrying bear spray while in Alaska. While we only saw one bear on a trail during our time in Alaska, it gave us great peace of mind to know we had some sort of protection. We’d much rather have bear spray and not need it, than need it and not have it. Bear attacks are rare, but you cannot predict how a wild animal will react to seeing you.
Not only is it important to have bear spray on you, but you need to have it readily available and know how to use it. We’d recommend watching this video that explains how to use bear spray, if you aren’t familiar.
External battery charger
It’s a good idea to bring an external battery charger so you can keep your phone or any other electronic items charged. Don’t forget the charger cord too!
Trowel
Be sure to follow Leave No Trace principle #3 and dispose of human waste properly. We use this trowel when we have to do our business in the wild. Thankfully this has never been needed for day hikes, just backpacking trips.
Toilet paper (and a bag)
Similar to above, if you need to do your business outdoors, make sure to bring some toilet paper. However, DO NOT bury this or leave this on the ground. Please take it with you! We will just put any used toilet paper in a dog waste bag and pack it out that way.
For the ladies, a pee cloth is also a good idea!
Bug Repellent
If you haven’t heard, the common joke is that the state bird of Alaska is the mosquito. We personally didn’t find the mosquitoes to be too bad during our trip to Alaska. Maybe we got lucky? But we still recommend bringing bug spray with DEET on your hikes!
Sun Protection
Many hikes in Alaska will take you above the treeline, giving you full exposure to the sun. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat will be very helpful!
Binoculars
If you can handle a bit of extra weight, binoculars are a great addition when hiking in Alaska. You’ll be able to see even more epic views and maybe even some wildlife. We have the Bushnell H20 Roof Prism binoculars and we love them!
Backpack
And of course, you need a backpack to put all of these items in! We both have REI Trail 40 packs and LOVE them! They may be a bit big for a day hike (we plan to use them to backpack too), but they hold so much, come with a rain cover, and have some nice features, like hip pockets, a sleeve for a water bladder, and more!
Ready to go hiking in Alaska?
Pin this guide with the best hikes in Alaska to plan your next adventure!
