Discover The 7 Best Hikes In Alaska For Every Skill Level

Best Hikes In Alaska

Hiking in Alaska is not just something to do – it is a must-do experience. The trails here wind through the lush forests, past beautiful glaciers, and continue up to the mountain peaks, offering something for all hikers.

Whether you are looking for an easy lakeside hike or ready for a backcountry experience, the trails are calling your name. So, pack your bear spray, check your cell phone battery, and get ready to explore because the best hikes in Alaska are waiting.

 

1) Alaska Off The Beaten Path – Choose Your Own Adventure

Alaska offers endless experiences, from the thrill of spotting brown bears in the wild to the serenity of a coastal hike paired with a fishing experience. At Hoonah Travel Adventures, we have a journey for every explorer.

Our expert guide, Natalie, is eager to share her love of the outdoors, whether you’re casting your first line or searching for wildlife in its natural habitat. Get ready for an unforgettable experience in Alaska’s wilderness:

  • 3-in-1 Chichagof Island Adventure – Get ready to combine bear spotting, fishing, and a scenic river hike into one experience. Depending on the time of year, you will either fish for trout or salmon. During the walk along the river, do not be surprised to see wild animals, especially bears also searching for fish. 

  • Wilderness Tour & Brown Bear Search – An Alaska trip is not complete without a tour through the Tongass National Forest in search of bears, and our van tour is one of the best ways to explore the forest. Our expert guide knows where to find the brown bears, and if it is safe, you will be allowed to leave the van for a closer look at the wildlife. 

After spending time on a cruise ship, you will be more than ready to explore the best of Alaska. However, if you want to explore Alaska with one of the best tour guides, book your tour with us today!

 

2) Amazing Hikes Near The Anchorage Area

Anchorage is surrounded by beautiful landscapes, offering some of the best hiking in Alaska. Whether you want a challenging summit climb or a scenic valley trek, these trails provide unforgettable outdoor experiences.

From panoramic mountain views to serene lakes nestled between rugged peaks, the Anchorage hiking scene has something for everyone:

  • Flattop Mountain Trail – One of the most popular hikes in Anchorage, the challenging climb offers spectacular views from the summit. The trail has a 1,500-foot elevation gain from the trailhead to the summit. The three-mile hike is short but ideal for those who want to conquer a nearby peak.

  • South Fork Valley Trail – It is not often when a trail leads to a rare geological find, but this one does. Start at the trailhead and follow the valley until you reach the isthmus that sits between Eagle Lakes’ green waters and the beautiful blue waters of Symphony Lakes. On calm days, you can hear music as the lake waters hit the rocks.

Pro Tip: Cell service is spotty on these trails; do not rely on your phone for navigation or communication. Before heading out, charge your phone, download maps, and provide someone with your plans.

 

3) The Best Hikes In Hatcher Pass – Trails You Can’t Miss

Nestled in the heart of the Talkeetna Mountains, Hatcher Pass is the place for outdoor activities. With its rugged peaks, alpine lakes, and historic mining sites, this area offers some of the most beautiful hikes.

Whether you are looking for a short hike or a challenging backcountry expedition, these trails showcase Alaska’s beauty:

  • April Bowl Trail – This moderate 2.2-mile out-and-back hike has only an 800-foot elevation gain and starts at Summit Lake Recreation Area. The steep but rewarding trail leads to glacial lakes and panoramic ridge views, making it a favorite for those seeking a scenic short hike.

  • Reed Lakes Trail – A challenging 8.6-mile round-trip hike featuring turquoise glacial lakes, waterfalls, and towering peaks. The trail conditions include boulder fields and steep climbs, but the scenery makes it worth it.

  • Gold Mint Trail – A 16-mile round-trip that follows the Little Susitna River through a valley surrounded by granite spires. The trail leads to the Mint Hut, a public-use cabin near Mint Glacier, offering a stunning backcountry experience.

  • Gold Cord Lake Trail – The trail consists of a quick 1.6-mile out-and-back hike starting near Independence Mine State Historical Park. The trail climbs 580 feet through scenic terrain, and hikers will pass by the old mining cabins before reaching the crystal-clear lake.

Pro Tip: Weather in Hatcher Pass can change quickly, and some trails have snow into summer. Before heading out, make sure to check weather conditions, pack layers, and wear sturdy footwear, especially for hikes like Reed Lakes, where trail conditions can make footing tricky.

 

4) Hiking In Alaska – Trails Through The Wild Frontier

Thompson Pass, located in the Chugach Mountains, is one of Alaska’s most breathtaking alpine destinations. The high-elevation pass offers stunning views, diverse terrain, and access to great hiking trails.

Whether you are in the mood for a scenic trek or a rugged backcountry escape, Thompson Pass delivers an unforgettable experience:

  • Thompson Pass Trail – This moderate 2.7-mile loop trail offers stunning alpine views and rugged terrain. While the trail is not clearly marked, hikers can follow natural paths to reach the scenic vantage points.

  • Worthington Glacier Ridge Hike – A challenging route that takes hikers close to Worthington Glacier, offering beautiful views of the peaks. Expect steep climbs and rocky terrain, so this trail is best suited for experienced hikers.

  • Keystone Canyon Pack Trail – A historic trail that follows the old gold rush route through forests and past waterfalls, including Bridal Veil Falls and Horsetail Falls. It is a moderate hike with incredible scenery.

Pro Tip: Thompson Pass is known for quick weather changes and strong winds. Make sure to pack wind-resistant gear and extra layers.

 

5) Hiking In Denali National Park

Denali National Park is home to some of the best landscape features, including towering peaks, vast tundra, and a network of trails. Whether you are looking for a short scenic walk or a demanding alpine ascent, the national park offers unforgettable hiking experiences for every skill level:

  • Savage Alpine Trail – A strenuous 4-mile point-to-point hike with 1,500 feet of elevation gain, connecting the Savage River area to Mountain Vista. This trail climbs into the alpine tundra, offering sweeping views of Denali on clear days.

  • Savage River Loop Trail – A moderate 2-mile loop following the Savage River, with views of the valley and surrounding peaks. It’s a great option for a shorter, more accessible hike.

Pro Tip: Unlike many national parks, Denali allows off-trail hiking, meaning you can explore beyond marked paths. If you venture off-trail, bring a map and compass, bear spray, and be aware of weather changes. Also, the tundra can be deceiving, and distances can appear shorter than they are.

 

6) Hiking The Kenai Peninsula – Trails Through Alaska’s Wild Heart

The Kenai Peninsula is home to towering mountains, lush forests, and glacial valleys, offering some of Alaska’s most incredible hiking experiences. Whether trekking through the Chugach National Forest, exploring hidden alpine lakes, or following one of the many trails that weave through rushing rivers and coastal landscapes, the Kenai Peninsula delivers an experience at every turn:

  • Byron Glacier Trail – A moderate 1.4-mile out-and-back trail leading to Byron Glacier, where hikers can explore ice caves and the glacial terrain. The trail is accessible and family-friendly.

  • Tonsina Creek Trail – A moderate 3.5-mile round-trip hike near Seward that winds through forests leading to a scenic beachfront at Tonsina Creek. It’s an excellent spot for watching salmon runs.

  • Crow Pass Trail – A challenging 21-mile trek through the Chugach National Forest featuring glacial valleys, alpine lakes, and historic mining ruins. The trail includes a river crossing at Eagle River, making it a true backcountry adventure.

Fun Fact: The Kenai Peninsula is often called “Alaska’s Playground” because of its variety of outdoor activities. It is home to some of the best salmon fishing in the world, with the Kenai River holding the record for the largest king salmon ever caught, weighing a whopping 97.4 pounds.

 

7) Hiking Through Kenai Fjords National Park

Few places capture Alaska’s untamed spirit like Kenai Fjords National Park. The national park, with massive icefields, fjords, and wild animals, offers hikers a chance to experience the forces that have shaped the landscape for thousands of years.

  • Harding Icefield Trail – A strenuous 8.2-mile round-trip hike with 3,198 feet of elevation gain, leading to breathtaking views of the Harding Icefield, one of the largest icefields in the U.S. The trail starts at Exit Glacier and climbs through alpine meadows before reaching the icefield overlook.

  • Exit Glacier Trails – These trails are easier and offer close-up views of Exit Glacier, the only part of the park accessible by road. The Glacier View Loop is a 1.1-mile easy trail, while the Overlook Trail extends to 2.2 miles, offering a panoramic view.

Fun Fact: Covering over 700 square miles, the Harding Icefield is one of the largest in the United States. However, due to climate change, the 40 glaciers that depend on the icefield are beginning to shrink.

 

Alaska’s Natural Beauty – One Hike At A Time

From glaciers to forests, Alaska has endless opportunities to get out and explore. Whether hiking across icefields, coastal trails, or discovering hidden gems, each hike reveals the wild beauty of the Last Frontier.

Ready to explore the wild beauty of Alaska? Let the friendly guides at Hoonah Travel Adventures lead you on an unforgettable journey through breathtaking landscapes. Book your tour today and start making memories that will last a lifetime!

Duration
3 hours
Group Size
Up to 12

Icy Strait Kayak Adventure

The reasons to Kayak with us are endless! A few reasons might be to experience unspoiled nature and stunning scenery amid a mountainous back drop! Or simply the serenity and peace that speaks to ones soul while gliding silently across the water in this majestic, remote location.

Duration
4 hours
Group Size
2 to 6

3 in 1 Chichagof Island Adventure: Fishing + Hiking + Bear Search

This tour is designed for cruise passengers that are looking for an Alaskan expereince that is off the beaten path, away from the masses!! We’ll depart from the port entrance and drive through the quaint yet vibrant Alaska Native Tlingit Village of Hoonah, then merge onto old logging roads that will take us to a remote river. During the ride and along the river it is not uncommon to spot wildlife- the island has more brown bears per square mile than almost anywhere else on the planet.

We’ll be fishing a wild “last frontier” type area with little signs of civilization. As we fish and hike along the river, you will be amazed by the landscapes that will surround us. ​Sheer Alaskan Wilderness in all her beauty! Depending on the time of year, we’ll fish for Salmon and/or Trout. You will have the choice between spin fishing (no prior experience required) or fly fishing (basic casting skills recommended).
 
Fishing near the Port of Icy Strait allows you to check an activity off manys bucket list while exploring the nature and wildlife of the beautiful Tongass National Forest. We may even have the chance to watch salmon spawn and pick wild berries!

Duration
3 hours
Group Size
Up to 6

Icy Strait Fishing Adventure

Fishermen come from around the world to cast their lines in the waters of Southeast Alaska in search of halibut and salmon. Join the ranks of these traveling fisherman and book a trip with us today!

On 02/03/2025 NOAA Fisheries released its 2025 regulations for halibut fishing, and there are some key changes affecting charter operations that you should be aware of:

* One Retention Trip Per Day: To ensure the sustainability of the halibut population, charter operators are limited to one trip per day where halibut can be retained. (within size and bag limits, of course).

* Additional Catch & Release Trips: We understand that many anglers enjoy the thrill of the fight even if they're not keeping the fish. Therefore, on days when we have a retention trip scheduled, we may also offer additional catch and release halibut fishing trips. These trips will provide all the excitement of hooking into these incredible fish, but any halibut caught must be released back into the ocean unharmed.

* Tuesday: No Retention Day: Please note that Tuesday has been designated by NOAA Fisheries as a no retention day for halibut fishing. This means that no halibut can be kept on Tuesdays. We may still offer catch and release trips on Tuesdays, depending on demand.

Duration
3 hours
Group Size
Up to 10

Wilderness Tour and Brown Bear Search - LEO, Military, Teacher Discount!

Chichagof Island, or Shee Kaax, is an island in the Alexander Archipelago of the Alaska Panhandle. At 75 miles long and 50 miles wide, it has a land area of 2,048.61 square miles, making it the fifth largest island in the United States. Chichagof Island has the highest population of bears per square mile of any place on Earth and its dense rain forests are some of the last grizzly strongholds!

The community of Hoonah, with a year-round population of approximately 750, is located in the northern part of Chichagof Island. The vast majority of the island is made up of pure, uninhabited Alaskan wilderness teeming with wildlife! The Ursus arctos, or brown bear, is the king of the forest, but Sitka black-tail deer, bald eagles, minks, martens, beavers, ducks, and seabirds thrive on the island and are sometimes spotted on this tour.

This Alaskan wilderness and bear search tour is only offered May through September because those are the months that afford the highest probability of bear sightings. In late April and May, the bears are coming out of hibernation and looking for food. In June, the bears are mating and eating grasses on the tidal flats. Older males fight each other for dominance and mating rights with the females, who at times are not receptive and force the male to give chase.

In July, the salmon start their migration from the ocean up the rivers and we find the bears feeding in coastal rivers and streams. In August and September, the salmon have made it further up the rivers to shallow streams where the bears chase them.

Depending on the month and the weather, the wildlife can be found in different locations throughout the island. Your guide spends a lot of time in the forest and knows where to look.

Join us as we search for these amazing creatures!

This tour is located on the Tongass National Forest under special use permit from the Forest Service, USDA.
Hoonah Travel Adventures LLC is an equal opportunity provider.

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$120
Duration
3 hours
Group Size
Up to 30

Guaranteed Whale Watching in the Port of Icy Strait, Alaska - LEO, Military, Teacher Discount!

Our Hoonah whale watching tour begins when we pick you up at the Port of Icy Strait Excursions Hub. We drive along Shaman Point to the Hoonah City Harbor where our charter boat is waiting. Along the way, you may spot some of our local wildlife, including bald eagles, blacktail deer, and more. Hoonah is home to the largest concentration of Alaskan brown bears in the world, so keep your eyes open!

We then board the boat and leave Hoonah Harbor. While traveling along the shorelines, sightings of bears, deer, coastal ducks and geese, blue heron, puffin, terns, cormorants, and more are common. In the water, you may get a chance to spot humpbacks, orca, sea otters, sea lions, porpoises, and seals.

Large numbers of humpback whales come to Hoonah to feed in the nutrient-rich waters of Point Adolphus, Glacier Bay and Icy Strait every summer before migrating south again in the winter. The whale population begins to arrive in Hoonah in May and stays through September. Humpback whales are large baleen whales that can reach over 50 feet in length and weigh as much as 50 tons. They are most famous for their whale songs, thought to be used by males as a mating call. Humpbacks are amazingly active and typical whale sightings include diving, blows, and flukes (tails). Lucky whale watchers may get to see breaching or bubble-net feeding, a cooperative feeding method where a pod forms a circle and dives under the water. They blow air to create a wall of bubbles that force krill and plankton to the surface where the whales can eat them. Observing humpbacks practice bubble-net feeding is a real treat and a truly thrilling experience. We have a $100 whale sighting guarantee! If a whale is not sighted on your tour your will be credited $100.

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$180