Covering more than 665,000 square miles, Alaska is massive. Earning the number one spot for being the largest state in the United States, Alaska’s landscape is still untouched and remote, accounting for two-thirds of the country’s national parklands, roughly 80% of wildlife refuges and houses the two largest national forests. For most, these numbers are incomprehensible, so, to put it simply, Alaska offers more outdoor adventures than any other state. Making Alaska one of the most diverse places to hike in the United States. But, which hikes should you start with?
The best summer hikes in Alaska are:
Byron Glacier Ice Cave Hike
Grewingk Glacier Lake Hike
Rainbow Lakes Hike near Kenai Lake
Chutes and Ladders Hike
Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield Hike
Read on to discover where these hikes are located, how long they take, and an overview of the best summer hikes in Alaska.
Seeing the entrance to the ice cave of Byron Glacier for the first time while hiking in Alaska. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
Byron Glacier Ice Cave Hike
Hiking Byron Glacier during the summer is a treat. From the trailhead, the cool breeze from the glacier and the rushing river sounds draw you into a mystical mindset as you approach the ice cave. After hiking for a 1.5 miles, you reach the entrance to the cave. Looking dark and daunting, as you enter, your eyes quickly adjust and reveal the magic that is the Byron Glacier Ice Cave hike.
Where is Byron Glacier?
Byron Glacier is located in Girdwood, Alaska on the Kenia Peninsula. Sitting adjacent to Portage Lake and Portage Glacier, this ice cave hike is often paired with a visit to Portage Lake.
Click here for direction to Byron Glacier Trailhead
How long does it take to hike Byron Glacier Ice Cave?
Hiking to the ice cave of Byron Glacier will take 20-30 minutes along a flat dirt trail. Several people stay for 2-3 hours as they explore deep into the ice cave.
Byron Glacier Ice Cave Hike Overview:
Distance: 1.6 miles round trip
Time needed: 1-2 hours
Elevation change: 100 feet
Type of terrain: Maintained trail to rocky river bed in the ice cave
Difficulty of hike: Easy
Interested in learning more about the Byron Glacier Ice Caves? I wrote a full article about how to hike and explore the ice caves at Byron Glacier safely.
Grewingk Glacier Lake Hike
Stepping off the boat onto solid ground, the Grewingk Glacier Lake hike begins. Up a wooden ladder to a vertical trail, the start to this hike can be brutal. However, once you are over the hump it’s all downhill to Grewingk lake. Arriving at Grewingk Lake is a special event as the beach often has ice chunks and iceburgs floating close to shore.
Where is Grewingk Glacier Lake?
Gerwingk Glacier Lake is located in Kachemak Bay across the from Homer, Alaska. To reach the trailhead, you will need to charter a water taxi, I suggest Mako Water Taxi, across the bay.
Click here for direction to Grewingk Glacier Lake Trailhead
How long does it take to hike Grewingk Glacier Lake?
Hiking Grewingk Glacier Lake takes about 6 hours to hike out and back and the water taxi is roughly 1 hour, so this hike is a full day adventure. With that said, several hikers bring camping supplies and stay at Grewingk Glacier Lake for 1 to 2 nights.
Grewingk Glacier Lake Hike Overview:
Distance: 12.6 miles round trip
Time needed: 5-6 hours
Elevation change: 2,100 feet
Type of terrain: Well maintained trail
Difficulty of hike: Strenuous
Rainbow lakes Hike near Kenai Lake
Rainbow Lakes are a hidden gem between Kenai Lake and Cooper Lake. This chain of lakes is not very large, but Rainbow Lakes offers wonderful views—especially at sunset— and short hikes accessible to all. The trails are maintained and many of the lakes have a bench you can sit at to enjoy the view. Additionally, there is camping and fishing at all of these lakes, so bring a tent and stay for the weekend.
Where Are Rainbow Lakes?
Rainbow Lakes are located halfway between Kenai Lake and Cooper Lake. The nearest town is Cooper’s Landing, AK on the Kenai Peninsula. To reach Rainbow Lakes you will need to drive down a dirt road for a long while, between 30-40 minutes. The pullout for this chain of lakes comes upon you quickly, so keep your eyes peeled for the forest service sign.
Click here for direction to Rainbow Lakes Trailhead
How long does it take to hike Rainbow Lakes?
Rainbow Lakes offers several short hikes that are all less than a mile and take roughly 10 to 20 minutes. However, many hikers visiting Rainbow Lakes come for the views and easy access to the lakes for swimming and fishing.
Rainbow Lakes Hike Overview:
Distance: 1 mile round trip
Time needed: 10-20 minutes
Elevation change: 30 feet
Type of terrain: Maintained trail
Difficulty of hike: Easy
Chutes and Ladders Hike
Just outside of Anchorage, AK in town called Girdwood there is a local waterfall hike called Chutes and Ladders. This incredible waterfall hike is tricky to find, as it is unmarked on any map and there are no trail signs to get there. However, once you find the first rope, leading down into the canyon, the fun begins.
Where is Chutes and Ladder?
The Chutes and Ladders hike in Girdwood begins and ends at the Winner Creek Gorge Trailhead. This loop hike has a large parking lot, a pit toilet, and it is easy to find the initial trail, but getting to Chutes & Ladders can be difficult because there is not a marked trail that will lead you to the start.
Click here for direction to Chutes and Ladders Trailhead
How long does it take to hike Chutes and Ladder?
Chutes and Ladders in Girdwood, Alaska is a quick hike, 30 minutes round trip, but most hikers take between 90-120 minutes to complete. This waterfall hike is unique and technical, so hikers prefer to take their time to increase their safety and enjoy the journey of the hike. I suggest taking your time, Chutes and Ladders is a lot of fun!
Chutes and Ladder Hike Overview:
Distance: 2.5 miles
Time needed: 1-2 hours
Elevation change: 350 feet
Type of terrain: Non-maintained trail, wet rock
Difficulty of hike: Moderate, but technical
Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield Hike
The Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield hike is a one-two hit combo in the Kenai Fjord National Park just outside of Seward, Alaska. Most hikers decide to day hike to Exit Glacier to see this massive frozen river up close, but few push onward and upward to the Harding Icefield. If you have the time and energy, you should hike up the switchbacks to the Harding Icefield so you can soak in the United States largest icefield.
Where is Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield?
Exit Glacier and the Harding Icefield trail begins outside of Seward, Alaska at the Kenai National Park Nature Center.
Click here for direction to Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield Trailhead
How long does it take to hike Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield?
Hiking both Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield will take 6-7 hours, so make sure to pack some water and snacks for the trail. If you are only interested in hiking to Exit Glacier, this 2.2 mile hike will take about an hour to complete.
Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield Hike Overview:
Distance: 9.2 miles round trip
Time needed: 6-7 hours
Elevation change: 3,600 feet
Type of terrain: Maintained trail
Difficulty of hike: Hard
Also consider these other Amazing ALaskan Summer hikes:
Red Mountain near Homer
Kenai Lake beach walk
Portage Pass
An avid hiker takes a look at where she came from while hiking Red Mountain along the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
Now that you have discovered where these hikes are located, how long they take, and an overview of the best summer hikes in Alaska it is your turn to start exploring the trails of Alaska.
