5 of the Best Hikes in Alaska: Unique, Scenic, and 3 Hours or Less

Last Updated on May 26, 2023 by Deanne

Looking for some short and scenic Alaska hiking trails? In this comprehensive guide, we detail five of the best hikes in Alaska that can be completed in three hours or less. They are all beautiful (it is Alaska, after all) and each has a unique quality that makes it a can’t-miss hike on your Alaskan travels. We also detail two bonus hikes at the end – while not quite as stunning as the first five, they are still a fun add-on if you have time. All of our recommended Alaska hiking trails are located in south-central Alaska, specifically the cities of Anchorage, Girdwood, Whittier, Cooper Landing and Seward.

ALASKA HIKING TIPS

Hiking in Alaska is one of the best ways to explore the Last Frontier. It’s a low-cost, high reward activity. It’s basically free (unless you pay for parking or equipment like walking sticks) and it provides unbelievable views of the wide-open, wild Alaskan landscape. But before you tie up your laces and head out on these awesome Alaskan hiking trails, there are some things to keep in mind:

• Wildlife – There is always the possibility of a bear encounter in Alaska. Bring bear spray with you on your hike and know how to use it. Stay on the path and make noise as you walk along the trail, so you don’t surprise any bears.
• Footwear – Wearing proper footwear is important when hiking in Alaska. It’s quite possible you’ll come across steep, muddy, rocky, icy, wet, slick, uneven and/or loose terrain.
• Weather – Alaska weather can change quickly. Be prepared with extra layers in case of sudden weather changes. Storms or strong winds can move in quickly.
• Glaciers – Be careful when hiking on or near glaciers. Ice can become dislodged and fall without warning.

(Need help planning your entire Alaska itinerary? Check out Comparing Two Alaska Road Trip Itineraries)

5 OF THE BEST HIKES IN ALASKA

1. EXIT GLACIER

Just outside the city of Seward is Exit Glacier. Located in Kenai Fjords National Park, Exit Glacier is one of the most accessible glaciers and one of the best hikes in Alaska.

Hiking to Exit Glacier is easy with multiple short trails intertwined to view the blue ice from different angles. First there is Glacier View Loop Trail, a 1-mile paved loop that is wheelchair accessible. This provides good views of the glacier from a distance. Next, the Glacier Overlook Trail shoots off from the paved loop trail for another half-mile ending with a short climb up exposed rock. From here you view Exit Glacier from above. This is a great vantage point because being up high not only lets you view a gorgeous panorama of the glacier below, but also of the surrounding river and mountains.

Now backtrack a little and hike down to the Outwash Plain where you walk along a flowing riverbed leading up to the toe of the glacier. On the way, a small stretch of the trail gets a little narrow and can be tricky to maneuver, but it’s worth it to make it all the way to the end. As you near the glacier the temperature gets obviously colder, the rushing water gets louder, and the cool blue ice gets even more dramatic.

(If you’re traveling from Anchorage to Seward on the Seward Highway, check out these 7 scenic stops not to miss on your drive!)

Exit Glacier Trail Details

What makes it unique? Few glaciers allow you to hike right up to them. While you can’t get close enough to actually touch Exit Glacier, it’s a unique experience to be able to hike for just a short distance and get so close to it.

Most scenic spot on trail: Overlooking the glacier is impressive, but walking down by the river is the most memorable. The loud rushing water and cool air tingling your senses creates an extraordinary experience not to miss.

Difficulty: Easy

Total hiking time: Anywhere from 1.5-2.5 hours depending on how much you hike, how long you stop to take pictures, and how long you stop just to take it all in.

How to get there: At mile marker 3 on the Seward Highway, turn west on to Herman Leirer Road (also known as Exit Glacier Road.) Travel 8.4 miles and the road ends at the Exit Glacier parking lot.

*Want an even bigger adventure while visiting Exit Glacier? Consider hiking the Harding Icefield Trail. This 8.2-mile out and back hike will take you up 3,500 feet and provide a wide open expanse of winter white as far as the eye can see. This is a difficult uphill hike and can take 6-8 hours to complete.

2. RUSSIAN RIVER FALLS

If you’ve never watched as salmon try swimming and jumping upstream during a salmon run, you should head to Russian River Falls trail in the small and beautiful town of Cooper Landing. It’s an incredible sight and one that makes the Russian River Falls trail so popular.

This 2.5-mile (one way) hike takes you to tiered waterfalls with salmon jumping up out of the water as they try moving upstream. With an abundance of fish, this is also a popular place for bears to come and get a hearty meal. If you’re lucky, you’ll see one or two feasting on fish down by the water. Don’t worry – there are two viewing platforms at the end of the trail, so you can watch this unique spectacle safely from above.

The hike begins in a forest and continues on a wooded trail until a clearing at the end where you can view the salmon. The trail is wide, gravel and mostly flat, making it seem more like a nature walk than a hike.

It doesn’t have quite the jaw-dropping scenery or panoramic views of some other Alaskan hikes, but it’s a nice, tree-covered trail leading to unique salmon viewing which easily puts it on the list of best hikes in Alaska.

Russian River Falls Trail Details

What makes it unique? Salmon jumping like crazy trying to make their way up a waterfall

Most scenic spot on trail: The end of the trail at the observation decks overlooking the salmon jumping

Difficulty: Easy

Total hiking time: 2.5-3 hours, depending on how much time you spend watching the salmon

How to get there: At mile marker 52 of the Sterling Highway follow the turnoff for the Russian River Campground. Travel about a mile and the parking lot is on the left. It costs $11 to park in the lot and there is a bathroom at the trailhead.

(Want a refreshing break from your hiking adventures? Check out our post on Alaska craft breweries found all over the state – including Cooper Landing and Seward!)

3. PORTAGE PASS

Portage Pass trail just outside the town of Whittier starts off with a steep uphill climb. As the elevation continues for 30 minutes, then 40, and 50, not leveling off until almost an hour of hiking, you may be questioning whether this hike was a good idea. Well, just wait!

Once you reach 800 ft in elevation, you’ll want to stop and take in the beauty that surrounds you. In front of you is a small pond with views of icy blue Portage Glacier in the distance, snow-covered mountains all around you and cool views of the town of Whittier behind you. As dramatic as this spot is, it’s not the end of the hike.

March on another 15-20 minutes down the trail (sometimes through a low level stream of water – and mud) as it descends to Portage Lake Overlook where you will see Portage Glacier feeding into Portage Lake.

It’s worth it to make it this far! Here you’ll encounter an exquisite panorama of blue water and ice amidst mountains and lush greenery.

Feel free to turn around here, or if you have extra time you can continue further all the way to the gravel beach at the lake.

This is a 4-mile roundtrip hike that is challenging at the start and extremely rewarding at the end.

It’s one of the most scenic hikes we’ve ever done and by far one of the best hikes in Alaska!

Portage Pass Trail Details

What makes it unique? Portage Pass is the only established trail that allows you to see Portage Glacier on foot.

Most scenic spot on trail: Portage Glacier Overlook where you see the glacier cutting through the mountains and spilling into the lake.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging (steep uphill at beginning, but not technically difficult)

Total hiking time: 2-2.5 hours

How to get there: 11 miles southeast of Girdwood on the Seward Highway, turn east onto Portage Glacier Road. Travel approximately 8.5 miles where you will drive through the Whittier Tunnel (a one-way tunnel that allows eastbound cars to drive through on the half-hour and westbound cars on the hour. Note: there is a tunnel fee of $13.) Once through the tunnel, you’ll see signs. Follow them as you turn right, cross over railroad tracks and the trailhead is on your right.

4. ALYESKA NORTH FACE

If you’re looking for a steep challenge that provides not only dramatic views but a tasty reward at the top, followed by an easy ride back to the start – look no further than the Alyeska North Face Trail.

This 2.5 mile hike takes you up Mount Alyeska beginning at Hotel Alyeska in the town of Girdwood. You start on a dirt road, but approximately 200 yards in you’ll come across steep switchbacks. Eventually you’ll cross meadows, steep slopes and have multiple glaciers come into view. This trail is a fun, albeit challenging, trek up 2,000 feet. While not technically difficult, the hike is very strenuous as it gains a lot of elevation in a short amount of time.

After the challenging hike to the top of Mount Alyeska, you’ll be rewarded with more than one welcome sight. Not only will you encounter stunning views of the Chugach Mountain range, glaciers, and Turnagain Arm, but you can enjoy a refreshing cold beverage at the mountaintop restaurant, and possibly the most welcome sight of all… a tram that promises a quick and easy ride back down to the base of the mountain (for free!)

All you have to do is put in the work of getting up the mountain and you can take it easy from there.

Alyeska North Face Trail Details

What makes it unique? Restaurant at the top and free tram ride down to bottom after a challenging hike up Mount Alyeska.

Most scenic spot on trail: At the top, immediately to the right of tram station (as you look down the mountain) there is a rock. Stand on it, take in the panoramic views and feel like you’re on top of the world.

Difficulty: Challenging (not technically difficult, but strenuous)

Total hiking time: 2-2.5 hours

How to get there: 38 miles south of Anchorage on the Seward Highway, head east on Alyeska Highway into Girdwood. Travel through town to Hotel Alyeska. Trailhead begins at the base of the tram.

5. FLATTOP MOUNTAIN

Flattop Mountain is only a half-hour drive southeast of Anchorage, which makes it popular with people wanting a fun, scenic day hike. While the hike up Flattop Mountain isn’t as challenging as the hike up Alyeska Mountain, this trek can be deceiving. You’ll see why in our article, “What to Expect Climbing Alaska’s Flattop Mountain” which details what you will encounter on this hike, including my personal struggle with the rock scramble.

In short, it’s a fun and interesting hike with unbelievable views of the Chugach Mountains, Turnagain Arm and the city of Anchorage. It’s easily one of the best hikes in Alaska.

Flattop Mountain Trail Details

What makes it unique? Flattop Mountain is Alaska’s most-climbed mountain due to its proximity to Anchorage. The crazy rock scramble at the finish is definitely interesting.

Most scenic spot on trail: The summit by the American flag, but the entire way up the mountain is picturesque. For a unique angle, look straight up the steep rocky trail as you begin the rock scramble.

Difficulty: Moderate

Total hiking time: 2.5-3 hours – with time for multiple picture stops and rest breaks along the way. It can be done faster, however. We talked to a runner (who was clearly training for a race) who sprinted up and down the mountain in 37 minutes!

How to get there: Flattop Mountain trail begins at Glen Alps Trailhead in Chugach State Park. Take the Seward Highway south and turn east on O’Malley Road. Travel approximately 4 miles to Hillside Drive and head south. When you get to Upper Huffman Road, turn toward mountains. After a half mile up the hill stay right on Toilsome Road. The trailhead is at the end of Toilsome Road. It costs $5 to park here.

TWO BONUS TRAILS

I wouldn’t classify the next two trails as being some of the best hikes in Alaska, but if you find yourself with spare time in Seward or Anchorage and want to check out a couple more Alaska hiking trails, these are good options. While not as unique or stunning as the other hikes we recommend, these can be a fun add-on to your day.

*THUNDERBIRD FALLS (northeast of Anchorage)

If you’re making your way north of Anchorage, say to Denali National Park or Talkeetna, you may want to stop off at Thunderbird Falls – a 1.8-mile out and back hike to a 200 ft. high waterfall. This hike is easily accessible as it’s located right off the Glenn Highway, inside Chugach State Park north of Eagle River.

After a short uphill climb at the beginning the trail soon levels off and becomes an easy walk to a viewing deck at the falls. You can also veer off on a side trail that leads down to a creekside path at the bottom of the falls. Either way it’s a scenic view of a rushing waterfall.

Thunderbird Falls Details

Difficulty: Easy

Total hiking time: 30 minutes to 1 hour

How to get there: Near mile marker 25 on the Glenn Highway, take the first exit north of Mirror Lake. Travel less than a mile north on the Old Glenn Highway to the trailhead. There is a $5 parking fee.

*TWO LAKES TRAIL (Seward)

On the edge of downtown Seward, Two Lakes is a short, easy, entirely wooded trail that loops around two lakes. This is an interesting walk as you pass classic spruce and hemlock trees in a lush, temperate rainforest setting.

The gigantic leaves are fun to see, as are the remnants of old cars that supposedly washed up after a 1964 tsunami.

Two Lakes Trail Details

Difficulty: Easy

Total hiking time: 30 minutes to 1 hour

How to get there: You can access the trail where Vista Avenue ends or behind the AVTEC building (Alaska Vocational Technical Center) off of Second Street.

Have you been to Alaska? What do you consider to be one of the best hikes in Alaska? Comment below, we’d love to hear from you!