Harding Icefield Hike

Hike the Harding Icefield Trail in Kenai Fjords National Park

Few scenes in the world compare to the view across the frozen expanse of the 700-square-mile Harding Icefield. Sharp nunataks (lone peaks) break the white horizon, glaciers spill from the ice field’s edge, and mountains fill the frame in every direction.

You’ll be impressed by the sheer power of the place and the fleeting nature of this precarious landscape in a changing world. You’ll also gain a sense of accomplishment reaching the end of the trail; but even if you don’t go all the way, this high alpine trek will take you through wildflower-strewn meadows, offer the chance to spot mountain wildlife (like marmots, goats, and black bears), and grant you a new perspective on the shifting natural world.

As the only land-accessible glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park, Exit Glacier draws many visitors for its unparalleled scenery. The Harding Icefield Trail starts near the Exit Glacier area and ascends alongside the glacier with spectacular views of its crevasses and moraines (glacial deposits). We’ll start early in the morning to beat the crowds.