Exit Glacier Hike

Trip Highlights

Easy and Accessible Hike
Learn About Glacial Changes
Family-Friendly Experience

Description

Discover the dynamic beauty of Exit Glacier on this easy, family-friendly hike. Located in the Kenai Fjords National Park, this tour offers a unique opportunity to learn about the glacier's ever-changing landscape. Perfect for families and nature enthusiasts, this hike is both educational and inspiring, providing insights into the natural world.

Itinerary

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Begin Your Journey

Meet your guide at the SWC shop in downtown Seward for a quick briefing. Your guide will drive you to the trailhead, about 20 minutes away, where you'll embark on the hike towards Exit Glacier.

Kenai Fjords National Park was created to protect the unique landscape of the Harding Icefield: a 700 square mile reservoir of ice high in the mountains of the Kenai Peninsula. As the only road-accessible glacier pouring forth from the icefield, Exit Glacier is a popular destination for tourists and scientists alike.

Hike Through Time

Embark on an adventure through time as you approach the Exit Glacier area, keeping an eye out for man-made and natural signs of this well-documented glacial retreat. Learn how to read the rugged landscape, what the changes here mean for ecosystems past and present, and how they inform our future as well.

We’ll hike along the banks of the roaring glacial outflow towards the perpetually changing face of the glacier. As we wander through cottonwoods, alders, and eventually out onto rugged rocky terrain, the landscape seemingly changes before our eyes.

Listen to the Land

This tour will explore why glaciers in this area are sensitive to the changing climate, how the flora & fauna are adapting and why these changes matter to us today. It’s a great hike for families and guests searching for a meaningful way to explore and learn about this popular area.

Tour info

Duration

4 hours

Group Size

2 to 12

Price starts at

$99

Languages

English

Why take this tour?

Join us for an enlightening journey to Exit Glacier, where you'll witness the power and beauty of nature up close. This easy hike is perfect for families and those looking to learn more about the natural world. With expert guidance and fascinating insights, you'll leave with a greater appreciation for the environment of Alaska.

Included

Guided Hike
Educational Insights
Transportation between our shop in downtown Seward and trailhead
Snacks & hot drinks
Hiking poles (if desired)
Day hiking pack (if needed)

Excluded

Transportation to our downtown location (328 Third Ave)
Gratuity

Frequently asked questions

What should I bring?

Positive attitude, day hiking pack (can be provided if needed), rain jacket & rain pants (can be provided if needed), warm synthetic layers, warm wool socks, hiking boots or sneakers, refillable water bottle, camera. We will provide you with a detailed packing list at time of booking!

Is the tour suitable for young children?

Yes, the tour is designed for families with children aged 6 and up.

Things to know

Activity Level

This is our easiest hike, with gentle grades and a well-maintained trail. Suitable for ages 6 and up.

Hike Length / Terrain Challenges

This hike is 2.5 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of about 300 feet. Although we offer this hike only during the quieter times of day, the trail appeals to a broad audience, so expect to encounter lots of other visitors.

Weather Considerations

We are located at the northern tip of the largest temperate rainforest in the world. Please wear layers and be prepared for rain.

8 Reviews Verified

msschlesinger

16th June 2024

Private guide to exit glacier. Our guide Chris was the best. He was so accommodating and friendly and being so informative. The weather was perfect and we had some great views of the glacier as well a...

Private guide to exit glacier. Our guide Chris was the best. He was so accommodating and friendly and being so informative. The weather was perfect and we had some great views of the glacier as well as the visitors center was very informative.

Austin Countryman

20th December 2023

Incredible! My family and I went on the exit glacier hike with our gallant guide Chris. A true kind soul, under his expert guidance and watchful eye we learned about glaciers, climate change, and unde...

Incredible! My family and I went on the exit glacier hike with our gallant guide Chris. A true kind soul, under his expert guidance and watchful eye we learned about glaciers, climate change, and undertook a true hero's journey. I highly recommend a tour with Seward Wilderness Collective- an organization supporting a great cause!

Kai Brunson

20th November 2023

The hike to Exit Glacier with a guide offered by Seward Wilderness Collective was amazing. Our guide Chris was very knowledgeable about the history of the landscape and about the how much the terrain ...

The hike to Exit Glacier with a guide offered by Seward Wilderness Collective was amazing. Our guide Chris was very knowledgeable about the history of the landscape and about the how much the terrain has changed over time. This was one of the most memorable and important experiences we had in Alaska, and one that many age groups would enjoy.

Makenzie Muilenburg

20th November 2023

What an incredible organization! We did the Exit Glacier hike with Chris and were blown away by how much a guide could add to the experience. Learning about the glacier and how climate has impacted it...

What an incredible organization! We did the Exit Glacier hike with Chris and were blown away by how much a guide could add to the experience. Learning about the glacier and how climate has impacted it has left a lasting impression. We left feeling inspired and absolutely awed by the landscape. And we learned that these are the same folks behind the awesome Seward farmers market we got to check out while on our trip! We picked up some great, truly local, gifts to bring home. Super cool that this group does so much in the Seward community!

John S

12th November 2023

I expected a pleasant easy walk in the woods, with some tidbits of information along the way. What I got was a very visual lesson in glacial retraction.The forest was intoxicatingly fresh and beautifu...

I expected a pleasant easy walk in the woods, with some tidbits of information along the way. What I got was a very visual lesson in glacial retraction.The forest was intoxicatingly fresh and beautiful , and the day we were there presented the possibility of seeing a moose. Our guide allowed for self-discovery, versus behind spoon-fed facts, while being there to answer any questions we had. Get to know the intimate parts of Alaska with this company. They are personalable, knowledgeable, and demonstrate a real love and respect for nature.

KeriD

28th July 2023

Loved our family tour hike of the Exit Glacier with Leni. Her background is in geology so she was able to tell us so much about the rocks, glaciers, the evolution and erosion of life on the Exit Glaci...

Loved our family tour hike of the Exit Glacier with Leni. Her background is in geology so she was able to tell us so much about the rocks, glaciers, the evolution and erosion of life on the Exit Glacier. She knew a lot about the receding glacier as well as the succession of growth and scientific aging of the glacier boundaries. The hike was at our pace and allowed us freedom to ask lots of questions and go where we were interested. Our group ranged from a 10 year old to parents/adults.

scouch71

16th June 2022

I took my two young adult sons on a long-awaited trip to Alaska and a hike with Claire from Seward Wilderness Collection was our most memorable experience! Claire actually read my sign up survey and k...

I took my two young adult sons on a long-awaited trip to Alaska and a hike with Claire from Seward Wilderness Collection was our most memorable experience! Claire actually read my sign up survey and knew what kind of experience I was hoping for. She was professional and kind and thoughtful. We hiked partially up Exit Glacier and saw some amazing views. The hike was the perfect difficulty level for us also. Seward Wilderness Collective is obviously a great company with knowledgeable guides. I would highly recommend SWC!

cammartin18

3rd September 2021

We went on the Exit Glacier hike with Seward Collective and it was amazing, there local insights, perspectives and knowledge turned a normal hike into a deep connection and learning experience. Shout out to Guide Clare!

Trip Highlights

Easy and Accessible Hike

Learn About Glacial Changes

Family-Friendly Experience

Description