Harding Icefield Hike

Trip Highlights

Tackle the park’s most challenging and iconic hike
Gain expansive views of the Harding Icefield
Learn about the wildlife and wild flowers

Description

Challenge yourself with the Harding Icefield Hike, a strenuous and rewarding experience that offers some of the most breathtaking views in Alaska. This full-day adventure takes you up the Harding Icefield Trail, where you'll be surrounded by the stunning beauty of the Kenai Fjords National Park. Led by a passionate and knowledgeable guide, this hike is perfect for those seeking an experience that goes beyond simply sightseeing — this tour offers a chance to truly connect with the land, its stories, and its people.

Itinerary

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Start Your Adventure

Meet your guide and prepare for a challenging hike up the Harding Icefield Trail. We'll have a quick briefing at the shop before driving about 20 minutes to the trailhead.

Ascend the Trail

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 get out in front of most visitors, many of whom stick to the lower nature trails rather than ascending the Harding Icefield Trail. After a few minutes of flat walking, our ascent begins in earnest and the ecosystem around us changes as we climb.

Reach the Icefield

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 gain a sense of accomplishment reaching the end of the trail; but even if you don’t go all the way, the route 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.

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. Enjoy a picnic lunch before descending back to the trailhead.

Tour info

Duration

8 hours

Group Size

2 to 12

Price starts at

$149

Languages

English

Why take this tour?

Step into a world shaped by ice and time on our Harding Icefield Hike — an adventure that connects you to the forces that have carved Alaska's landscape and nurtured its ecosystems for millennia. We are all here because of the glaciers that flow from the Harding Icefield. These rivers of ice have shaped the rugged landscapes beneath our feet, enriched our oceans with essential nutrients, and gifted us a sense of awe that words can scarcely capture. This experience is more than just a hike — it’s a journey through time, revealing the story of how ice, rock, and water continue to shape our world.

Travel through this stunning landscape, where every step tells a story of resilience and transformation. From towering peaks to verdant valleys, this journey invites you to witness the interconnectedness of Alaska’s natural world and reflect on your role within it. As you trek through lush forests, traverse alpine meadows, and approach the ancient ice itself, you'll learn the rich ecological and cultural history of this place. Every step offers a chance to connect with the land, understand its stories, and see firsthand why this place matters.

Included

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

Excluded

Transportation to the Meeting Point (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!

Things to know

Activity Level

Very strenuous and suitable for ages 12 and up.

Hike Length / Terrain Challenges

We will travel a total of 8 miles round trip and gain around 3,800 feet of elevation throughout the hike. Includes roots, stone steps, uneven terrain, and in some years late-lying snow patches at high elevations.

Weather Considerations

Dress in layers and rain gear; we are located at the northern tip of the world's largest temperate rainforest forest. Be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions.

6 Reviews Verified

Catherine Incledon

20th March 2024

My siblings and I visited Seward in August and wanted to hike, but were concerned about encountering bears, so we booked a hike with a tour guide. I'm so grateful we did because Chris made our hike so...

My siblings and I visited Seward in August and wanted to hike, but were concerned about encountering bears, so we booked a hike with a tour guide. I'm so grateful we did because Chris made our hike so much fun and informational in addition to educating us about how to stay safe from bears. I would highly recommend booking a hike with this company.

Christopher Busch

20th December 2023

My wife and I were a little nervous about hiking in Alaska so we decided to hire a guide for our trek to the Harding Icefield and I’m glad we did. Not only did we feel more secure with a guide (Ryan...

My wife and I were a little nervous about hiking in Alaska so we decided to hire a guide for our trek to the Harding Icefield and I’m glad we did. Not only did we feel more secure with a guide (Ryan) who’s properly trained with bear spray, but we actually had some interesting conversations along the way. Good thing too cause that hike is no joke! It helped take our minds off the climb to chat with Ryan and hear his perspective on things. A great hike with a company that does good work, and really good granola bars

Carl Hayes

20th November 2023

Hiking Exit Glacier and Harding Ice Field with SWC guide Chris was incredible! What a beautiful national park so close to Seward, and what an easy way to see and learn about something that may soon be...

Hiking Exit Glacier and Harding Ice Field with SWC guide Chris was incredible! What a beautiful national park so close to Seward, and what an easy way to see and learn about something that may soon become the stuff of legend, glaciers. Chris was informative and engaging as we made our way through trees, infographics, and wildlife on our way to the Exit Glacier. We saw FIVE MOOSE! With great weather, we were able to trek all the way to the Harding Ice Fields which was truly an unbelievable sight. SWC guide Chris assisted us and accentuated our experience with his local knowledge the entire way up and back. As a first time visitor to Alaska, this was exactly the sort of guided experience I was looking for. I would definitely recommend and reach out to SWC again.

Catherine M

22nd June 2023

My family had an amazing hike with SWC guide Leni, who was incredibly knowledgeable about the area’s flora and fauna. The day hike was completely tailored to our groups ability level and Leni was ve...

My family had an amazing hike with SWC guide Leni, who was incredibly knowledgeable about the area’s flora and fauna. The day hike was completely tailored to our groups ability level and Leni was very receptive to what we wanted to get out of our experience. Great food and gear provided as well. Can’t recommend highly enough.

Brian Emerson

20th November 2020

We did a guided hike on the Harding ice field trail and it was amazing. Emily our guide was a real scientist and had a wealth of knowledge and the enthusiasm to share it. I learned a ton, got a great workout and had so much fun!

Emily Pennington

20th November 2020

I have far too many good things to say about Seward Wilderness Collective to fit in this little review, but I'll try! First off, our guide, Emily, was incredible. A trained biologist who works in Anta...

I have far too many good things to say about Seward Wilderness Collective to fit in this little review, but I'll try! First off, our guide, Emily, was incredible. A trained biologist who works in Antarctica during the winters (yes, really!), she was an absolute beacon of friendly help and a font of knowledge. She knew tons about different edible berries, helped us spot a bear and a hoary marmot, and explained tons of incredible facts about glaciers and whales and the diverse yet fragile ecosystem of Kenai Fjords National Park. The company is a locally owned and run Seward small business, and they are so professional and kind. From the van pick ups to the gear loans to the sack lunches they pack, they really have their stuff together and provided us with the best guides of our entire 5-week Alaska journey to see every park!

Trip Highlights

Tackle the park’s most challenging and iconic hike

Gain expansive views of the Harding Icefield

Learn about the wildlife and wild flowers

Description