Exit Glacier Nature Hike

Looking for a Scenic Hike in the Kenai Fjords National Park? Look no further!

The Exit Glacier Overlook Loop Trail is a great way to get out and enjoy Alaska’s nature and beautiful landscapes! This 2.2-mile and well-maintained primitive loop trail is an easy to moderate trail (depending on the hiker) with stunning views of the Kenai Fjords National Park. It winds its way through a glaciated forest of tall spruce, cottonwood and birch trees.

Hike over 12ft tall dated terminal moraines of Exit Glacier, if you’re lucky you might get to spot a moose, bear or mountain goat. Keep a keen eye out for quartz veins, iron and copper deposits along the trail. Hike along the river that cuts under Exit Glacier aiding in its movement down the valley. Enjoy massive views of glacial cut valleys, see if you can spot all the glaciers hiding in those mountain tops!

Alaska has over 100,000 glaciers to see. Come with us to see the one that has had the biggest impact on Seward and so many that have visited it. Exit Glacier has played such a big part in Seward’s History and has even helped keep the economy from crashing here. We are honored to be able to share this magnificent icon of Seward with you.

Our guided hike is a great way to get the bigger picture of the impact and history of this awe-inspiring glacier on us as individuals and as a community. Our guide will hike with you through the trail systems, offering a wealth of knowledge of the area from the local flora and fauna, geology, glaciology, glaciation, the history of Seward, and of course we have to throw in some groan worthy jokes along the way! Our Guides always carry bear spray, 1st Aid Kits and SAT Phone or InReach on all our Guided Hikes.

What To Expect

• This hike takes on average 2hrs round trip and it gains almost 250ft over a little more than a mile. So as a good reference to decide if you are capable of this hike, you should be able to climb two flights of stairs without stopping, and be able to hike for 2hrs straight. Our guides take plenty of breaks along the trail to give interp and allow a breather. On request our guides will stop at the Kenai Fjords National Park sign for you to grab a picture and/or to visit the Exit Glacier Nature Center (it closes early September). We do NOT climb on the glacier!
• Is there any wildlife viewing? – We will almost always see squirrels and birds! Oh, you want to see more? Well in that case, we do have the chance to see moose, bears and even mountain goats! But those squirrels and birds are pretty cool too.
• Wait … did you say bears!? – Yes! Believe it or not, Alaska is Bear Country and we always have a chance of running into some. Our guides are trained to avoid bear encounters, de-escalate a bear encounter if it were to happen, and if needed use bear spray.
• How many people are on the hikes? – We keep a guide ratio of 1:14 for our hikes. This does not mean every hike will have this ratio, but it will not exceed this amount. This is a group activity; we will move as fast as our slowest hiker. Don’t want to join a group hike? Check out our private trip options!

What’s Included

• We supply trekking poles and of course passionate Guide!
• Pick up/drop off to and from our local Seward hotels, lodges and campgrounds
• Great scenery!

What To Bring

• Always bring layers and rain gear. Most people dress too heavily for this trip but it is better to have too much than too little.
• Hiking boots, hat, sunglasses, binoculars and did we mention rain gear?
• Water bottle and snacks
• A good camera
• Gratuity for your amazing Guide!

What to Consider

This hiking experience goes rain or shine, there can be a definite change in temperature as you get close to the glacier with breezes blowing down from the ice field. We recommend that you take an extra layer if you typically are cold natured. The hiking trail is a partially blacktop trail that turns into an undeveloped hiking trail which can be slippery and challenging to people that are not used to hiking nature trails. At points you will hike on gravel, climb on a slightly steep rocky slope and encounter a narrow beam bridge crossing a small drainage. If you consider yourself unstable with walking on a undeveloped trail as described, we recommend that you do not participate with this hike for your safety!

A signed assumption of risk and acknowledgement of risks is required for anyone to participate!