Top Alaska Glacier Walks

It’s not every day you get the chance to hike along the base of a 26-mile-long active glacier! Join the original guiding company on the Matanuska, founded over 35 years ago, and explore the awe-inspiring beauty of one of Alaska's most accessible glaciers on foot with NOVA’s new Family Glacier Tour—perfect for all ages! Our expert guides will tailor the experience to your abilities, ensuring that everyone from kids to grandparents enjoys a memorable and fun adventure on the Matanuska Glacier. This relaxed-paced tour offers the ideal way to share the beauty of Alaska’s glaciers with your whole family. You’ll be outfitted with the necessary gear and transported by vehicle to the glacier’s terminus at the edge of the park. From there, our guides will lead you through the rocky fields of the massive terminal moraine, all the way to the stunning 'Ice Falls.' Be sure to stop by the on-site coffee shop to warm up and unwind after your adventure.

Explore the wilderness outside Anchorage with a local guide who knows where to spot wildlife and gain the best views throughout the year. Enter the Chugach National Forest to search for moose, bear, and other native wildlife. You’ll also visit Glacier Valley, home to several “hanging” glaciers and a lake of pure glacier water.

Nature lovers can spend the day exploring the Matanuska Glacier on a hiking tour that traverses the glacier’s picturesque terrain. Along the way, your guide teaches you about the dynamic glacial features including seracs, moulons, and crevasses. While it is easy to get views of the glacier on your own, a guided hike on the glacier itself provides a completely different perspective of the otherworldly landscape.

Discover the thrill of Backcountry Ice Climbing with NOVA’s expert guides! Whether you're a beginner or looking to try something new, our introductory ice climbing experience offers an accessible and exciting way to challenge yourself in the stunning surroundings of the Matanuska Glacier. No prior experience is necessary—just a sense of adventure and a willingness to learn! Join the original guiding company on the Matanuska Glacier, founded over 30 years ago, and experience the awe-inspiring beauty of one of Alaska’s most accessible glaciers. You’ll be outfitted with top-of-the-line gear, and our expert guides will provide all the instruction you need to safely learn the fundamentals of ice climbing. Explore the glacier’s frozen landscape as you climb its ice walls, gaining new skills while taking in breathtaking views of this natural wonder. Let’s go—reach new heights and experience the thrill of ice climbing on the Matanuska Glacier!

Join us for an unforgettable journey to the breathtaking Matanuska Glacier! Your adventure starts in downtown Anchorage, where you’ll board our comfortable van for a scenic two-hour drive north. Enjoy stunning Alaskan views and insightful commentary from your guide along the way. At the glacier, our expert guides will lead you on a two-hour trek across ancient ice, showcasing its incredible features. Learn about the glacier’s history and impact on the landscape. The moderate hike requires good balance, sturdy knees, and proper footwear. We provide all necessary glacier gear, including helmets and microspikes. After the trek, warm up with a hearty lunch at a nearby lodge with stunning glacier views. Snacks and water will be available throughout the trip. Conclude the day with a comfortable ride back to Anchorage, with drop-off at major downtown hotels. Our passionate glacier guides rely on tips to continue providing these exceptional experiences.

Discover hidden, hard-to-reach features away from the crowds! Join the original guiding company on the Matanuska Glacier, founded over 30 years ago, and experience the breathtaking beauty of one of Alaska’s most accessible glaciers on foot with NOVA’s Adventure Trek. Outfitted with top-of-the-line gear, the Adventure Trek is personalized with a 1:4 guide-to-client ratio, ensuring a tailored experience based on the group’s physical abilities and preferences. This challenging adventure takes hikers beyond the popular ‘Ice Falls’ area, deep into the heart of the Matanuska Glacier!

Experience the Mendenhall Glacier Guide Hike, a thrilling 6-7 mile adventure! Your journey begins with a 3-mile trek through the Tongass National Forest, the world's largest temperate rainforest. Your experienced guide will lead you through this wilderness, winding past beaver ponds and scrambling up exposed glacial terrain, where the trail fades into the wild. Upon emerging from the forest and reaching the final ridge, you'll be greeted by the breathtaking view of the Mendenhall Glacier's jagged facade and its ice river. Here, we savor panoramic views of the glacier, indulge in hearty snacks, and capture awe-inspiring photos. Gaze upon the glacier's deep blue crevasses, cascading icefall, surrounding mountains and Nugget Falls. This hiking tour is not for the faint of heart; it demands exceptional balance and sure-footedness. The trail includes 800 feet of elevation gain, through rocky, uneven, and slippery terrain. It's a memorable journey that promises unforgettable views.

Alaska's dramatic glaciers are best experienced up close, and this full-day tour takes you right to them. Heading out from Juneau on a purpose-built expedition vessel, explore the Tracy Arm Wilderness Area from a vantage point on the water—a perspective many travelers miss. Snap photos of pristine scenery and experience the area's natural wonders from the comfort of the boat during this 8.5-hour adventure.

Pair a helicopter flight over the glaciers of Juneau Icefield with a dogsled ride, and you have the perfect Alaska experience. After flying over breathtaking scenery, land at a remote glacier camp for a ride of a lifetime: you’re pulled by Alaskan huskies across fields blanketed with snow, surrounded by towering mountains. Listen to the race stories of struggle and victory from Iditarod mushers, and get in the spirit by dressing up in original Iditarod dogsled gear for memorable photos. Please note that the shuttle will pick up one hour before listed flight time.

Willow, Alaska is famed for its association with the Iditarod. This tour gives you a taste of life on the trail, without the hard work. At the family-owned and operated kennel, you'll meet the huskies and enjoy views of Denali as a musher leads your pack along private trails. The experience is wheelchair and stroller accessible, welcoming a wider range of travelers.

Take in the glaciers, mountains, and fjords of the Kenai Peninsula on a tour that combines a helicopter flight with a snowmobile tour of Godwin Glacier to fit two epic excursions into one day. Ideal for visitors looking for a remote Alaskan adventure, a helicopter provides access to the difficult-to-reach glacier and doubles as a sightseeing flight.