Top Alaska Nature Walks - page 2

Connect with authentic Alaska. Embark on a thrilling cruise to Metlakatla, Alaska’s only Native reserve, and hike the scenic Yellow Hill Trail, where you’ll uncover ancient petroglyphs and enjoy stunning panoramic views. Delight in a traditional Tsimshian dance at the community longhouse and explore the vibrant Artists Village. On the return journey to Ketchikan, savor locally caught sockeye salmon and watch for wildlife, all while enjoying complimentary hot beverages. Connect with authentic Alaska and book your adventure today!

Look for loons and kingfishers on the lakes and moose and bears in the woods. This lush old-growth forest is alive with songbirds, wildflowers, berries, and mushrooms. Your guide will share stories about wildlife encounters, life in Talkeetna, and how the area’s Athabascan Native peoples thrived in this wild land. The fresh air, exercise, and a healthy homemade snack will renew and invigorate you, no matter the weather!

Easily as beautiful as any national park, Chugach State Park is a must-see for any Alaskan visitor—and Barbara Falls is one of its crown jewels. In winter, the crowds dissipate and the cascade freezes up, making for an incredible winter-wonderland experience (and spectacular photos). Just minutes away from the trailhead, this experience is suitable for all hikers, children, and anyone who can bundle up and appreciate Alaska’s great outdoors.

Alaska Nature Immersion offers Forest Therapy in the beauty of the Alaskan Wilderness. This practice, inspired by Japanese Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing), provides you with a transformative experience to promote healing and wellness through immersion in the forest, fostering a deeper connection to nature. We aim to facilitate moments of mindfulness, gratitude and rejuvenation, allowing you to tap into the restorative power of the natural world. The tour takes place in the sanctuary of Haines, Alaska, where mountains rise high from the coastal fjords, the oceans teem with wildlife and rivers flow from glacial waters. Your Forest Therapy Guide is certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. You will be fully immersed in the healing energy of the forest by connecting deeply with your senses. Forest Therapy is more than a simple walk in the woods; it's a journey of self-discovery, a meditation in motion and communion with nature.

Kennecott, Alaska is a ghost town frozen in time. When the Kennecott Copper Corporation abruptly abandoned the town in 1938, they left behind their equipment, buildings, and personal belongings; yet, their stories of discovery, perseverance, and ingenuity live on! St. Elias Alpine Guides holds the exclusive concession with the National Park Service, and access to the 14-story Concentration Mill is only possible through this tour. Come see what it was like to live and work in this remote wilderness as you tour the town site with one of our knowledgeable guides. Listen to tales of lucky fortunes, tenacious frontiersmen, and tragic endings. Gain exclusive access to explore inside the 14-story mill building and several other historic buildings when you join our tour! Our 2-hour historic Mill Town Tour is a must-do for anyone visiting Kennecott, Alaska!

Discover Mindfulness in the Wilderness on a guided journey through Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, where towering trees, lush greenery, and pristine trails set the stage for connection and reflection. Along the way, you’ll learn about local medicinal and edible plants before arriving at a secluded beach for a guided mindfulness session that calms the mind and grounds the spirit. The experience ends with a taste of Juneau’s best local cuisine, blending adventure, wellness, and Alaska’s natural beauty into one unforgettable experience.

Travel along the Turnagain Arm on a round-trip journey from Anchorage to Seward aboard the Coastal Classic Train. Make the most of your chance to admire the rugged coastline, Chugach Mountains, river canyons, glaciers, waterfalls, and backcountry wilderness on one of the Alaska Railroad's most scenic sections. Enjoy free time in Seward before the return ride in the evening.

Experience Denali National Park from the air and at ground level. This small-group tour begins with a scenic flight by floatplane over the tundra, spruce forest, and glaciers—home to wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou, and Dall sheep. Afterward, you'll land at a remote lodge near Denali to embark on a guided hike with lunch included. Hotel pickup is also provided for added convenience.

Experience Alaska’s forests and tundra from the only zipline course in the Denali National Park region. Soar over the trees during a half-day ziplining experience just outside the national park. Guides lead you along a course with six suspension bridges and seven ziplines. Remember to pause and admire the landscape on this memorable tour that promises exhilarating thrills, incredible scenery, and a fun challenge.

Both the US and Canada have a rich history of logging and lumberjacking. Cheer on your favorite team as you watch Alaskan and British Columbian woodsmen chop, saw, roll logs, and throw axes as they compete in the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. Then, join in the fun as you learn how to throw a double-bit axe for yourself, trying to best your fellow attendees.

If you don't have the time, or the expertise required, to go on a glacier expedition on foot, a helicopter tour is a great way to see the glaciers surrounding Anchorage. This tour takes you over spectacular scenery and makes three landings—one alpine, one on an ice wall, and one in the middle of Knik Glacier—where you can get out and explore with your guide. You also have the possibility of seeing mountain goats, Dall sheep, moose, and, in the summer months, bears and wolves. Note: in winter, the helicopter lands next to the glacier.

Whale watching and visiting the Mendenhall Glacier are two of the most popular activities around Juneau — they're essential experiences for any local tourist that you won't want to miss. Check them both off your list on this half-day combo tour that includes flexible departure times and round-trip transportation from Mt. Roberts Tramway, making it ideal for a shore excursion or quick trip.

Experience 3 iconic Alaskan adventures—flightseeing, glacier hiking, and packrafting—all in just 5 hours! This Packraft adventure begins with a scenic flight that will head towards the mouth of the Taku Inlet. After landing on the Norris Glacier fed lake, hike over the glacially carved terrain to a cove where your packraft awaits. From here, you will be outfitted in single person packrafts and introduced paddling techniques by your guides. Once you launch your packraft, your paddle to the glacier will take you past ice bergs to the Norris Glacier. As you approach the glacier, prepare to beach your boat right on the Norris Glacier. Trade out paddles for micro-spikes and explore the moonscape-like area of the glacier all by foot and get panoramic views of Norris and Taku glaciers. Look for crevasses, glacier pools, moulins, and other incredible ice features. Upon completion of your glacier hike, paddle back to shore. Your floatplane awaits to take you back to Juneau.

Explore the snow-covered wilderness of the Glen Alps in Chugach State Park on this private advanced snowshoe tour. Follow your naturalist guide through alpine meadows and hemlock forests, admire views of Anchorage Bowl, Cook Inlet, and glacial valleys, and watch for wildlife. Snowshoes provided, with gaiters, poles, and daypack available by request.

Challenge yourself in the wilds of Alaska on a full-day alpine hiking tour on White Pass, a scenic ridge bordering the Yukon Territory. Depending on the season, trek through wildflower fields, scramble over boulders, or use crampons and ice picks for a snowy ascent to the summit of Feather Peak or Mount Cleveland. This mountaineering adventure is designed for experienced hikers and climbers.

Discover the natural beauty of Chugach State Park on a day hike led by your own private guide. Your hike can range from four to 13 miles, with an elevation gain of 500 to 3,000 feet — how long and how far you’d like to soak up incredible mountain scenery and spot wildlife like eagles and moose is up to you. Pick up fascinating facts about the local geology and park history along the way. Lunch and hotel transport from Anchorage are included.

Conquer the Ice: Exit Glacier Ice Climbing Adventure in Kenai Fjords National Park Step into a world of ice and adventure with our Exit Glacier Ice Climbing Tour! Located in the breathtaking Kenai Fjords National Park, this epic experience takes you onto the ancient ice of Exit Glacier, where you’ll scale shimmering blue walls, navigate dramatic crevasses, and immerse yourself in Alaska’s wild beauty. Whether you’re a first-time climber or a seasoned adventurer, our expert guides will equip you with the skills and confidence to ascend this frozen wonderland. Get ready for the thrill of a lifetime—no experience necessary!

Follow the story of the Mat-Su Valley from mountain pass to hometown streets on this relaxed heritage day trip. Travel from Anchorage into Hatcher Pass to explore the preserved Independence Mine and hear how mining and early settlement shaped the region. Then return to downtown Palmer to slow down over lunch at Palmer Alehouse, with an included tasting flight (or a non-alcoholic option). With scenic views throughout and time to enjoy each stop, this tour blends history, landscape, and local flavor in one easy day.

A taste of Palmer - we'll head to a glacial valley in scenic Hatcher Pass for a mellow 4-mile, out-and-back hike on a flat, well-maintained trail. Along the way, learn about how glaciers carved the Mint Valley and what prospectors found while panning in the early 20th century. We'll stop at an old beaver damn for snacks and a water break before heading back to the trailhead. Following our valley walk, we'll stop at a local brewery (non-alcoholic options available). Learn about the brewers, discover what's crafted using locally harvested ingredients, and sip on a beverage.

Get a quick introduction to the Alaskan tradition of ice fishing in the Chena Lakes Recreation Area. Your guides provide all the necessary equipment—rod, bait, heated shelters, underwater cameras—and serve a grilled fish dinner once the fishing is done. You can fish from the heated cabins and shelters, or move outside to try your hand in the open elements.

Discover the picturesque scenery of Alaska aboard the Coastal Classic Train from Anchorage to Seward. Travel along the rugged coastline of the Turnagain Arm and then through Alaskan backcountry wilderness and watch for views of glaciers, steep river canyons, and waterfalls during the journey. The train arrives in Seward early in the day, leaving plenty of time to explore on your own or book other excursions.

Alaskans have been snowshoeing for millennia—try the sport when you’re here, and you’ll be a part of tradition. Your naturalist guide will meet you in Chugach State Park, showing you just how easy and rewarding snowshoeing can be. With unbelievable views of Cook Inlet, Anchorage Bowl, and likely wildlife sightings along the way, you’ll float above the snow in the park’s Glen Alps, a snowshoe lover in the making.

Treat yourself to an abundance of wildlife viewing with this 4-hour Kenai Fjords cruise in Resurrection Bay from Seward Harbor. Travel 55 miles (round-trip) along a rugged coastline and snap plenty of memorable photos as you sail past Bear Glacier. Sail close to sea lion colonies and seabird rookeries, and keep your eyes peeled for whales, sea otters, Dall’s porpoises, eagles and mountain goats.

Explore Chugach State Park's Eagle River trail system without the risk of getting lost when you hike on a small-group guided tour. Lovers of the outdoors won't want to miss the opportunity to hike through boreal forests and glaciated valleys, to see where salmon spawn, and to spot wildlife like bears, moose, and birds. Meet your guide at a designated spot and enjoy a moderate five-hour hike.