Summer Valley and Forest Hike

Recommended by 97% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Anchorage, USA

5 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.8

· Saloni_S ·

Sep 2025

The hike is beautiful. Matt was our guide and gave us a lot of information about the flora and fauna. He knows the scientific names of ALL the mushrooms we saw. The view at the river was amazing. Hiking up to the waterfalls was a little tricky but Matt guided us well to ensure we were all safe. We saw moose and multiple rare birds.

· Manoj_V ·

Aug 2025

We had great experience with our guide Mac and other hikers in our party. It was a relaxing hike and we also got a glimpse of a bear.

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Overview

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.

Ideal for solo travelers who don't want to hike alone
A reindeer sausage or cheese stick snack is included
Receive personalized attention from your naturalist guide
Day packs and trekking poles can be provided on request

What's Included

Day packs and trekking poles available upon request.
Snacks

Granola bar, apple, and cheese stick

No hotel, B&B, Air B&B, or other accommodation pickups.
Must meet at designated meeting location or provide own transportation to trailhead.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center
555 W 5th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA
We meet outside the Egan Center. Please be parked and ready 15 minutes before the start time to ensure a timely departure. All tours leave no later than 5 minutes after the start time. There is no parking at the Egan Center. The JCPenney Parking Garage is the closest option, at 414 W 6th Ave.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Chugach State Park

4 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Not wheelchair accessible

Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Experience Suggestions: No experienced required, but you should be able to walk at least 7 miles on flat pavement, or 5 miles of uneven rolling terrain over the course of roughly 4 hours. Some parts of the trail are steep and hilly, placing additional stress on areas of the body not impacted by level terrain. Not recommended for those with cardiac or respiratory issues/illness. May be difficult for those with severe joint issues.
Participation waiver signature required prior to departure.
If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know and we will accommodate you with a different snack option.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Joshua_D

This was the best part of my Alaska trip! This tour starts at an easy-to-find location and van was large and clean. Mike was our guide, he was friendly and provided clear directions. He also offered lots of information on the environment. They provided snacks and water, we enjoyed our snacks while staring out on the river. The hike was quite magical, so much to see but also just to be out doors and enjoy the peace and quiet. We also visited a super awesome waterfall. Lots of opportunities to take pictures! Mike was great and had a cool Kurt Russell type of vibe. You’ll be in good hands! Great trip, definitely recommend.

Reviews

4.8

based on 62 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Nature, Flora, Fauna

Lynn_P, Sep 2025

Nice activity, beautiful landscape. We enjoyed the knowledge of very friendly guides. Not too brisk or challenging.

Beautiful hike

Saloni_S, Sep 2025

Wonderful 1/2 day of scenery and information

Frederick_K, Aug 2025

Our tour guide Michael was awesome! A nice combination of local info, history, and general knowledge.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

We love to hear it! Thank you for coming out with us!

Stefan was a great guide!...

McKenzie_L, Aug 2025

Stefan was a great guide! He made conversation flow very easily and supplied many great facts about Anchorage.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Stefan has been a fantastic addition to our team this year. Thank you for joining us and taking the time to leave a review!

We had great experience...

Manoj_V, Aug 2025

We had great experience with our guide Mac and other hikers in our party. It was a relaxing hike and we also got a glimpse of a bear.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Yes! So glad that you were able to see a bear on your tour. Glad to hear about your experience with your guide and the pacing of the tour. Take Care.

Take a hike - this one will leave you refreshed!

Jennifer_V, Jul 2025

I have no regrets about booking this hike and tour. The guide, Eli, was passionate, extremely knowledgeable, and really connected with the individuals in the group genuinely. He was organized, kept everything on time and showed us some great spots and notable things along the way related to plants, animals, etc. Highly recommend this tour as a way to visit a state park.

A must do!

Joshua_D, Jul 2025

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Okay, I may never be unable to see Mike as Kurt Russell now, haha! So thank you for that, and thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We love Mike, and I'm glad you had a great experience with us!

Max was a very friendly...

Eleanor_C, Jun 2025

Max was a very friendly and knowledgeable guide, eager to share knowledge and chat to us while walking. Everything was smoothly managed and we had an amazing time!

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Max has been an incredible addition to our team, and we are very luck to have him! I'm glad you all had a great time, and thank you for taking the time to leave a review.

Fun day with nice sights

Susan_M, Jun 2024

Had the best time with Abe as our guide! A small group (just me, Abe, and Harriet!) but a wonderful trip. Awesome scenery and I even learned a thing or two about birds. Abe was a great guide and attentive to the needs and interests of the group. Fun day all around.

Response from Host, Jul 2024

Wonderful, Susan! Abe brings to us a wealth of expertise from his time as a hunting guide in Alaska. He's truly a remarkable guide, and I'm glad your tour was no exception with his care. Thanks again for taking your time to leave us a review :)

Great day

Sharon_B, May 2024

The moose. Guide )Mike) was good, kept a good pace for all, educated about flora and fauna. A great day.

Response from Host, May 2024

Hi Sharon. Thanks for taking the time to leave us a review about your experience on our valley & forest hike. We'll let Mike know about your trip with him. If you have the ability, I'd love to hear about how we could have made your 4 star experienced a 5 star. Give us a call or leave us a message. Thanks!

Beautiful trail

Venkata_T, Jul 2023

Beautiful trail with experienced guide, we very much enjoyed this guided trail admiring the Alaskan range

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Hello and thank you for your review! I'm glad you enjoyed your experience with us, soaking in the beautiful landscape that Alaska offers. Please let us know if we can help you again in the future!

Our guide, Britt, was...

Leah_R, Jul 2023

Our guide, Britt, was outgoing as well as sensitive to the needs of the individuals in our group. Her knowledge of the area, the plants and trees we saw on the trail, as well as the animals we might have seen, was impressive. The 3-mile Eagle River trail was easy to navigate and it was beautiful!

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thank you for coming out with us! I'll pass your kind words to Britt!

Amazing tour! It was a...

Siobhan_C, May 2023

Amazing tour! It was a small group. The hike was at a moderate pace and the guides were fantastic!!!

Response from Host, May 2023

Great to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks for joining us!

Relaxing

Ntaria_L, Sep 2022

It was an amazing trip. Everything you need after a busy week. I had really great time with our guide Rebecca and couple from san Francisco.

Response from Host, Sep 2022

Hello and thank you for your review! So nice to hear that our tour was great fit for you, and you had a top-notch experience with Rebecca and the other guests. Let us know if we can be of service in the future! Take Care.

10/10 recommend

Sarah_D, Aug 2022

I had such a wonderful time with this hike. The waterfall was so beautiful and we even saw a moose eating berries up close! Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. I’m so grateful to have had this experience.

Response from Host, Aug 2022

Amazing! We’re so glad you were able to see some awesome Alaskan wildlife in action. Come back and see us again if you’re around!

Rename hike to stroll

donnaniegel, Jul 2022

Lovely visitor center at start of trail head. This is an EASY stroll, the guide was very knowledgeable and stopped VERY often to identify plants. I would have preferred to hike more and stop less, in fact , this was just a nature walk. Best part was the add on to Barbara Falls, a fun short hike into a beautiful waterfall.

Response from Host, Aug 2022

Thanks for leaving us a review. Your experience in stopping more than you expected is noted. We've done our best to look into how to make this tour match your description and have some ideas we hope to implement soon. Cheers!

Trail reservation for 1, please…

Heather_G, Aug 2021

What a fantastic hike! Our guide was very knowledgeable about the wildlife, flora and fauna. I would definitely recommend this experience to any solo explorers that enjoy time on the trail.

Response from Host, Oct 2021

Glad to hear! Thanks for the review!

Great nature hike

Pauline_P, Aug 2021

We Loved the hiking trail! It was my favorite activity in Anchorage! Madison was a great guide. Very accommodating, knowledgeable of plants and nature. My daughter loved it too. This got me interested to do More hiking in Alaska and have ti return soon. And to read up about plants and birds : of Alaska and California, already. ordered books. We hiked Aug 7 but couldn’t review because the link wasn’t working. Thanks Madison and Viator.

Response from Host, Oct 2021

Glad to hear you had a great time! We hope to see you again!

fun :)

Melanie_B, Aug 2021

Leah was a very knowledgeable guide! The views were beautiful and it was a fairly easy hike! Highly recommend!!

Response from Host, Oct 2021

Leah knows everything! Thanks for the feedback!

Even in the rain a wonderful tour!

Brenda_J, Aug 2021

The most memorable part of my trip was the unexpected visit to Thunderbird Falls. It was magnificent!!! Chelsea was the best tour guide with so much knowledge of the woods.

Response from Host, Oct 2021

Glad to hear, thanks for coming out with us!

Great experience and fantastic Guide

David_C, Jul 2021

Seeing wild moose and fantastic waterfall. Guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. Definitely worth the money

Response from Host, Jul 2021

Good to hear, thanks for coming out with us!

Fantastic hike

Jeanna_M, Jul 2021

Leah and George were fantastic guides, both friendly and knowledgeable about plants! We loved learning about all the plants-- edible, non-edible, and dangerous. Leah shared a lot about mushrooms too which was really interesting. Forests and creeks were beautiful. Absolutely would do again!

Response from Host, Jul 2021

Glad to hear, thanks for coming out with us!

Surprised Anchorage has so much beauty to offer.

Neal_H, Jul 2021

Leah was very professional and informative as to local plants and flowers. We enjoyed the hike at Eagle Riverand especially Barbara Falls. Chugach Mountains are beautiful. Thanks for the adventure.

Response from Host, Jul 2021

Leah's knowledge is amazing! Thanks for coming out with us.

A nice escape from Anchorage

Michael_Z, Jul 2021

Madison was wonderful and we had great conversations. She was a delight and knew the grounds very well. We had the pleasure of having her guidance to ourselves and explored the hiking grounds that we wouldn't have discovered ourselves and also considering how difficult it was to get a car during our trip, it was well worth the price. We ventured around Eagle River Park and saw Barbara Falls which was a pleasant surprise to end off the trip. The hike is fairly flat for most of the part but make sure you have your mosquito repellent! All the stops we had during the tour have really great views of rivers, ponds and the mountains. If you want to go for a hike outside of the city and want something fairly easy, you just need your camera and water with you, you'll have a great time. It's nothing aggressive at all.

Response from Host, Jul 2021

What a comprehensive, thoughtful review. Thanks Michael! We're proud to hear about your experience with Madison, Eagle River Nature Center and Barbara Falls. Thanks again, and please let us know if we can help you again in the future!

Enjoyable hike

Bruce_K, Jun 2021

We enjoyed out leisurely walk. Best part was seeing black bear and then two moose as we were leaving hiking area.

Response from Host, Jun 2021

I'm glad you had a good time! Thanks for coming out with us and we hope to see you again!

Just do it!

Cmm, May 2021

Amazing tour, loved every minute of it.Our guide Greg was fantastic and told many stories. He shared lots of Alaskan wisdom with us.

Response from Host, May 2021

Glad you had a great time, Gregg is a gem! We hope to see you again!

Great fun; great scenery

Jason_W, May 2021

Had an absolute blast on the tour. Guide Greg was fun to listen to and the scenery is breathtaking. Highly recommend.

Response from Host, May 2021

Thanks for the review! We hope to see you again!

Highly Recommend

Allison, May 2021

Matt is a great guide! He is knowledgeable and flexible so you will get a hike tailored to you! Highly recommend and will be using GoHike Alaska for my next visit!!