There is something special about traveling in the wilderness at a slower pace, whether that is paddling a kayak on a serene lagoon and watching a black bear on the lagoon’s edge; floating in a raft at the pace of a river and keeping an eye out for moose and bald eagles; or hiking on the high alpine tundra deep in a wildlife refuge. We love exploring Alaska at this slower pace. Some special hikes have been featured for several years in our guided Adventures and Lodge-to-Lodge packages, and we recently introduced a brand new guided Adventure – the Alaska Hiking Adventure – showcasing the diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife and iconic vistas of Alaska.
One of the highlights of a stay at our remote, boat-in-only Kenai Backcountry Lodge is a beautiful hike to the alpine tundra to explore this remote area and enjoy stunning views of Skilak Lake, located in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. The lake is part of the Kenai River water system and is also fed by glacial runoff and meltwater from nearby Skilak Glacier. Gradual in elevation gain but leading to stunning views, this hike provides ample opportunity to explore several distinct areas of elevation and all with the reward of expansive views.
Hiking is also a popular activity at our seacoast paradise, Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge. This lodge is located deep within Kenai Fjords National Park and is accessible only by boat. At the lodge, there are several opportunities to explore by foot. One favorite trek starts with a canoe paddle across lower Pedersen Lagoon, followed by a walk on a flat trail near Pedersen Glacier, giving us a chance to explore land recently uncovered by the glacier as well as chance to spot wildlife, including harbor seals, otters and sea birds. As trail conditions allow, more strenuous hikes from the lodge offer stunning vistas of the surrounding bays, ocean and mountains.
If you know you want to spend as much time hiking as you can on your Alaska adventure, we’re pleased to offer a brand new, fully guided adventure for 2025! The Alaska Hiking Adventure focuses on exploring some of Alaska’s most iconic landscapes on the Kenai Peninsula and Denali National Park. One spectacular day hike climbs alongside Exit Glacier and ultimately leads to breathtaking views of Harding Icefield (conditions permitting). Once we head north to Denali, a special hike takes us up through forests of birch and spruce, past glacial lakes and wildflower meadows, and to the spongy tundra which extends for miles in all directions. Finally we reach Kesugi Ridge where, on a clear day, we have unobstructed views of 20,320-foot-high Denali.
A programming note: The hikes described here are representative of the type of hikes we do, and efforts are always made to complete the hike as described; however, we give discretion to our guides and staff to assess the conditions each day and make the best possible decision regarding specific activities based on weather, safety, wildlife, etc.
More information about Kenai National Wildlife Refuge can be found on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website. More information about Kenai Fjords National Park and Denali National Park can be found on the National Park Service website.