Day Hikes in Anchorage
Get out and explore Alaska’s incredible landscapes with Voyij’s curated day hikes. These accessible adventures offer stunning views, wildlife sightings, and glacier overlooks—all in a single day. Whether you’re on a cruise stop or planning a scenic trail outing, our day hikes are perfect for travelers who want big nature without the overnight gear.
9 Activities
Chugach State Park Nature Walk
• Take a nature walk to Chugach State Park's photogenic, Glen Alps! • An easy, brief, and compelling experience designed for all to enjoy. • Perfect for families with children! • Learn about boreal forests and glaciated valleys through the voice of a naturalist. • Opportunity for wildlife sightings, including moose, bear, and birds. • Provisions include a granola bar. This is the perfect tour if you are looking to go on an easy hike, learn about Alaska’s vegetation and animal populations, and see the Chugach State Park’s most photogenic locations. Depending on the season, we'll either visit the best waterfall in the Chugach State Park, Barbara Falls, or we'll head up high to the Glen Alps where alpine paradise awaits. Wild geraniums, bluebells, and forget-me-nots pop up in June and blissful blueberries, funky fungi, and changing colors tell us when summer is ending. Moose and bear birth their young in spring and mate during the fall months. They travel through the mountains and valleys in search of their favorite browse, providing ample opportunity for wildlife viewing and photography. The flora and fauna of the Chugach State Park tell us a story of various ecosystems living in harmony just outside of Anchorage. Experience in-depth education about the salmon life cycle and impacts to our environment by rapidly changing climate and societal challenges. It's a one-of-a-kind, comprehensive tour awaiting your intrigue. If you’re ready to see the natural wonders lying just outside of Anchorage, then join us today!
Alpine Classic Trek
HIGHLIGHTS: • Trek one of Chugach State Park's finest ridgelines with a top-tier guide! • Perfect for solo travelers and couples. Challenge and reward await! • Enjoy breathtaking views of Anchorage and interior Chugach Mountains. • Learn about Alaska's alpine forests & tundra environment from a naturalist. • Opportunity for wildlife sightings including bear, sheep, marmot and birds! • Provisions include a granola bar, apple, and cheese stick. TOUR DESCRIPTION: This is quite-the-quintessential Alaska hiking experience. You should pick this adventure if you are looking for a hearty challenge with rewarding sights and a ton of payoff. Experience the thrill of ascending to heights offering 360-degree views of the nearby Cook Inlet and interior Chugach mountains. Gaze at deep, glaciated, u-shaped valleys, and giant ridgelines defining the landscape. Imagine pristine, treeless, tundra loaded with vegetation that you can touch, taste, and feel. If you have never seen alpine before, prepare to be amazed. Ridgeline trekking is an incredibly unique way to see the landscape. While the ascent can be tough, once you arrive at the top, it is truly remarkable. You can see forever! On a clear day, we can even see Mt. Denali hundreds of miles away! Plus, the terrain can be fairly flat, making the trekking a truly enjoyable experience. During the tour, we may see moose, bear, Dall sheep, mountain goats, and a variety of small mammals like arctic squirrels and marmots. There are also plenty of birds to gaze at like bald eagles, thrushes, chickadees, and jays. This is one of our favorite ways to experience Alaska and the Chugach State Park. What do you say, are you in?!
Summer Valley & Forest Hike
HIGHLIGHTS: • Experience hiking in Chugach State Park's Eagle River trail system and Barbara Falls! • Perfect for solo travelers and couples. • Enjoy breathtaking views of towering vistas. Amazing landscapes await! • Learn about Alaska's boreal forests and glaciated valleys from a skilled naturalist. • Opportunity for wildlife viewing including, salmon, bear, moose and birds. • Provisions include a granola bar, apple, and cheese stick. TOUR DESCRIPTION: Experience the wonders found in one of the Chugach State Park's fondest, glaciated valleys. On this tour, we will take you to the glorious Eagle River trail system where boreal forests, and salmon spawning streams are found. This trail network also hosts the renowned "Crow Pass", which is part of the historic Iditarod trail system once used by dog sleds and mushers. The route is approximately 6 miles in length and is not too strenuous, which allows most people to participate. Eagle River hosts amazing phenomena and a rich ecology that you will learn about from our skilled naturalists. You will see photogenic birch and aspen trees mixed with giant spruces, as well as smaller brushes like willows, alders, and devil's club. Imagine endless varieties of edible berries, and fascinating fungi. If they are in-season, we will try a few! We may see moose, Dall sheep, and even a bear on this tour. Plus, there are many species of small mammals and birds we could encounter, too. If you are looking for a moderate hike with beautiful Alaskan sights and sounds, this is your pick. After you've had your fill of the Eagle River Valley, we head over to iconic Barbara Falls for some up-close waterfall action! What are you waiting for? Book today!
Winter Waterfall Fun
Barbara Falls is the best waterfall to visit in the Chugach State Park, especially when covered in ice. With the falls literally minutes away from the trailhead, it is a MUST-DO for any visitor OR Alaskan resident. We start the tour by following the gorgeous South Fork Eagle River, pausing to observe the incredible ice-dam formations created by frigid-cold and fast-moving water. Ice crystals appear to grow from the surface of the water, slowing and raising the water level in terrific ways. Just minutes later, we arrive at the base of the magical 25-foot waterfall where you see shimmering icicles, fascinating ice bridges, and falling water frozen-in-time. After stocking up a store of photos to show your friends and family, we embark on a short nature walk. You will see stunning vegetation living within a diverse boreal forest. Towering species such as white spruces, paper birches, and aspens drape the frozen ground below. We will explain intriguing biological mysteries happening within the lichen, mosses, and trees that surround us. We could also see local wildlife, such as moose, snowshoe hare, rodents, and birds. The ecology of the area is truly a sight to be seen! Afterward, we'll have you back with plenty of time for another tour or your favorite food and beverage.
Winter Valley & Forest Hike
• Hike along Chugach State Park's Eagle River and see ice-covered Barbara Falls! • Perfect for solo travelers and couples. • Enjoy breathtaking views of towering vistas. Amazing landscapes await your camera! • Learn about glaciated valleys and boreal forests from an experienced guide. • Opportunity for wildlife sightings, including moose, hare, voles, and porcupine! • Provisions include a granola bar, apple, and cheese stick. We will provide micro-spikes for icy terrain. TOUR DESCRIPTION: If you have never been on a hike during the winter, you need to give it a shot. Winter hiking is a blast, and it is great for the mind and body during the long periods of dark and cold. The route is approximately 4 miles in length, but is not too strenuous, allowing most people to participate. We will begin by visiting the Chugach State Park's best waterfall, Barbara Falls. What a sight to behold! Afterwards, we will head to the confluence of North and South Fork Eagle River where a clearing in the woods exposes the Chugach mountains for miles. This is a perfect location to take amazing photos. Onward we will go through snow covered spruces while keeping an eye out for wildlife. If Eagle River is frozen, we will have the opportunity of hiking on top of it, which is really a treat! We may see the "American Dipper" swimming in an unfrozen tributary warmed by geothermal heat. They swim in water when the air temperature is below freezing to keep warm. We may also see moose, small mammals like the snowshoe hare or red fox, and rodents such as the porcupine or voles. This valley is filled with a comprehensive variety of the natural elements found in the boreal forests of Alaska. Afterwards, we hop back in the vehicle and head over to mighty Barbara Falls, a local waterfall hidden amongst the forest. Barbara Falls is covered in a THICK shell of ice in the winter, and is, in our opinion, best seen in the winter! Need we say more? Join now!
Available Timing
Backcountry Eats & Foraging Treats
Looking for a tasty tour that has a little of everything? Then, spending a half-day with us at the Talkeetna Lakes or Chugach State Park is your #1 option. This is a great pick for families with younger kids, as well as a great opportunity for seeing the quaint community of Talkeetna on your way to interior Alaska. On this one-of-a-kind daytrip, you’ll learn how to for wild Alaskan edibles, experience world-class hiking, and our specialty, the art of backcountry cooking. As part of the adventure, we’ll also take a thrilling drive by majestic mountains, braided rivers, thick woodlands. Upon arrival, our experienced guide(s) will let you know what to expect, and give you tips for spending the day safely in the Alaskan wilderness. Then, we’ll hit the trails in search of Talkeetna’s/Chugach's finest ingredients. Depending on the season, we could uncover wild greens, edible wildflowers, fiddlehead ferns, fireweed shoots, mushrooms, berries, and so much more. All of which, we have the opportunity of taking back to the campsite for education on how to prepare, cook, and eat using backcountry equipment and supplies. Finally, after a delicious backcountry dessert our guides will say goodbye, it's on to your lodging destination for a relaxing end to your dream-day. Are you ready to explore your wild like the locals? Book this trip and we guarantee you an experience of a lifetime!
Available Timing
Matanuska Glacier Ice Fall Trek from Anchorage
Enjoy a first-hand view of Beautiful Matanuska Glacier! *About the Glacier and the Hike: Glaciers are responsible for shaping and forming this great land, and Alaska has more than one thousand of these frozen rivers. Since the Matanuska Glacier is so accessible, we help visitors explore this wonderful environment on many different levels. Our guides are chosen for their experience and their desire to work and play in bold environments. A zest for life and a caring attitude makes all of us proud to share this unique Alaska experience. Glacier hiking is for virtually everyone! With the proper equipment and an experienced guide, explore the hidden treasures of the Matanuska Glacier. The Matanuska Glacier is one of the few Alaskan glaciers accessible by car. It is located 2 hours NE of Anchorage. With just a short hike, you can be standing on an enormous river of ice, exploring the natural wonders of the majestic glacier. Glacier hiking is an all-weather activity. However, when the weather is bad in and around Anchorage, it is often sunny on the glacier. This is due to a phenomenon in which the cold air of the glacier forces the warm valley air upward and into the surrounding peaks causing a weather hole. So come to the sunny Matanuska Glacier for an unforgettable experience. *Trip Highlights: - A truly Alaskan Adventure on the Matanuska Glacier. - Discover the amazing Blue Ice, Crevasses, and other unique formations. - Stand on a high-point with amazing views of the great Ice Fall. - Stand on 1,000-year-old Ice. - This is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
Available Timing
Matanuska Glacier Hike Day Tour
Travel the scenic Glenn Highway through the spectacular Matanuska Valley. Explore the face of the Matanuska Glacier with an expert glacier guide. Amazing photo opportunities!
Available Timing
Hatcher Pass Hike & History Tour
This half-day afternoon excursion from Anchorage includes a local guide, our signature tour at Independence Mine State Historical Park, a gold panning demo & time at the creek with a pan (rental included!) as well as an interpretive hike along the Mill Loop Trail. Begin this unique Alaska adventure as we drive north from Anchorage along the Kink Arm, we will pass through the town of Palmer, a community with farmland now famous for growing record-breaking produce like the 2,051-pound pumpkin! As we ascend the Talkeetna Mountains, we’ll enter the breathtaking alpine area known as Hatcher Pass. Take an interpretive walk through the abandoned Independence Mine State Historical Park Visitor Center. Following this 45-minute tour, enjoy a panning demonstration & time at the creek where we commonly find 3 or 4 flakes in each pan! Following our time at the creek, enjoy a guided hike along the Mill Loop Trail. The Mill Loop trail is an easy .9 mile trail with 177ft elevation gain. Already at 3500ft in elevation in the Talkeetna Mountains, the views are incredible! This short trail above Independence Mine in Hatcher Pass is family-friendly and will provide an introduction to the flora & fauna of the tundra. Common wildlife sightings consist of arctic ground squirrels and marmots – if you don’t see them you will hear them whistle at you! This tour includes complimentary snacks including popcorn from Bunkhouse #2 and water.
Available Timing
Filters
Join our newsletter
We'll send you 1x/mo updates on local Alaska and The Bahamas as well as holiday promos, available only via email
We care about your data in our privacy policy.