THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Bike along the shores of Mendenhall Lake with glacier panoramas, forested trails through Tongass National Forest, and a finish at a local brewery. This compact Juneau tour mixes moderate cycling, interpretive stops, and a craft-beer tasting.
Bike along the shores of Mendenhall Lake with glacier panoramas, forested trails through Tongass National Forest, and a finish at a local brewery. This compact Juneau tour mixes moderate cycling, interpretive stops, and a craft-beer tasting.
You step out of the van and the air tastes like ice and salt—Mendenhall Glacier watches the valley like a slow-moving giant, light-blue ridges daring you to come closer. The ride begins where gravel meets forest: a steady four-mile pedal along the lake shore with the glacier to your left and the Mendenhall River pushing toward the sea.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Cycle Alaska · Juneau, Alaska
You step out of the van and the air tastes like ice and salt—Mendenhall Glacier watches the valley like a slow-moving giant, light-blue ridges daring you to come closer. The ride begins where gravel meets forest: a steady four-mile pedal along the lake shore with the glacier to your left and the Mendenhall River pushing toward the sea.
This stretch of Tongass National Forest sits on glacially carved bedrock and old-growth stands the Tlingit people traversed long before miners and tourists arrived. Geology here reads plainly—striated rock, moraine ridges, and a lake that grew as the glacier retreated over the past century. Cultural threads are close at hand: local guides point out place names and past uses of the valley while you coast beneath Sitka spruce and hemlock.
Practicalities shape the day: the tour runs about four hours with two easy-to-moderate, mostly gravel trail segments totaling roughly 8 miles. Expect short climbs, scenic overlooks, and a 45-minute stop at the Visitor Center to learn about glacier ecology. After the ride, Forbidden Peak Brewery offers a measured contrast—local brews and Auke Bay views to decompress.
Bring layered rain gear, closed-toe shoes, and a camera with extra batteries—the light changes fast near glacial ice. Hydrate before you start, keep a steady cadence on gravel sections, and follow your guide’s cues near viewing areas to protect fragile terrain. This trip blends active riding, natural history, and a taste of Juneau’s craft-beer scene—compact, social, and unmistakably Alaskan.
moderate.
3–4 hours.
Moderate fitness: ability to ride 8 miles on mixed gravel with short climbs and brief hiking at the glacier viewpoint.
The ride covers roughly 8 miles round-trip over mostly gravel with short climbs; it’s rated moderate and suitable for riders comfortable on mixed-surface trails.
Yes—helmets, rain jackets, rain pants, and gloves are provided, though many riders bring their own layered clothing and shoes.
Alcoholic flights are only for guests 21+. Non-alcoholic options are available for minors; children must be 10 years old and meet height requirements and be accompanied by a guardian.
You’ll view the western face of Mendenhall Glacier from established overlooks and trails; guides advise keeping safe distances from ice and unstable shorelines.
The Mendenhall Valley is within Tlingit traditional territory and later saw mining and logging; the glacier’s retreat over the last century is a visible record of environmental change.
Visitors are asked to stay on marked trails and pack out trash—glacial moraines and alpine vegetation recover slowly and are vulnerable to disturbance.
Cycle Alaska operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You step out of the van and the air tastes like ice and salt—Mendenhall Glacier watches the valley like a slow-moving giant, light-blue ridges daring you to come closer. The ride begins where gravel meets forest: a steady four-mile pedal along the lake shore with the glacier to your left and the Mendenhall River pushing toward the sea.
You step out of the van and the air tastes like ice and salt—Mendenhall Glacier watches the valley like a slow-moving giant, light-blue ridges daring you to come closer. The ride begins where gravel meets forest: a steady four-mile pedal along the lake shore with the glacier to your left and the Mendenhall River pushing toward the sea.
This stretch of Tongass National Forest sits on glacially carved bedrock and old-growth stands the Tlingit people traversed long before miners and tourists arrived. Geology here reads plainly—striated rock, moraine ridges, and a lake that grew as the glacier retreated over the past century. Cultural threads are close at hand: local guides point out place names and past uses of the valley while you coast beneath Sitka spruce and hemlock.
Practicalities shape the day: the tour runs about four hours with two easy-to-moderate, mostly gravel trail segments totaling roughly 8 miles. Expect short climbs, scenic overlooks, and a 45-minute stop at the Visitor Center to learn about glacier ecology. After the ride, Forbidden Peak Brewery offers a measured contrast—local brews and Auke Bay views to decompress.
Bring layered rain gear, closed-toe shoes, and a camera with extra batteries—the light changes fast near glacial ice. Hydrate before you start, keep a steady cadence on gravel sections, and follow your guide’s cues near viewing areas to protect fragile terrain. This trip blends active riding, natural history, and a taste of Juneau’s craft-beer scene—compact, social, and unmistakably Alaskan.