Climb into the visible toe of the Harding Icefield on an eight-hour guided glacier hike from Seward. This full-day adventure combines forest approaches, moraine travel and on-ice navigation—perfect for experienced hikers who want a close-up lesson in glacial geology and high-latitude wilderness.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step out of the van and the air feels different: colder, thinner, with a sharp mineral tang that settles under your tongue. Alder and spruce line the trail, but the forest seems to be holding its breath; ahead, an arm of the Harding Icefield unspools down the valley like a living, moving river of blue-white. A guide clips your harness on, fits your crampons, and for the next eight hours you trade the textbook idea of a hike for the clack and grind of ice boots on ancient glacier.
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
8 hours
Fitness Level
Recommended for hikers with strong cardiovascular fitness and prior day-hike experience; not advised for those with serious back or heart conditions.
Wildlife
History
Exit Glacier and the Harding Icefield were major features for Alutiiq subsistence and later for early 20th-century explorers mapping Alaska’s ice systems; the glacier’s retreat over the last century is well-documented.
Conservation
Kenai Fjords NP monitors glacial retreat and encourages low-impact visitation—stay on routed trails, follow guide instructions, and pack out waste to minimize footprint.
Reserve your spot on the Exit Glacier Ice Hiking Adventure from Seward today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Layer for volatility
Bring breathable base layers, a warm midlayer, and a waterproof outer shell—weather shifts from sun to sleet within an hour on the ice.
Break in stiff boots
Stiff-soled mountaineering or backpacking boots reduce blisters and help crampon placement; break them in with half-day hikes first.
Hydrate and fuel
Carry at least 1.5–2 liters of water and high-calorie snacks; cold suppresses thirst but your body needs calories for stability on ice.
Follow the guide’s rope protocols
Keep spacing on glacier rope teams and never cross a marked crevasse area—guides set the safest lines based on daily observations.
Stiff-soled mountaineering boots
Provide ankle support and crampon compatibility for ice travel.
spring
Waterproof breathable shell
Protects against wind, sleet and spray that are common on the ice.
Insulated waterproof gloves
Keep fingers warm and functional during extended time on cold, wet ice.
summer
Sunglasses with side protection
Reduces glare off blue ice and protects against snow blindness on reflective surfaces.
summer