Explore Matanuska Glacier: Guided Summer Glacier Walk from Anchorage
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
8 hours (full day)
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness: able to walk 2–3 miles on uneven, icy terrain and manage short climbs and descents.
Overview
Walk on Alaska’s largest road-accessible glacier during a full-day guided summer tour from Anchorage. Spend two hours on blue ice, learn glacier geology from local guides, and return via the scenic Glenn Highway.
Explore Matanuska Glacier: Guided Summer Glacier Walk from Anchorage
Select participants and date
The van eases off the Glenn Highway and the trees open like a curtain. Blue ice waits beyond a low moraine—honed, striated, and suddenly visible where the valley flattens and the Matanuska River spreads out. You step out into cold air that smells faintly of mineral and meltwater; guides fit helmets and ice cleats while the glacier’s rim glints with the pale, otherworldly light only old ice can hold. For the next half-day the glacier is not a postcard but a landscape that pushes back: crevasses yaw, ridgelines rise and fall, and every footfall sounds different on the compacted ice.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Wear stiff-soled boots
Sturdy hiking boots are required on the tour and improve stability with the supplied ice cleats.
Bring sunglasses and sunscreen
Glacial ice amplifies UV and glare—polarized sunglasses and SPF protect eyes and skin.
Hydrate and eat before the walk
You’ll expend steady energy on ice; bring a water bottle and eat the included lunch to maintain energy levels.
Listen to your guide
Routes shift seasonally—follow guide instructions for safe travel across crevassed or unstable areas.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Moose
- Bald eagle
History
The glacier carved the Matanuska Valley over thousands of years; Athabaskan peoples historically used the valley corridors and the area later supported homesteaders and miners.
Conservation
The glacier is retreating with regional warming—stay on guided routes, pack out trash, and follow Leave No Trace principles to reduce impact.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Anchorage
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Stiff-soled hiking boots
Provide ankle support and work with the supplied ice cleats for traction on compacted ice.
summer specific
Insulating layer and waterproof shell
Wind and meltwater can make conditions cold and damp—layering keeps you comfortable.
summer specific
Polarized sunglasses
Reduce glare from blue ice and protect eyes during long reflections on the glacier.
summer specific
Daypack with water and snacks
Carry personal water, a camera, and extra layers; guides provide snacks and lunch but you’ll want personal supplies.
summer specific