How long is the hike?

About four miles total; plan on roughly three hours depending on group pace and stops.

Is there an age limit?

This event is designed for hikers who are roughly 50 and older, but no strict age cutoffs are enforced.

No — this specific event requests no pets to protect wildlife and maintain group comfort.

What does the guide provide?

A permitted local guide, trekking poles if needed, and post-hike hot drinks or lemonade are included.

Wear sturdy shoes, layered clothing, rain gear, and bring water and any personal snacks you need.

What if the weather turns bad?

Revel rarely cancels for inclement weather; guides will communicate route changes as needed for safety.

Long Lake Loop: A Leisurely Matanuska Greenbelt Hike for 50-Plus Explorers | Hiking | Walking Tour

Afternoon light on Long Lake cuts across low ridgelines and screens of spruce, turning ordinary trail miles into a compact lesson in glacial history. The Long Lake Loop, part of the Matanuska Greenbelt in Palmer, Alaska, is a four-mile community hike that moves at a conversational, steady pace and finishes with hot drinks at the trailhead. Meeting point: Long Lake Loop Trail, 4376 Glenn Hwy, Palmer, AK 99645, USA. This route threads shallow basins and moraine ridges—eskers left behind by glaciers that sculpted this valley roughly 30,000 years ago. The loop’s principal features are Long Lake itself, adjacent kettle ponds, short climbs over rounded eskers, and open viewpoints that frame the distant Chugach foothills. Underfoot you’ll encounter mixed tread of packed dirt, raised root sections, and occasionally soft muskeg; vegetation shifts from willows and sedges at wet edges to dwarf spruce on higher ground. Birdsong, the flash of a kingfisher, and the clean scent of meltwater make the miles feel purposeful rather than punishing. Designed for hikers in the 50-ish range who prefer community rhythm over speed, the trip covers about four miles in roughly three hours. Guides with Revel—operating as a permitted commercial guide service—lead small groups (minimum two, maximum ten), provide trekking poles when needed, and carry local knowledge about seasonal trail quirks. Expect a moderately strenuous rating in short bursts where eskers rise, but a generally relaxed tempo suited to steady fitness levels. Why book this with a local guide? Revel’s leaders know where boardwalks protect fragile bog, which side trails yield the best viewpoints, and when to reroute for wet conditions. The company’s phone for pre-trip questions is 907-903-1664. Practical inclusions: guided walk, poles if needed, post-hike hot drinks or lemonade. What’s not included: personal snacks, water, or parking fees. This hike is a standout in the Palmer recreation area because it makes glacial geology accessible: you can walk moraine features and step from ridge to lake in one afternoon without technical gear. It’s also social—an easy way to meet local hikers and learn landscape history by ear. Note the no-pets policy for this event; it reduces wildlife disturbance and keeps group dynamics comfortable. Bring layers, waterproofs, sturdy shoes, and an inquisitive outlook. The Long Lake Loop gives a compact, readable Alaskan landscape in approachable miles—solid geology, good company, and warm drinks to cap the afternoon. Trail etiquette emphasizes staying on the loop, carrying out all trash, and stepping aside to let others pass at narrow points; winter-season use shifts the trail to snowshoe and ski traffic, so check event notes. The site is also close enough to Palmer’s town services to make the hike an easy half-day outing for visitors staying in town and returning.