On the Ice: A Day Hike Across Matanuska Glacier (Guided Tour)
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
8 hours
Fitness Level
Should be able to walk 3+ miles (5 km) over uneven, icy terrain with occasional short steep sections; good balance and ankle stability recommended.
Overview
Drive the Glenn Highway for two hours, step onto ancient blue ice, and spend two hours guided across crevasses and seracs. This full-day Matanuska Glacier hike blends geology, local stories, and practical guidance for an accessible Alaska ice adventure.
On the Ice: A Day Hike Across Matanuska Glacier (Guided Tour)
Select participants and date
The van eases off the Glenn Highway and the landscape changes from spruce and birch to a broad, braided river valley. The Matanuska River runs like a silver ribbon alongside the road, daring you to look away as mountain faces draw nearer. After about two hours from Anchorage, a blue-white scar appears on the skyline: a living river of ice, its surface creased with seracs and riddled with crevasses that glint in the sun.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Layer for changing conditions
Temperatures on the glacier are often much colder than the valley; bring a windproof outer shell and insulating mid-layer you can shed or add quickly.
Sturdy, waterproof boots
Traction devices are provided, but stiff, supportive boots make walking on uneven ice and moraine far more comfortable.
Protect your eyes and skin
Bring UV sunglasses and broad-spectrum sunscreen — reflected sun from ice is intense even on cool days.
Charge and keep electronics warm
Cold drains batteries quickly; carry spare batteries in an inner pocket and use a wrist strap for your camera on the ice.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Dall sheep
- Bald eagles
History
Matanuska has long been part of regional travel and subsistence routes; the valley was later settled for agriculture during the 1930s New Deal colony program, shifting local economies toward mixed farming and tourism.
Conservation
Glaciers are sensitive to warming and human impact; stick to guide routes, avoid kicking or carving ice features, and pack out any waste to reduce local footprint.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Anchorage
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Waterproof hiking boots
Provide ankle support on moraine and a stable platform for crampons or ice spikes.
Insulating mid-layer and windproof shell
Keeps you warm against glacier wind and allows quick temperature regulation.
Sunglasses with UV protection
Prevents snow glare and protects eyes from intense reflected sunlight.
summer specific
Reusable water bottle and snacks
Guides provide filtered glacier water and snacks, but personal supplies ensure energy between stops.