The coastline of Resurrection Bay near Seward is a playground for those eager to step into a wild, ever-changing landscape where sea and forest vie for attention. Each trail offers a different narrative: rugged cliffs daring your ascent, tidal coves inviting pause, and briny air thick with the calls of seabirds and the distant splash of otters in the water. Here, nature does not surrender easily. It pushes back with slick rocks and steep inclines but rewards tenfold with panoramic views of glacial waters and mountains that seem fiercely alive.

Start your adventure with the Harding Icefield Trail, a 8.2-mile round trip with a 2,700-foot elevation gain. This trail commands respect: the forest greets you cool and damp, streams chuckling at your feet, but soon the trees recede, opening up to massive views of icefields scraping the horizon, glaciers inching slowly toward the bay. Bring sturdy footwear; the terrain shifts from mossy boardwalks to loose scree and rocky ridges. The climb is steady but the summit’s sweeping vistas are unmatched.

Closer to town, the Caines Head Trail offers a 4-mile round-trip hike featuring rugged coastal cliffs and World War II history carved into the landscape. The trail skirts the shoreline with pebbled beaches where harbor seals lounge and eagles wheel overhead, their shadow briefly cooling you. The path is uneven—tree roots twist like step-stairs, and occasional mud patches remind you that the bay wants to be noticed in every way.

For those seeking easier footing, the Alpine Creek Trail winds 2.5 miles through old-growth forests colored in deep greens and dappled light. The creek’s persistent murmur presses you onward, a liquid companion daring you to match its energy. The climb gains moderate elevation, offering intermittent views of the bay where orca pods have been spotted close to shore during summer.

Each hike demands preparation. Hydration is key—carry at least two liters, as the air can be dry despite the coastal humidity. Waterproof shoes will keep your grip firm when the trails grow slick from unpredictable rain or creek crossings. Schedule hikes in the morning when the bay’s glassy surface catches the rising sun’s glow, and avoid afternoons when frequent winds whip up unexpected gusts.

This is adventure on nature’s terms, a place where the trails invite you forward but also remind you to move thoughtfully, aware of the land’s quiet, persistent pulse. Resurrection Bay’s hikes reward those who accept the challenge with memorable landscapes and encounters that feel intensely real—wild, open, and fiercely alive.