SamThe Gateway to the Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward has a lot of diverse hikes that are well worth considering. From easy hikes to do in your spare time, to full day hikes, there is something for everyone’s liking!
Summary of Best Hikes in Seward
- Two Lakes Trail
- Exit Glacier Overlook
- Bear Lake
- Tonsina
- Mount Marathon Jeep Trail
- Harding Icefield Trail
1. Two Lakes Trail
- difficulty: easy
- distance: 1 mile loop
Two Lakes is easily one of my favorite hikes in Seward. Nestled right inside city limits, it is easily accessible from anything in town. The trail features two beautiful lakes (hence the name), and two waterfalls along the route. This trail completely immerses you in the temperate rainforest ecosystem. It is so relaxing to walk through and feel so separated from the city that is mere steps away. The trail takes about 20 minutes to complete, and is welcoming for all skill levels. It is more of a walking trail rather than a hike.
The fun part about this trial is all of the native plant species throughout the woods. And if you’re lucky, you may even see some wildlife! In late spring, fiddle leaf ferns start to bloom, at which point you can actually harvest and eat them, if you want to be adventurous and try something new. Plus, during summer months, keep an eye out for blueberries along the trail. They bloom in bunches around July and are delicious. And if you are extra lucky, you may just spot a river otter in the lakes! They are one of my favorite animals in Alaska, so it is a special treat if you get to see them.
This trail is fun for the whole family, and is relatively safe in terms of possible wildlife encounters. So I definitely encourage everyone stop by this park in their spare time.
2. Exit Glacier Overlook
- difficulty: easy
- distance: 1.6 mile loop
One of the most popular hikes in the Seward area, the Exit Glacier Overlook trail is excellent for everyone. A short 1.6 mile loop that includes an overlook of the beautiful Exit Glacier, this trail is a great for all ages. The start of the trail you will find a Nature Center, which is a great place to learn about the local flora and fauna, and also shop for any souvenirs you may be interested in!
And the fun thing about the Exit glacier area is that it is so educational. Alongside the trail you will find markers with years on them, signifying where the glacier was extended to at that time. It is a solemn sight, but incredibly educational to fully understand the effects of global warming on glaciers.
Pro Tip:
The Nature Center is one of the two places you can get the Passport stamp for the Kenai Fjords National Park. The other location is the Visitor Center on 4th Ave. in Seward, right on the harbor.
The beginning of the hike is paved and accessible for all, before it turns into a rocky trail. I would note that there is an alternative trail that is fully paved an accessible for those that are interested, but for the sake of the article, I will be focusing on the overlook trail. While the trail is easy, it is rocky and on an incline. So those with low stamina, lower body injuries, etc. should be warned. I have come across many individuals who underestimated the trail and were not in the condition to be walking up rocky trails. Also note that this trail is not good for strollers or wagons of any kind. While the beginning is paved, it will be impossible to use a stroller once you head up to the overlook.
3. Bear Lake
- difficulty: easy-medium
- distance: 4.3 mile out-and-back
Alongside Bear Lake, there is an incredibly beautiful trail that hugs the shore. Featuring many waterfalls, so much native flora, and stunning views, this trail is a great way to spend a few hours of your day.
While there can be a few obstacles you have to be willing to cross, it is a fairly easy trail and well worth the secluded sanctuary it provides.
It can be a bit difficult to navigate the trail at the start, as there is a river that flows directly across the trail in the first half mile. Depending what time of year you go on this hike, the river could be a centimeter deep, or a good foot deep as it is running rapid with glacier runoff. I encourage you to take on the challenge of crossing the river, as most people don’t.
There are blueberry bushes all throughout the trail, so keep an eye out for snacks! And there is bear activity in the area, so go into the trail with safety and protection, and be aware of your surroundings.
4. Tonsina
- difficulty: medium
- distance: 3.5 miles out-and-back
On the far end of Seward, in an area known as Lowell Point, you will find Tonsina Trail.
The beginning of the trail is the most brutal part. You will work your way uphill within the forest, before you start to decsend down to the waters edge. Losing elevation fast via switchbacks (which will bite you in the butt on the way back), you will soon be greated with stunning views of Resurrection Bay, the mountains across the water, and stunning meadows lining the shore.
Once you reach sea level, the hike is fairly flat from that point on. I encourage you to head onto the beach and explore the shorelines. You’ll find a lot of cool shells, rocks, and some fun wildlife if you’re lucky.
If you are into backpacking, this trail has a really awesome campsite towards the end that is open for use (first come, first serve). It’s a great little area to spend some time in nature that I definitely recommend checking out.
This trail is definitely not for people of all abilities, as there are strenuous parts going out and coming back. However, other than those few spots, the trail is fairly easy. If you do not typically have any issues hiking, or you are up for a small challenge, I would encourage you to give this trail a shot.
Please note that if you do not have your own transportation, not all cab services in Seward will take you out to Lowell Point. There are commonly landslides along the road leading to the area, so proceed with caution. It is definitely possible to walk there, and a lot of people hitch hike as well!
5. Mount Marathon Jeep Trail
- difficulty: hard
- distance: 4 miles out-and-back
Definitely the most famous mountain and most famous of the hikes in Seward, Mount Marathon is a beast worth tackling for the sole purpose of self gratification. Mount Marathon gained its fame as the home to one of the oldest footraces in America. With the mountain sitting at 3,000ft above sea level, there is a yearly race on the Fourth of July where runners take a 3.1 mile route from downtown Seward to the tip of Mount Marathon and back. While is an incredible sight and an astonishing physical task, I assure you that you do not want to take the runner’s trail. It is gruesome. So do not make the mistake of following the race trail.
However, the mountain is very much still worth hiking! Take the Jeep trail, which is a much longer and less strenuous path up the top of the mountain. The first mile of the trail is fairly steep, and you will be walking uphill through the rainforest. Once you emerge from the tree-line, the trail significantly flattens out and you are greeted with the most beautiful meadows full of wildflowers.
After some time of hiking you will reach what is known as “The Bowl”. Hiking to the bowl is actually my favorite hike in Seward. It is so serene, and it is like a hidden world of beauty up there. The meadow will open up into a field of grass surrounded by mountain peaks and running rivers. Absolute sanctuary.
From this point forward you have the lovely task of hiking nearly vertical until you reach the peak. Personally, it was quite painful. Everytime you think you’re almost there, a new piece of the trail appears and you realize how far you have to go. But I promise that the top of Mount Marathon offers stunning 360 degree views of Seward, Resurrection Bay, and all of the surrounding mountains. You will feel so accomplished once you reach the top.
Pro Tip
Take my word of advice, go down the way you went up (even if someone tries to tell you the runners trail isn’t that bad on the way down).
6. Harding Icefield Trail
- difficulty: hard
- distance: 8.2 miles out-and-back
While I will admit I have not completed this hike in its entirety, as all natural forces were against me that day, the part that I saw was absolutely stunning. This is by far the most strenuous of hikes in Seward, but incredibly rewarding if you are up for the challenge.
Starting in the Exit Glacier Area, the Harding Icefield Trail diverts to ascend up the mountainside along the glaciers. With the hike being 4 miles to the top, and gaining 1,000 ft of elevation every mile, it is incredibly strenuous. At no point in the hike will you be going less than straight up. It takes an average of 6-8 hours to complete so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to complete the trail and soak in the views!
While strenuous, it is incredibly beautiful and rewarding. You will work your way up through the tree line, be brought through stunning meadows, and eventually make it to the end point that overlooks the entire Harding Icefield. The vastness of the icefield is astounding. Even if you can only make it halfway up the trail, it is worthwhile.
Keep an eye out for wildlife on this trail, and be sure to go in with bear protection. There are lots of black bears in the area, as well as other wildlife!
