Harding Ice Field Hike: Exit Glacier in the Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska- Hiking the Harding Icefield Trail is not an easy hike, but a rewarding one. This hike near Seward will take you to see Exit Glacier up close and the vast Icefield it is connected to. Here I have written about how long the hike is, how hard, where to stay, how to get to the trailhead and more about the Harding Icefield Hike. This hike is one of the best near Seward, Alaska and shouldn’t be missed!
Stats
Length: 9 miles round trip (additional add on available)
Time: 6-8 hours
Difficulty: hard
Elevation Gain: 3,641 feet
Trailhead: Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center: Exit Glacier Nature Center
Overview
Other Hikes In The Area That You Might Like
When To Go
Kenai Fjords National Park is open year round. But it is best to go during the summer months. I would plan for between June and October. We went at the end of July and there were still a few spots on the trail with snowing coverings. Easily to get through without gear but may not have been a month earlier or later.
If you want a clear trail (minimal snow coverings) I would plan for July or August. Other months ‘summer months’ could have snow leftover on the trail or it might be starting to snow at the higher elevations.
The only time Kenai closes this area is when snow is too heavy and the road to the Visitors Center becomes dangerous.
Where To Stay
We explored Alaska in a campervan with Million Mile Adventures. But no matter which way you are traveling I listed options for you below.
RV Camping
We stayed at the Trail River Campground in the Moose Pass area (about a 15 minute drive from Seward). This was a 40 minute drive to the Exit Glacier Nature Center. We also looked into staying at Ptarmigan Campground which was right across the street from ours. There is also RV camping downtown in Seward.
Tent Camping
The Exit Glacier Campground has 12 tent sites. They are first come first serve with no reservations. This is located 1 mile from the Exit Glacier Nature Center.
There are vault toilets, pump water and a dining shelter.
Hotels or Rental
The best place to stay for access to this trail would be in Seward. There are many accommodations and it is only an 18 minute drive to the Exit Glacier Nature Center.
You can also easily get here from other appealing towns in Alaska:
Whittier- 1 hour and 15 minute drive
Girdwood- 1 hour and 43 minute drive
Anchorage- 2 hour and 30 minute drive
How Hard Is The Hike?
I will say that this is not an easy hike, especially if you are not used to quick and fast elevation gains. I consider myself a moderate hiker and was able to get through the quick elevation gain by going slow and taking a few breaks. This was our first hike of the trip and it was tiring to me, my legs were definitely starting to wobble hiking back down at the end of the day.
Make sure you are not only physically prepared but have plenty of water and food. Take your time (a plus with Alaska’s long daylight hours) and most hikers should be able to complete this hike.
Once past Marmot Meadows this trail gets considerably easier, but Marmot Meadows is a beautiful and worthwhile hike if you cannot complete the entire trail. Marmot meadows is about 1.8 miles into the trail. If you decide on that route it would only be a 4 mile round trip hike.
How To Get There
The trail starts from the Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center, or also known as the Exit Glacier Nature Center. This location is the only entrance to Kenai National Park that you can get to by foot or by car. The rest of the park can be viewed and explored by boat, tours or kayaks.
By Car
From Seward
The drive from Seward to Exit Glacier Nature Center is only about 20 minutes. And an easy drive too, taking State Highway 9 for 3.5 miles before turning left on Herman Leirer Road, which brings you straight into Exit Glacier Road in under 10 miles.
Along Herman Leirer and Exit Glacier road we saw a moose and a couple of bears crossing the road early in the morning. So please stay alert for wildlife, especially in the morning hours.
Parking
You will need to park at the Exit Glacier Nature Center. Parking is free here, we never had to show our National Parks Pass here or in most of Alaska. The parking lot has a lot of spaces but does fill up. We arrived around 8:00am and there were plenty of spots. By the time we left some people did have to park along the road.
The Visitor Center has flush toilets and drop toilets available for use. There is also a ranger station, where you can ask about trail conditions and any other information that you might need.
By Shuttle/Taxi
If you do not have your own car or are planning to rent a car in Alaska you can get to this hike by shuttle in Seward. Many people use this as Seward is a popular destination to arrive by boat at.
Exit Glacier Shuttle – $15 round trip Phone: 907-224-5569 or 907-224-9225
Provides daily, roundtrip service between Seward and Exit Glacier.
Open late May through Labor Day.
City of Seward Shuttle Service – Phone: 907-224-3324
Provides regular transportation around Seward, stopping at specific locations.
Open mid-May through mid-September, specific times are updated annually.
Taxi
Area taxis can provide service to and from Exit Glacier as well as around Seward.
PJ’s Taxi- 907-224-5555
Red Taxi- 907-224-2727
Resurrection Taxi- 907-224-5678
*There is no cell phone service at the Exit Glacier Nature Center, please arrange ahead of time for pick up.
By Tour
The Route
To The Trailhead
The official trailhead start for this trail is about a 0.3 miles walk from the parking lot and Visitors Center. Although the trail says it is 8.2 miles, you will need to add on an additional 0.6 round trip to your total. Bring the trail total to 8.8 miles round trip.
To Exit Glacier Viewpoints
Before starting this trail we headed out to the Exit Glacier Trail before starting the Harding IceField hike. It is only a short and flat 2.2 mile loop. This takes you out to many different viewpoints, but the views along the Harding Icefield Trail are much better, so this can be skipped if you want to.
Start
The start of this trail starts 0.3 miles from the parking lot. There is a trail sign-in box. We did sign in and out since it was a long hike. The trail will start by going right from the pathway.
Pretty quickly the trail starts going uphill in a series of switchbacks and continues like this for almost 2 miles. The trail is rocky and you will definitely be crossing over some bigger rocks, but nothing too extreme. I did use my hiking poles for this uphill section.
This section is definitely the hardest part of the trail. I stopped a few times to stretch, drink water and eat a snack. Take it slow and you will be okay.
To Marmot Meadows
After about 1.8 miles uphill the trail will flatten and you will be in the Marmot Meadows section of the trail. Here there is a fabulous view of the Exit Glacier. Many people just make it to this point of this trail, which I think is worth it if you can make it here! A perfect place to plan a picnic break.
Marmot Meadows is also the area where many glacier walk tours start. If you decide to take a tour you will most likely end up in this area.
Top of Cliffs
From Marmot Meadows you will head towards the Top of Cliffs. This trail will follow along the glacier, starting slightly up to the right from Marmot Meadows. Along this route you will still be heading uphill but at a much easier pace and route. There are switchbacks for half a mile.
After you get to the Top of Cliffs you will be 2.5 miles from the Harding IceField.
To Harding Icefield
From here a smoother flatten path with wide sweeping views will be the majority of the route. Depending on what time of the season you go in this area more commonly has snow patches that may need to be crossed.
There were a few snow patches when we went at the end of July. They are easy to cross with good shoes and possibly hiking poles if you have them. You can see them clearly when you hike, rangers typically place small orange flags along the route to mark the trail. There are also usually footprints in the snow to mark the paths as well.
As you get closer to the end of the trail there will be a small cabin. This is the emergency shelter, many people stuck their heads in to take a look, including us. But this should only be used in true emergencies, do not plan to camp here.
The Ice Field
Shortly after the cabin and a few more rolling hills you will be at the Ice Field. And it’s beautiful. Also a 360 degree view of just ice. Our legs were wobbly and we were hungry, so we stopped at the overlook for lunch and a break.
After lunch we noticed a few people continuing down a trail down to the icefield. We decided to go, not many people went this far but I think it was worth it. It’s all downhill, so just keep in mind you will need to eventually go back up again. From here we could see the colors and cracks in the ice more clearly. If feeling it, I would recommend the extra walk down.
Back to the Parking Lot
This is an out and back hike. The route back will be the same as when you came in. Head back when you are ready and pat yourself on the back because this is not an easy hike.
Tips For The Hike
Leave No trace
Make sure you practice Leave No Trace 7 principles to leave minimal impact on the trails.
Be Bear Aware
Make sure you are Bear Aware while in any part of Alaska. We carried bear spray while on any hike in Alaska. We even saw a black bear with her cubs on this trail, they were very far away though. Stay alert, make noise, and seal food in containers. I also used a bear bell since we are usually pretty quiet hikers.
Watch For Weather
There is not much storm coverage at the top of this trail. Make sure you keep in eye on the weather before heading out on this hike. If you are not sure of any incoming storms you can always ask the rangers at the Exit Glacier Nature Center before you start.
Go Early
This trail and Exit Glacier is a pretty popular spot for locals and tourists. Going early will help you beat the crowds and the heat. And maybe even give you a better chance at seeing some wildlife.
What To Bring
Water– we each carried 2 liters of water in our hydration bladders with an additional collapsible water bottle.
Hiking Poles– my husband never used hiking poles but I find them very valuable to me knees for those uphills and downhills. They also helped me through those snow patches at the top.
Layers– You never know what Alaska weather and high elevation hikes may bring you. Dress in thin layers and make sure you bring a raincoat as well.
Sunscreen– Although you are hiking by a glacier and to an icefield the sun does get intense as the sun reflects off of the white snow. Sunscreen is essential.
Bear Spray– we each had our own, and I also attached a bear bell on to my backpack.
Bug Spray– Alaska summers are known for their bugs. Although we didn’t seem to get bitten by bugs much, we did see lots of mosquitos.
Hiking Shoes– Good sturdy hiking shoes are a must. I love my Ahnu’s.
Snacks/Food– This is a long hike, we packed many snacks such as granola bars, jerky sticks, fruits strips and more. We also packed a sandwich to eat at the top.
Sunglasses/Hat– Again it is very bright next to snow and ice with the sun reflection. I would pack sunglasses and maybe even a hat if you are sensitive to the sun.
Other Hikes In The Area That You Might Like
Lost Lake
The Lost Lake hike was by far my favorite hike that we completed in Alaska. There are a few different ways you can hike here. We went via Primrose out and back, which is the more recommended route for a day trip. But you can also hike it via Bear Creek out and back. Or if you have transportation set up this can be hiked as a through hike!
Slaughter Gutch
We wanted to do the Slaughter Gutch hike, but it was very rainy the day we had available.
Ptarmigan Lake Trail
Ptarmigan Lake Trail is another super blue lake trail, we didn’t have time to do but had great reviews.
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Horseshoe Lake Hike in Denali National Park
What To Do At the Eielson Visitors Center
3 Days In Denali National Park Itinerary
Lost Lake Hike Near Seward and Kenai Fjords National
