Massive expanse of ice and snow covering mountain peaks and valleys, offering sweeping alpine views and access to one of the largest icefields in North America.
General Information
Hours:
Accessible year-round with no set hours; access depends on trail conditions, weather, and daylight
Length:
Harding Icefield Trail: approximately 8.2 miles round trip
Elevation Gain:
About 3,000 feet elevation gain
Difficulty:
Strenuous
Fees:
No separate fee for the trail
Park entrance fees may apply
Park entrance fees may apply
Pet Policy:
Pets are not allowed on the trail
Closest cities with hotels:
Seward (12 mi)
Seasons:
Best visited late June through September when the trail is mostly snow-free; shoulder seasons may have snow and challenging conditions
Location:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3o7h6F2bVn9Xx1Qd8Harding Icefield Trailhead, Seward, AK
Website:
How to Get There
From Seward (12 mi): Take Exit Glacier Rd north from town for about 12 miles to the trailhead parking area where the hike to the icefield begins.
Overview
The Harding Icefield is a 700-square-mile icefield in the Kenai Mountains, largely in Kenai Fjords National Park, the largest icefield contained entirely within the U.S. and one of four remaining in the country. It feeds more than 30 glaciers, including Exit Glacier, and gets more than 400 inches of snow a year. The Harding Icefield Trail from Exit Glacier climbs to a view over the endless ice field.
Top Trail
| Trail | Length | Elevation Gain | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harding Icefield Trail | 8 to 9 miles round trip | About 3,000 feet | Wildflowers, then alpine, with a hut and views of the icefield; open late June to September, and snow lingers |
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Harding Icefield", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0