If you enjoy hiking as much as I do, you will want to tackle the Harding Icefield Trail during your trip to Alaska. I did during my first visit to this gorgeous country, and while I felt it was challenging, it was also very rewarding.
There are only four icefields in the United States, and Harding Icefield isn’t just the largest: it’s also the only one that is entirely situated within the US – more precisely within the Kenai Fjords National Park, just 12 miles (19 kilometers) from the city of Seward and as such fairly easily accessible.
If you are keen on hiking the Harding Icefield, you’ll be thankful to have a detailed guide that tells you exactly what to expect so that you can prepare for it. I will also share some general information on the Harding Icefield and the Exit Glacier.
Are you planning your first trip to Alaska? I have been there twice already (and in two different seasons) so my post What You Need To Know Before Visiting Alaska will be most useful for you.
My post The Best Places To Visit In Alaska shares the unmissable places to visit in the country. If you are in the planning stages, you will find my 10-day Alaska Itinerary particularly useful too.
What Is The Harding Icefield?
An icefield is the accumulation of snow and ice at the top of a mountain; a series of interconnected valley glaciers on a mountain, where peaks protrude.
The Harding Icefield was first discovered by explorers in 1922. Until then, the people in Seward (the nearest town) ignored its existence. 1922 also marked the opening of the Spruce Creek Trail in 1922, which allowed visitors to access a viewpoint for views of the upper portions of the icefield. The name Harding Icefield was given after US President Warren G. Harding’s visit.
The icefield sees around 400 inches of snow per year. It is the origin of dozens of glaciers in the area. It extends over 700 square miles (1,813 square kilometers), and it created 40 glaciers — including McCarty Glacier, Tustumena Glacier, and the famous Exit Glacier.
Of all the glaciers that originate from the Harding Icefield, Exit Glacier is the most accessible and visited one, and you can follow the trail next to it for magnificent views of the icefield.
That trail – the Harding Icefield trail – is one of the most famous hikes in Alaska.
How To Hike The Harding Icefield Trail
The Harding Icefield trail is one of the best hikes in Alaska – and one of the most challenging ones too (although the trail is very easy to follow).
But what makes this hike so special?
If you are anything like me, you will actually love the challenge. The steep ascent to the final viewpoint, and the (just as) steep descent. But honestly, the views along the way are breathtaking!
Ready to discover how to tackle this wonderful hike? Continue reading.
Harding Icefield Trail technical guide
Here’s a quick overview of the Harding Icefield trail, with some technical information that will give you an idea of what you should expect.
DIFFICULTY: Challenging
WALKING DISTANCE: From the Harding Icefield trailhead 4.1 miles (6.6 km) one way – 8.2 miles (13.2 km) out and back; 8.5 miles (13.7 km) from the parking lot.
WALKING TIME: 6 to 8 hours round trip
ELEVATION GAIN: 3,080 feet (939 meters)
STARTING ELEVATION: 420 feet (128 meters)
HIGHEST ELEVATION: 3,500 feet (1,067 meters)
First stop: Marmot Meadows
Marmot Meadows is located around 1.3 miles (almost 2.1 kilometers) from the Harding Icefield trailhead, and about 1/3 of the way to the End of Trail. It’s the first official stop (and a good turning point) along the hike, clearly marked by a sign that says “Marmot Meadows”. From there, you can get a first peak of the Exit Glacier.
To get there, you’ll climb about 1,000 feet (305 meters) in elevation. You’ll walk for about one mile (1.6 km) through the forest, without much of a view, and on a steady and steep uphill trail that is very easy to follow. Once you get to the first viewpoint you get to see the Exit Creek and the Outwash Plain (the proglacial creek formed by the Exit Glacier).
After another 0.5 miles (around 800 meters) you will reach the Birth Canal. Here the trail passes through two massive boulders.
The name Marmot Meadows comes from the hoary marmots that were once a common sight on the field (sadly not anymore).
Once in Marmot Meadows, the trail splits in two. One trail goes to the Top of the Cliffs and the End of Trail where you’ll see the Harding Icefield.
The other goes to the Exit Glacier. You can actually hike the glacier, but for that you absolutely need a guided tour such as this Exit Glacier Guided Tour and the right equipment.
Second stop: Top of the Cliffs
The next stop is the Top of the Cliffs (which is another good turning point), which is found about 2.4 miles (3.8 kilometers) from the trailhead. This is the first spot where you’ll get a peek of the Harding Icefield.
Getting there is honestly the most challenging part of the entire hike. You will zig-zag your way up a hill on rocky and gravel terrain.
Final stop: Harding Icefield (End of Trail)
Once you reach the Top of the Cliffs, the trail continues – uphill, but not nearly as steep. From the trail, you will have fantastic views of Harding Icefield and the Exit Glacier. You will then reach the emergency shelter which marks the end of the trail — 4.1 miles (6.6 kilometers) from the Harding Icefield trailhead.
If you want, there’s an extra 1.5 miles to walk (2.5 km) to reach the icefield – that’s if you still have energy after the strenuous hike.
To get back to the trailhead from the End of Trail, you’ll just have to retrace your steps and walk downhill.
Wildlife along the way
Depending on the season, you’ll get to see beautiful wildflowers along the hike, as well as some wildlife. Common sightings include mountain goats, bald eagles, and even hoary marmots.
It’s not uncommon to see bears in Alaska and sure enough these are occasionally spotted by the Harding Icefield. Some people saw a female black bear and her cub the day I hiked (I did not, unfortunately).
Moose are more common to see. I saw a female close to the visitor center!
Harding Icefield Hike Practical Guide
How to get to Harding Icefield trailhead
The Harding Icefield is about 2.5 hours drive from Anchorage, and just 20 minutes drive from Seward.
If you are driving, you will need to follow the Seward Highway (State Highway 9) and turn onto Herman Leirer Road (AKA Exit Glacier Road). Continue driving until the end of the road, where the visitor center and the carpark are located.
If you don’t have a car, you can get the Exit Glacier Shuttle, which costs around $20 USD roundtrip; the City of Seward Shuttle Service, which stops at a few different locations around the city too, and then goes to the Exit Glacier; and Adventure 60 North, which costs $30 roundtrip and which also offers other tours in the area.
Once you get to the Exit Glacier, you will find the trailhead around 0.3 miles (0.5 kilometers) from the carpark. Just walk towards the Exit Glacier Nature Center to get to the trailhead.
The trail you will want to follow initially is the Glacier View Loop Trail, to the left of the visitor center. It then turns into the Glacier Overlook Trail to finally merge into the Harding Icefield Trailhead. There’s a lot of signage around so getting lost is pretty much impossible!
Before you actually embark on the hike, you’ll need to register by signing your name at a booth located at the trailhead.
Best time to hike the Harding Icefield trail
The Harding Icefield trail is closed during the winter months (there’s too much snow and ice in the area) – in fact, Exit Glacier road is closed to traffic in the winter.
I recommend hiking in the summer months or in early falls – so, between July and September. Even then, expect rain during your hike, and if you come earlier in the season (ie in June) even snow along bits of the trail, at higher elevation.
I hiked the Harding Icefield at the very end of August and it was a very rainy day – I was soaked by the time I made it back to the visitor center (and made a beeline to a shop in Seward to buy better rain gear). My friend who visited a few years prior, in mid August, had a beautiful sunny day though. If you are flexible, try to do the hike on a sunny day as it’ll be more pleasant.
One thing to keep in mind is that this is a very popular hike, so don’t expect to be the only one on the trail in the summer!
If you are visiting Alaska in autumn, make sure to double check if the trail is open before you go.
Guided Harding Icefield hikes
You can definitely consider a guided hike of the Harding Icefield for an even more fun and in-depth experience. The benefit of a guided tour is that it will include transportation and a guide that will be with you on the trail to talk about the nature, wildlife and even history of the area.
You can shop around Seward for guided hikes, or else you can consider this Harding Icefield trail hiking tour (run by a local tour operator, Kenai Backcountry Adventures) which also provides roundtrip transportation, a deli-style lunch and a local guide.
There’s also the possibility of joining this guided hike on the Exit Glacier which includes transfers from Seward, all equipment needed for the hike, lunch and a professional guide.
Harding Icefield hike packing list
First of all, for this and for any hike, I recommend wearing layers that you can take off and put on as you need. While you will get warm as you walk, remember that for this particular hike you are by a glacier, which means it can be very cold.
Furthermore, you need proper rain gear. You really need something that you can rely on. I learned during this very hike that the gear I thought was waterproof actually wasn’t, and if I were to hike again in Alaska I’d better get proper gear pronto!
So, based on my experience here’s what you need to wear and bring with you for this hike:
- HIKING BOOTS – Make sure they comfortable, with good ankle support and with a good grip. It’s best if your boots are also goretex and water proof. These La Sportiva boots are perfect for the job.
- WATERPROOF HIKING SOCKS – Good waterproof socks will keep your feet dry even in the worst rain, and minimize the impact of walking on a harsh terrain.
- RAIN JACKET – Not all rain jackets are created equal. I got mine in Seward after getting soaked on this hike, and tested on many other rainy hikes in Alaska and can attest it works. So, I recommend the Black Diamond rain jacket.
- RAIN PANTS – Again, I recommend the Black Diamond rain pants that you can wear over your good hiking pants.
- HAT / SCARF / GLOVES – Your gloves should also be waterproof. My hands got so wet despite gloves that I almost lost sensitivity during the hike.
- FLEECE SWEATER – Layer it with a quick dry shirt – can be long or short sleeves.
Here are some other items you will need to take with you:
- SUNGLASSES – Even when there’s no sun, you will need protection from UV rays and from the wind.
- SUNSCREEN – Honestly you should wear it any time you go out during the day.
- SNACKS – You won’t find any food at the visitor center and there’s nothing along the trail, so bring some snacks – a small deli sandwich, some fruit, or even one or two Clif Bars.
- FIRST AID KIT – You’ll need something that includes painkillers as well as bandaids for blisters.
- WATER BOTTLE – You won’t be able to refill your bottle along the trail, so bring at least 2 liters with you.
- HIKING POLES – There are a lot of steep steps along the hike, so they may be useful (personally I don’t use them).
- BEAR SPRAY – You will find it in most stores in Alaska, and it’s also available online.
You will also want to take your camera with you.
Other Useful information
Exit Glacier Nature Center
The Exit Glacier Nature Center is the local visitor center. You will find it by the trailhead. It’s a small but interesting place to visit, where you can find an exhibit on the history and nature of the area. They also have a bookstore and souvenir shop. It’s open between the end of May and the beginning of September.
Restrooms
Restrooms are available by the Exit Glacier Nature Center, but you won’t find anything else along the trail. If you need to go during the hike, you should dig a hole at least 100 feet (30 meters) from the trail, making sure it’s well away from any water sources. Fill the hole back when done, and don’t leave any toilet paper around.
Final Remarks
The Harding Icefield hike is one of the most popular in Alaska. I hiked it on a Monday, and even then the trail was packed!
One thing I need to stress is once again is that this is a challenging hike, and you should not overestimate your fitness and capabilities. When I hiked, a few people in my group were obviously not prepared for it and they didn’t have a good time at all (and delayed the rest of the group who had to wait for them).
Just make sure to go prepared knowing what to expect – I wrote this post for this reason – and you are guaranteed to have a great time.
Further Readings
For more content on Alaska, make sure to read the following posts:
- How To Hike The Savage Alpine Trail In Denali National Park
- A Complete Guide To Denali National Park
- What To See And Do In Talkeetna, Alaska
- What To Do In Anchorage
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