The 7 Anchorage Hiking Tours That Earn Their Price

1.Glacier Hike on Matanuska Glacier – Best Vacation Value

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 463 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $325Our pick

Leave Anchorage at 8 a.m. for a guided walk on Matanuska Glacier. PicTours Alaska supplies traction gear, helmets, and safety instruction, then leads you through blue ice, crevasses, and narrow passages. Guides such as Holly, Hunter, Patrick, and Grace also add local stories along the scenic drive.

“The Matanuska Glacier Hike was truly unforgettable—especially for us coming from the Philippines, where glaciers are unheard of. Being up close to the ice was surreal. Our guide, Hunter, was incredibly knowledgeable and made sure everyone felt safe while sharing fascinating insights about Alaska’s history and geography. We left with hearts full of awe and memories that will last forever. Truly, a must-do adventure!”

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2.Matanuska Glacier Hike Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 396 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $329

Ride from Anchorage in a small Mercedes Sprinter van, learn about Alaska from guides such as Lori, Tony, and Billy, then spend about two hours on Matanuska Glacier with ice spikes and a specialist guide. Finish with lunch at a lodge overlooking the ice.

“I really enjoyed this experience. Start to finish it was smooth. Pick up and drop off at hotel made it convenient. Billy was our guide for the day-long excursion. He took pride in his job and provided good care, detailing what to expect and made sure we were all comfortable. Walking on the glacier was amazing! Tasting glacier water was a bonus.”

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3.Full-Day Matanuska Glacier Hike And Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 216 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $310

Travel from downtown Anchorage to Matanuska Glacier by small-group van, following the Glenn Highway and Matanuska River. Your glacier guide supplies walking equipment and leads you across blue ice, crevasses, and photo stops. Guides may include Sophie, Jason, Jacob, Morgan, or Chris, depending on the departure.

“Fabulous experience with very nice people. Wonderful good times. Both glacier guide and travel guide were excellent Thank you”

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4.Hike Matanuska Glacier w/Alaska Local Honey, Wine Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 89 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $310

Travel from Anchorage to Matanuska Glacier for a guided walk among blue ice, crevasses, and towering walls. Crampons, snacks, water, and snow pants are supplied. Expect an active day, uneven ground, and roughly two hours each way in the van, followed by a short Palmer stop and local honey and wine visit.

“Great tour of the enormous glacier, we learned a lot of interesting facts from Frank our glacier tour guide. Frank was patient with our group as some people had an easier time with the terrain than others. Things to note, it is cold there even in July, wear layers including a winter jacket, wear hiking shoes or boots even though they give you crampons, and know that the terrain isn’t even. All that being said, we loved the hike and would do it again. BTW, my husband and I are both over 60 yrs old. The honey and “wine” tasting were definitely not the highlight of the trip.”

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5.Full-Day Matanuska Glacier Hike and Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 48 reviews · 8 hours · from $369

Ride from downtown Anchorage to Matanuska Glacier, then walk across the ice with cleats and a local guide. Gary, Slim, and Martha have led especially well-reviewed outings, while the glacier guide explains the ice and regional natural history. Bring layers, snacks, and a camera.

“Gary the driver was excellent. Walking in the glacier was exhilarating. Great experience overall”

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6.Matanuska Glacier Hike with Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 20 reviews · 8 hours · from $329

You’ll ride from Anchorage to Matanuska Glacier, then spend about three hours on the ice with an English-speaking guide. Expect towering ice formations, crevasses, geological stories, included safety gear, gloves, and snow pants, plus hotel or Airbnb pickup.

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7.Valley and Forest Hike with Naturalist Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 20 reviews · 5 hours · from $179Best value

Join a small group of up to 12 for a five-hour hike from downtown Anchorage into Eagle River Nature Center and Chugach State Park. Guides such as Abe and Michael explain plants, wildlife, salmon streams, and glaciated valleys before a short walk to Barbara Falls.

“The tour was good, the guide very knowledgeable. My brother enjoyed learning about the different berries to eat and what not to eat. We did see a big bull moose on our trail, luckily our guide saw it before we got too close and he was able to keep us safe as we took pictures. I had been looking forward to seeing the water falls, but our guide received a call from a fellow guide that a bear was near the falls and had attacked someone. Lucky the person survived and was not as bad off as he could have been.”

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