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Day hike / approach · Kenai Peninsula & Turnagain
Harding Icefield Trail
A steep climb above Exit Glacier near Seward to a view across the Harding Icefield.
- Season
- Summer. NPS says snow and avalanche risk can cover the upper trail into July, and calls it a mountaineering route in winter and in the Oct–Nov and May–Jun shoulder seasons.
- Distance
- 7.8 mi round trip, or 3.9 mi from the trail register to the end (NPS)
- Elevation
- About 1,000 ft of gain per mile (NPS). Allow 6–8 hours.
- Shelter
- There's an emergency shelter at the top, and camping in it isn't allowed (NPS).
- Booking
- None for day hikes. Camping must be at least 1/8 mi off the trail on bare rock or snow (NPS).
- Avalanche center
- No avalanche center covers this trail. Check NPS trail conditions, and the CNFAC Seward/Lost Lake zone for regional snowpack.
Overview
The Harding Icefield Trail starts in Kenai Fjords National Park's Exit Glacier area and climbs through cottonwood and alder, then heather meadows, then above treeline to a view across the icefield.
This is an approach hike, not a glacier crossing. Don't go out onto the icefield unless your team is trained and equipped for glacier travel and crevasse rescue.
Rules, permits, and etiquette
- No pets on the trail. Pack out everything, including toilet paper.
- Stay on the trail, because alpine vegetation is fragile (NPS).
Access, trailheads, and fees
- Trailhead: Exit Glacier area, Kenai Fjords National Park, near Seward. Check NPS current conditions for road and trail status.
Hazards
- Avalanche and steep snow. Snow can cover the upper trail into July. In winter NPS lists the skills you need: steep snow, self-arrest, and avalanche rescue.
- Bears. NPS says black bears are seen from this trail almost every day. Make noise, and never get between a sow and her cubs.
- Weather and sun. Expect storms, high winds, and strong sun. Carry at least 2 liters of water.
- Glacier travel. Leaving the trail onto the icefield is roped glacier travel.
Avalanche: before any snow-season trip, check our avalanche conditions page and the full CNFAC (regional).
Skills you need
- Strenuous day hiking
- Shoulder season and winter: ice axe, self-arrest, avalanche rescue (NPS)
Gear
NPS's winter list includes an ice axe, snowshoes or skis, a beacon, a probe, a shovel, and a communication device, since there's no cell service.
Our lists: Backpacking kit
Map: huts, cabins, and trailheads
Trailhead point from the NPS places record. No route line is drawn, so use the NPS trail map. Basemap: USGS The National Map. Don't navigate with this map.
- Harding Icefield Trailhead (NPS): 60.18400, -149.63776 source