There is something special about traveling in the wilderness at a slower pace, whether that is paddling a kayak on a serene lagoon and watching a black bear on the lagoon’s edge; floating in a raft at the pace of a river and keeping an eye out for moose and bald eagles; or hiking on the high alpine tundra deep in a wildlife refuge. We love exploring Alaska at this slower pace. Some special hikes have been featured for several years in our guided Adventures and Lodge-to-Lodge packages, and we recently introduced a brand new guided Adventure – the Alaska Hiking Adventure – showcasing the diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife and iconic vistas of Alaska.
One of the highlights of a stay at our remote, boat-in-only Kenai Backcountry Lodge is a beautiful hike to the alpine tundra to explore this remote area and enjoy stunning views of Skilak Lake, located in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. The lake is part of the Kenai River water system and is also fed by glacial runoff and meltwater from nearby Skilak Glacier. Gradual in elevation gain but leading to stunning views, this hike provides ample opportunity to explore several distinct areas of elevation and all with the reward of expansive views.
Casual forest walks and seacoast strolls are also a popular activity at our seacoast paradise, Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge. This lodge is located deep within Kenai Fjords National Park and is accessible only by boat. Though most guided hikes at this property are more casual to moderate in nature, as trail conditions allow, more strenuous hikes from the lodge may be available, offering stunning vistas of the surrounding bays, ocean and mountains.
A programming note: The hikes described here are representative of the type of hikes we do, and efforts are always made to complete the hike as described; however, we give discretion to our guides and staff to assess the conditions each day and make the best possible decision regarding specific activities based on weather, safety, wildlife, etc.
More information about Kenai National Wildlife Refuge can be found on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website. More information about Kenai Fjords National Park and Denali National Park can be found on the National Park Service website.