Alaska Walking
From Homer to Seward on the Kenai Peninsula
It feels like the end of the earth... or the beginning of it. Two legs take you to places that few humans have seen. Glaciers sheer down mountainsides to waters brimming with sea life. Poets fish - and fishers write poetry - in the coastal town of Homer. You marvel as Kachemak Bay shows you all its weather, or when your hiking "companions" on the Ptarmigan Lake trail are sockeye salmon swimming upstream. Your sense of the wilderness will never be the same after this. Come hike a trail in a place with very few of them.
- The hike of a lifetime along Exit Glacier to staggering views of Resurrection River Valley and Harding Icefield
- Boat across Kachemak Bay, then trek to amazing Grewingk Glacier
- Coastal towns of Homer and Seward
- Watch for black bears, mountain goats and salmon swimming upstream
- Discover Ptarmigan Lake's alpine splendor
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1 The quaint coastal town of Homer see for yourself why it was nicknamed "The End of the Road" 
Hike along bluffs overlooking town and the dramatic Kachemak Bay, a 40-mile-long arm of the Cook Inlet.
Day 2 Boat across Kachemak Bay, then trek to amazing Grewingk Glacier, where you may spot caribou and Dall sheep En route to Glacier Lake, you're surrounded by Kachemak Bay State Park's 400,000 acres of wilderness, reachable only by air and sea Care to meet some water-loving locals? Sea otters, porpoises, loons and bald eagles might say hello.
Days 3-4 Watch for black bears, mountain goats and salmon swimming upstream at the Russian River You may feel you've struck gold with the incredible scenery along the Russian Lakes Trail Enjoy the wildflowers on a steep but rewarding hike to stunning Carter Lake The picturesque town of Seward invites a wander.
Days 5-6 The hike of a lifetime along Exit Glacier to staggering views of Resurrection River Valley and Harding Icefield, a glacier spanning more than 900 square miles Keep your eyes out for moose, bears and marmots in the dense forest of Kenai Fjords National Park Discover Ptarmigan Lake's splendor - it's a turquoise gem tucked into a wooded alpine landscape.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
Yellowstone Walking Canadian Rockies Walking Glacier WalkingOther National Parks Trips
Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
A phenomenal experience filled with sensory awe and everlasting memories. The local guides and leaders were more than simply competent - they were effervescent personalities that precisely complemented the experience. We trekked to locations that we could not have imagined, enjoyed vistas that no camera picture will ever fully capture. It was, quite simply, the best.- Oceanside, CA More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 32 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. To see all our walking tours and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning multisport tours click here.
Alaska Walking
Casual Inns
Land's End Resort
Homer (2 nights) Commune with eagles, otters and seals, where land meets sea on scenic Kachemak Bay.
Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge
Cooper Landing (1 night) Bungalow-style rooms with wood-burning stoves, set in the lush Kenai River Valley.
Seward Windsong Lodge
Seward (2 nights) Nestled in the woods near Exit Glacier with expansive vistas of the striking Resurrection River Valley.
Alaska Walking
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Level 1
1 Route Option Available
- 2 miles
- 100 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 4 2 Route Options Available
- 4, 10 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Level 2 1 Route Option Available
- 5 miles
- 200 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Level 3 1 Route Option Available
- 6.5 miles
- 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 2 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 4, 6, 8 miles
- 2000 - 3200 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 2 1 Route Option Available
- 7 miles
- 600 feet elevation gain
Terrain Description
Alpine trails, meadow paths, rain forest hikes.