Hiking Southeast Alaska
Tongass rainforest, tidewater glaciers, and wildlife on its own terms.
Sample Southeast Alaska Itineraries
Sample itineraries will be available soon. In the meantime, check out the Juneau area trails below to get a sense of what’s out there. Every trip is tailored to your group. Get in touch and we’ll put together something that fits your schedule, pace, and interests.
Juneau Area Trails
Juneau is surrounded by the Tongass National Forest - the largest temperate rainforest in the world. Every trail here walks you through ancient forest, along glacial rivers, or up to alpine ridgelines with views of the Inside Passage. We’ll work with your cruise schedule to design an itinerary that fits your time in port.
East Glacier Trail
Winding through Tongass rainforest along the edge of Mendenhall Lake, this trail offers views of Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls. The forest here is dense with moss, ferns, and Sitka spruce. Black bears and bald eagles are common sightings along the way. A quintessential Juneau hike.
Nugget Creek Trail
A quieter extension that branches off the East Glacier Trail and follows Nugget Creek deeper into the Tongass. The path climbs gradually through old-growth spruce and hemlock, crosses footbridges, and ends near the Nugget Creek Cabin with views back toward the Mendenhall valley. A good choice for guests who want a fuller day on the trail away from the busier glacier-area paths.
West Glacier Trail
This trail takes you along the side of Mendenhall Glacier with increasingly dramatic views as you climb. You’ll pass waterfalls, cross rocky creek beds, and walk through old-growth forest before reaching viewpoints where the scale of the glacier becomes overwhelming. Our most immersive Juneau hike.
Nugget Falls Trail
A flat, paved trail from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center to the base of Nugget Falls, a 377-foot waterfall fed by glacial melt. The walk is easy and the payoff is spectacular - you’ll feel the mist on your face with the glacier as a backdrop. Ideal for families and visitors of all abilities.
Treadwell Mine Historic Trail
Walk through the ruins of what was once the largest gold mine in the world. The forest has reclaimed the old buildings, machinery, and mine shafts on Douglas Island. It’s a fascinating blend of natural beauty and industrial history, with beach access and views across Gastineau Channel to Juneau.
Rainforest Trail
A boardwalk loop through old-growth temperate rainforest near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. Interpretive signs explain the ecology of the Tongass. This is our best trail for guests with limited time or mobility who still want to experience the rainforest up close.
Herbert Glacier Trail
A riverside trail through old-growth rainforest that ends at the face of Herbert Glacier. The path follows the Herbert River through towering Sitka spruce and western hemlock, crossing footbridges and passing through meadows before opening to a glacial outwash plain with views of the ice. Quieter than the Mendenhall trails and one of the most rewarding day hikes near Juneau.
Cruise Ship Visitors
Make the most of your time in port.
Tailored to Your Schedule
We know exactly how much time you have and which trails fit your port window. We’ll arrange a convenient meeting point and have you back with time to spare. No stress, no rushing - just a real hike with a local guide instead of a bus tour.
Small Group, Big Difference
While the big excursion companies load 40 people onto a bus, you’ll be on a quiet trail with a handful of fellow hikers. You’ll see more wildlife, hear more birds, and actually experience Alaska rather than just looking at it through a window.
Planning a cruise to Juneau? Visit our cruise ship excursions page for trails, itineraries, and everything you need to know.
Beyond Juneau
Juneau is our home base, but Southeast Alaska has more to explore.
Tongass National Forest
Nearly 17 million acres of temperate rainforest spanning the length of Southeast Alaska. The Tongass is the largest national forest in the country, home to brown bears, wolves, and some of the oldest trees on the continent. Many of our trails wind through its ancient groves.
Visit official site →
Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center
The gateway to the Mendenhall Glacier and several of our favorite trails. The visitor center features exhibits on glaciology, the Tongass ecosystem, and the Tlingit people who have called this area home for thousands of years.
Visit official site →
Admiralty Island
Known as Kootznoowoo (“Fortress of the Bears” in Tlingit), Admiralty Island has one of the highest densities of brown bears in the world. Accessible by boat from Juneau, it offers remote coastal trails and true wilderness just a short ride from town.
From the Trails
Snapshots from Juneau and the Tongass.
The Land and Its People
Every trail we walk in Southeast Alaska is on Tlingit Aaní, Tlingit homeland. The Tlingit have lived here for at least 10,000 years, and the region remains their land.
Tlingit Aaní
The Juneau area sits at the intersection of two Tlingit kwáan (tribal groups): the Áak’w Ḵwáan, whose territory includes Auke Bay and the Mendenhall area, and the T’aaḵú Ḵwáan of the Taku River. The Haida and Tsimshian also have deep ties to the broader Southeast.
Place Names
Many of the places we visit carry Tlingit names. The Tongass takes its name from the Taant’a Ḵwáan; Admiralty Island is Xutsnoowú, “Fortress of the Bears.” Streams and ridges across the area carry names from the Tlingit language, some still in use, some translated, some lost.
How We Walk Here
We don’t claim to teach Tlingit culture. That’s not our story to tell. We do try to know enough to walk respectfully, and we point guests toward Tlingit-led places like the Walter Soboleff Building and Sealaska Heritage Institute in downtown Juneau where the story is told by the people who live it.
For more on the peoples of this region and resources to learn from, see The Land and Its People.
What to Expect
The Landscape
Temperate rainforest, tidewater glaciers, mountain lakes, and coastal shorelines. The Tongass is lush, green, and ancient - trees here can be 800 years old. Expect moss-covered everything and air that smells like rain and cedar.
Wildlife
Brown and black bears, bald eagles, humpback whales (from shore), Sitka black-tailed deer, harbor seals, and salmon runs in summer. We carry bear spray and know how to move safely in bear country.
Weather
Juneau gets rain - plan for it and embrace it. We hike in all but the most severe weather. Layers and rain gear are essential. The upside: overcast days make the forest glow, and you often get the trails to yourself.
Season
We guide in Southeast Alaska in June and July when daylight is long, temperatures are mild, and the salmon are starting to run. These are the best months for wildlife activity and comfortable hiking conditions.
Ready to explore? Check our packing list for what to bring, then get in touch and we’ll put together an itinerary that fits your group.
Other Things to See
When you’re not on the trail, there’s plenty to see and do in Juneau and the surrounding area.
Downtown Juneau Dining
Juneau’s downtown is packed with great food for a small city. Fresh-caught halibut and salmon are on nearly every menu, and local spots range from waterfront seafood houses to cozy cafes and craft breweries. A perfect way to refuel after a day on the trail.
Check restaurants for hoursAlaska State Museum
Explore Alaska’s natural and cultural history, from Tlingit art and artifacts to exhibits on the gold rush, wildlife, and the state’s diverse ecosystems. A full-size bald eagle nesting tree greets you inside. Located in downtown Juneau, an easy walk from the cruise ship port.
Year-RoundVisit official site →
Whale Watching
Juneau is one of the best places in the world to see humpback whales. Several local operators run small-boat tours into the channels where whales feed throughout the summer. Orcas, harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and bald eagles are common bonus sightings.
May–September