Kenai Fjords National Park · Alaska

Harding Icefield Trail

4.1 mi of trail, end to end · Hike the Harding Icefield Trail: 8.2 mi round trip in the Service's write-up · about 3,100 ft of climbing · 493 ft–3,555 ft · native surface · trail class Developed · hiking

Views

1,731 ft 3,304 ft · 1.9 mi high 3,342 ft

Along the way Harding Icefield Overlook Top of the Cliffs Overlook

Trailhead Harding Icefield Trailhead 492 ft Drive there

Hike the Harding Icefield Trail 8.2 mi round trip · the Park Service's write-up

6-8 Hours · no dogs · Summer, Fall · season Snow can often still be found on the trail until late-June to early-July. Avalanche hazards can exist in late spring and early summer as well. New snow could be found on the trail during the fall. Check <a href="https://www.nps.gov/kefj/planyourvisit/conditions.htm">current conditions</a> before heading out on the trail.

Start Exit Glacier Area

View of a glacier and icefield with mountains in the background.

Ranger Recommendation

Keep your eyes open! Stops along the way at Marmot Meadows (1.4 miles) and Top of the Cliff (2.4 miles) provide scenic vistas to take a break during your journey or turn around for a shorter hike. Watch for wildlife throughout your hike, as bears, mountain goats, hoary marmots, and others, have all been seen from the trail.

Be prepared! Check on trail conditions before starting out - the upper portion of the trail is often covered with snow through early July, and there may be avalanche danger. Be prepared for storms, high winds, intense sunlight, and sudden temperature changes. Bring warm clothes, rain gear, sturdy footwear, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Carry plenty of water (at least 2 liters per person).

Stay on the trail. Alpine vegetation is extremely fragile. Careless hikers who cut switchbacks, along with frequent summer rains, cause tremendous erosion. Volunteers help restore and maintain this trail every year. Please respect their hard work by sticking to the trail.

Accessibility The trail ascends steeply over the 4.1 miles, gaining around 3500' of elevation. The surface can be muddy, slippery, rocky and include snow and ice depending on the time of year. Though pets are prohibited on this trail, service animals are able to accompany visitors.

This hike on nps.gov

Other trails from the Harding Icefield Trailhead

All 13 trails in Kenai Fjords National ParkFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.