nycwoman100

Hello,

I am taking a cruise in South East Alaska for seven days. We were going to go to Denali beforehand, but don't have that much time, and it seems like it would be very rushed. Is there any hiking closer to either Anchorage or Sitka, which is our departure point. We aren't looking to do water activities since we'll be on a cruise for a week.
Thanks
Theresa

Gardyloo

How long would you have in either Anchorage or Sitka prior to the cruise? Will you have a car in Anchorage? As Janis says, the Harding icefield trail starts close to Seward, which is a 2-3 hour drive from Anchorage, and the hike is pretty much an all-day affair, so logistics might be an issue. There are guided tours from Anchorage to the Matanuska Glacier (including crampons, poles etc.) that you'll find with a short google, or there are some excellent hikes - short to strenuous - that you can take around Independence Mine at Hatcher Pass, around a 90 minute drive from town. Or you can take the aerial tram at Alyeska (in Girdwood, a scenic 45 minutes down Turnagain Arm) and hike into the hills, or back to the gondola base, from the top.

No experience with hikes around Sitka but the Alaska.org website usually has reliable recommendations - Sitka Hiking | The Best Trails For Hiking In Sitka

nycwoman100

Thank you so much! Very helpful