Winter in Alaska is a wonderful season to get out and explore the natural beauty of our state. If you love the outdoors, and a good waterfall, this frozen waterfall trail in Alaska will take you out into the woods to spot this stunning natural feature. The Seward Waterfall Trail is an unofficial name; rather, you’ll be looking for the Cathedral Falls Trail, which will lead you past multiple stunning sights. And come winter, these frozen waterfalls in Alaska are even more spectacular! Grab a friend, some good hiking boots, and a pair of ice cleats, and get up close and personal to this amazing winter treat.

Seward is a wonderful place if you want to see some fabulous waterfall action.
Russell Zukerman/AllTrails
The Cathedral Falls Trail will take you out into the woods on Resurrection Bay, to a tall, stunning frozen waterfall. This trail is best traveled in the wintertime, so that you can hike along the frozen river and get close to the falls.
This trail out to Cathedral Falls follows the Tonsina Trail for the first 2.5 miles.
$15 $40 / AllTrails
As you hike out onto the river, make sure the ice is frozen and thick enough to bear your weight.
$15 $40 / AllTrails
You’ll have to do your own checks for safety, and if you were to fall through, cell service isn’t spectacular. It may be some time before you could expect help.
The falls are absolutely spectacular, and you’ll be blown away when you arrive.
$15 $40 / AllTrails
In fact, they look amazing from every angle!
Denine Greiner-Smith/AllTrails

Related Stories

Follow The Enchanting Boardwalk Up To An Alaskan Waterfall On This Short And Sweet Hike

Follow The Enchanting Boardwalk Up To An Alaskan Waterfall On This Short And Sweet Hike

 Hike To The Base of Tanalian Falls Along This Stunning Alaskan Trail On Lake Clark

Hike To The Base of Tanalian Falls Along This Stunning Alaskan Trail On Lake Clark

 Bridal Veil Falls In Alaska Was Named One Of The Top 10 Waterfalls In America

Bridal Veil Falls In Alaska Was Named One Of The Top 10 Waterfalls In America
Soaring up overhead, these falls offer one amazing view you won’t forget. Make sure to bring your camera, and take a break before you head back.
Darrel Foister/AllTrails
The entire trip is about 8.9 miles.
$15 $40 / AllTrails
Out and back, you can expect to cover 1,551 feet of elevation gain. You’ll want to dress warmly, in layers, and bring plenty of water and snacks.
Bring snowshoes if the snow is thick, or even some cross-country skis.
Jessica Coleman/AllTrails
When the conditions are right, this is a fantastic hike. This is one amazing trail you’ll want to enjoy before the snow begins to melt!
That said, this amazing trail is fun to do all year long, although you won’t be able to get as close to the waterfall as you can in the winter.
Robin Dern / AllTrails
When the conditions are right, this is a fantastic hike. This is one amazing trail you’ll want to enjoy before the snow begins to melt!
The parking fee is just a few dollars, and well worth the day pass. The trail starts at the Upper Tonsina trailhead.
Adam Ikeda / AllTrails
Want a bird’s eye view of the entire trail? Check out this amazing drone video taken one winter by John Coffey.

 

Depending on the rest of the year and current conditions, you’ll spot a few baby cascades along the way to Cathedral Falls. These pretty little water drops just add to the magic of the trail! Just be sure to go prepared with a GPS app and emergency gear – we want you to stay safe out there in the Last Frontier!

Have you ever hiked to see this frozen waterfall in Alaska? What did you think? Did you get all the way up to the waterfall? Let us know in the comments below!

If you’re looking for even more great places to chase waterfalls in Alaska, make sure to check out our Ultimate Bucket List for anyone who loves waterfall hikes.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Frozen Waterfall In Alaska

Jennifer | December 12, 2023

Is Alaska a good place to visit in the winter?

We might be a little biased, but we think Alaska is an absolutely dreamy winter destination. There are countless things to do even when the temperatures drop and the powder piles up! If Christmas is on the horizon, check out one of Alaska's local Christmas festivals to jumpstart the season. Or, visit one of Alaska's most charming Christmas towns!

Winter stretches well beyond the holiday season, though, so you'll also find plenty of things to do in Alaska that aren't all Christmas-themed. Really, anything you can do the rest of the year, you can do in winter! Take a gorgeous winter hike, check out the Northern lights, or take a winter train ride through Alaska's stunning backcountry. The list goes on!

What is the tallest waterfall in Alaska?

The Last Frontier has a spectacular abundance of waterfalls and natural beauty - including waterfalls! The tallest waterfall in Alaska is Pitchfork Falls in Skagway. This 2,100-foot stunner is so impressive that it can be seen from multiple countries. While not quite as tall as California's infamous Yosemite Falls, this is one waterfall in Alaska you won't want to miss on your bucket list adventure through the state.

Related Articles

Explore Alaska

Featured Addresses
Seward, AK, USA