Hike Into The Forest To Find This Hidden Frozen Waterfall In Alaska On The Cathedral Falls Trail

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.

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.

As you hike out onto the river, make sure the ice is frozen and thick enough to bear your weight.

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.

In fact, they look amazing from every angle!

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.

The entire trip is about 8.9 miles.

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.

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.

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.

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.