The Many Surprises You’ll Come Across While Hiking This Incredible Trail in Alaska

Alaska is a hiker’s paradise. The Last Frontier is home to breathtaking trails that take you to incredible landscapes, natural features, historic sites, and more. However, there is one trail that stands out, and I recommend adding it to your bucket list—Portage Pass Trail. Located in the Chugach National Forest, just a short drive from the small town of Whittier and approximately 60 miles from Anchorage, this trail checks off all the boxes for the perfect day hike, and may include a few surprises.

The Portage Pass Trail is an excellent option for beginner and expert hikers alike. It’s not too long—approximately 2 miles one way—and is considered moderate in difficulty. It does have a few hills to climb, as you’ll gain over 1,400 feet in elevation, but it’s not too overwhelming. Plus, the drive to the trailhead from Anchorage is incredibly scenic. It’s the perfect start to your adventure.

So, what makes this Alaska hiking trail a favorite among so many? Well, there are many surprises you will come across in such a short distance. As you hike, you’ll follow a well-maintained trail, and even though the route isn’t too difficult, I still recommend you take your time and stop to enjoy the views. Along your way, you may just find yourself completely stopped, captivated by the views of both Maynard Mountain and Shakespeare Shoulder on either side of you.

You’ll walk through a narrow valley between these massive mountains and next to a small lake. You may be surprised to see small waterfalls along the side of the trail and open skies overhead. In the summer months, you’ll come across wildflowers all along your way, adding patches of color to your journey, and in the late summer months, you may even spot berries growing along the trail. Just remember that this is bear country, and these creatures also love berries. Never tackle this trail or explore this area without carrying bear spray, wearing bear bells, and always traveling in a group.

However, our favorite surprise is the views you'll receive of Portage Glacier. Hiking the Portage Pass Trail is the only way to view the glacier on foot—otherwise, you must be on a boat. Plus, at the top of the pass, you can see where the glacier is retreating, or moving back. Years ago, you could walk from Portage Lake to a beach, and then toward Portage Glacier, where you could touch this remarkable natural wonder. Today, the glacier has moved so much that it now sits behind the north buttress of Byron Peak.

These are truly views of Portage Glacier that you won’t receive elsewhere—surprises that you’ll want a camera to capture.

While the trail is only a few miles long, you will certainly want to come prepared with the proper gear. Sturdy hiking boots and rain gear are strongly recommended. This trail is located in an area of Alaska that receives a heavy amount of rainfall. We also advise packing warm clothing, as your climb can be quite chilly, and the weather can quickly change.

Whether it is bodies of water, wildflowers, waterfalls, wildlife, or glacier views, there are surprises all along this Alaska trail. But one thing is for certain and will never change: Alaska's natural beauty.