Time is running out. The glaciers we once thought would last forever are melting at an alarming rate, shrinking year after year. But right now, you still have a chance—a chance to stand on ancient ice, hear it crack beneath your boots, and feel the chill of a frozen world that won’t be here for long.
These hikes take you deep into the heart of North America’s most breathtaking glaciers, where towering walls of ice, electric-blue crevasses, and raw, untouched beauty remain. But for how much longer? Lace up your boots—this is your invitation to witness them before they vanish.
1. Harding Icefield Trail, Alaska
There’s something otherworldly about standing on the edge of the Harding Icefield—a vast frozen expanse stretching beyond the horizon, dotted with jagged peaks known as nunataks piercing through the ice. This 8.2-mile round-trip hike is no easy feat, climbing nearly 3,500 feet in elevation, but the reward? Worth it. The journey starts in Kenai Fjords National Park, where lush green forests quickly give way to a stark, icy wonderland as you ascend.
One of the most mesmerizing aspects of Harding Icefield is its sheer scale and age. This is one of the largest icefields in the United States, and what you see is just a fraction—it feeds over 40 glaciers that trickle down into the valleys below. There’s a quiet hum in the air, a mix of wind, distant cracking ice, and the occasional rumble of shifting glaciers. Every step higher feels like stepping back in time to an Ice Age landscape.
The final push to the top can be a leg burner, but when you reach the end of the trail at the icefield overlook, the view is pure magic. If you’ve ever wanted to feel small in the best way possible, standing above this massive frozen kingdom will do the trick. Don’t be surprised if you sit there in silence for a while—just soaking it all in.
- Best Months to Visit: Late June – Early September
- Difficulty: Challenging (Steep climb, unpredictable weather)
- Distance: 8.2 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 3,500 feet
- Wildlife Encounters: Black bears, mountain goats, marmots
- Permits Required?: No, but backcountry camping requires one
- Pro Tip: Bring trekking poles and layers—the weather can shift fast, and parts of the trail are exposed to strong winds
2. Athabasca Glacier, Alberta, Canada
If you want a front-row seat to climate change, Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park is a sobering yet breathtaking destination. This glacier is one of the most accessible in North America, and while you can see it from the road, walking on it is an entirely different experience. Guided tours take you onto the ice, where you’ll hear the eerie melting and shifting of this ancient glacier beneath your feet.
The Columbia Icefield feeds Athabasca, making it part of the largest glacial system in the Rocky Mountains. Standing here, it’s hard not to feel a mix of awe and urgency—this glacier is rapidly shrinking due to rising temperatures, receding nearly 5 meters every year. Guides will point out markers showing where the ice once stood just a few decades ago, and it’s staggering how much has disappeared.
One of the best parts? You can drink pure glacier water from deep crevasses. It’s the coldest, cleanest water you’ll ever taste. But be careful—walking on a glacier without proper equipment is dangerous, as there are hidden crevasses that can swallow you whole. Always go with a guide unless you’re a trained glacier hiker.
- Best Months to Visit: June – September
- Difficulty: Moderate (Easy access, but ice walking requires balance)
- Distance: Varies; guided tours cover about 2 miles
- Elevation Gain: Minimal
- Wildlife Encounters: Mountain goats, pika, and occasional grizzlies
- Permits Required? No, but guided tours are highly recommended
- Pro Tip: Avoid midday crowds—early morning or late afternoon tours feel more intimate
3. Exit Glacier, Alaska
If you’re looking for a hike where you can watch climate change in action, Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park is a must-see. The hike itself is relatively easy, but the deeper impact of the experience is unforgettable. There are markers along the trail showing where the glacier used to be, and each one tells a story of retreating ice over the years. It’s stunning—and a little heartbreaking.
This 2.2-mile round-trip hike takes you to an incredible overlook, where you can see the blue ice cascading down the valley. If you want something more adventurous, you can take the Harding Icefield Trail extension, which we covered earlier, to see where Exit Glacier originates.
What makes Exit Glacier extra special? You don’t just see it—you can hear it. The cracking, the trickling meltwater, the deep groaning sounds of the ice shifting—it’s an experience that sticks with you.
- Best Months to Visit: Late May – September
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (Short but with some incline)
- Distance: 2.2 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 400 feet
- Wildlife Encounters: Moose, bears, and bald eagles
- Permits Required?: No
- Pro Tip: Go early in the day to experience the glacier without crowds
4. Plain of Six Glaciers, Alberta, Canada
If you want a glacier hike with a side of afternoon tea, this is your dream trek. Located in Banff National Park, this hike starts at Lake Louise, one of the most famous (and photographed) lakes in the world. As you ascend, the crowds thin out, and suddenly, you’re walking alongside towering glaciers, rugged peaks, and the kind of views that feel straight out of a painting.
At the end of the trail, you’ll find the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House, a charming wooden cabin built in 1927, where you can sip hot tea while watching avalanches crash down the distant glaciers. It’s surreal, to say the least.
The return trip offers even better views, and if you’re lucky, you might spot grizzly bears from a safe distance.
- Best Months to Visit: July – early October
- Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
- Distance: 8.6 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 1,200 feet
- Wildlife Encounters: Grizzlies, marmots, and mountain goats
- Permits Required?: No
- Pro Tip: Bring cash for the tea house—no electricity, no credit cards!
5. Grinnell Glacier Trail, Montana
If you only do one hike in Glacier National Park, let it be this one. Grinnell Glacier is one of the last remaining glaciers in the park, and this hike takes you right to its edge. Along the way, expect jaw-dropping alpine views, turquoise lakes, and meadows bursting with wildflowers.
At 11 miles round trip, it’s a commitment, but seeing the deep blue ice of Grinnell up close is an experience you won’t forget. The final stretch requires some effort, but soaking your feet in the icy meltwater at the top is pure relief.
This is bear country, so keep your bear spray handy and hike in groups.
- Best Months to Visit: July – September
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Distance: 11 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 1,600 feet
- Wildlife Encounters: Bighorn sheep, grizzlies, moose
- Permits Required?: No
- Pro Tip: Start early to avoid afternoon thunderstorms
6. Root Glacier, Alaska
If you’ve ever dreamed of walking across a living, breathing glacier, Root Glacier in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is an adventure you won’t forget. This is one of the few places in the world where you can hike directly onto a glacier without requiring a guide—though if you’re new to ice trekking, a guided tour is always a good idea.
The experience is nothing short of surreal. With crystal-clear blue pools, massive ice formations, and deep crevasses, every step on Root Glacier feels like stepping onto another planet. The ice itself is a mix of pure white and electric blue, with patches of black volcanic ash from ancient eruptions adding to its mystique.
One of the best parts of this hike? You can drink straight from the glacier’s meltwater streams. Just kneel, scoop up the icy water, and taste nature at its purest. It’s a moment that makes you pause and appreciate just how alive this glacier is.
- Best Months to Visit: June – early September
- Difficulty: Moderate (Requires ice spikes or crampons for glacier walking)
- Distance: 5 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
- Wildlife Encounters: Bald eagles, Dall sheep, and the occasional black bear
- Permits Required?: No, but backcountry camping requires one
- Pro Tip: Wear waterproof hiking boots—walking on ice can be slushy in spots
7. Mount Edith Cavell Glacier Trail, Alberta, Canada
Some places just radiate a kind of untouched, sacred beauty, and Mount Edith Cavell is one of them. Tucked away in Jasper National Park, this short but unforgettable trail takes you through a breathtaking alpine valley, ending at the toe of Angel Glacier, where massive icebergs float in an emerald-green glacial lake.
Despite being just a 2.7-mile round trip, this hike packs in a dramatic mix of scenery—towering cliffs, hanging glaciers, and cascading waterfalls. The first part of the trail winds through lush wildflower meadows, but as you approach the glacier, the landscape becomes a rugged, rocky amphitheater where the sound of ice calving into the lake echoes across the valley.
Something is humbling about standing in the presence of a glacier that’s been shrinking rapidly in recent years. Angel Glacier, which once covered a much larger area, is now retreating at an alarming rate, with chunks of ice breaking off into the milky turquoise water below. It’s a stunning but bittersweet reminder of the fragile beauty of our planet.
- Best Months to Visit: July – mid-September
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (Short but some steep sections)
- Distance: 2.7 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
- Wildlife Encounters: Pikas, marmots, and mountain goats
- Permits Required?: No
- Pro Tip: Visit early morning for the best lighting and fewer crowds
8. Skywalk Glacier Hike, British Columbia, Canada
For those who love their glacier hikes with a side of adrenaline, the Skywalk Glacier Hike in Golden, British Columbia, is unlike anything else on this list. This trail doesn’t just take you to a glacier—it takes you over it, with sections that include suspended walkways, steel bridges, and heart-stopping cliffside views.
The journey begins in Yoho National Park, where the trail winds through alpine meadows before ascending toward a breathtaking ridge overlooking the Wapta Icefield. From here, it’s a straight-up mountain adventure—you’ll cross roaring glacial streams, navigate rocky moraines, and eventually reach an open plateau where ice and rock collide.
But the real highlight? The Skywalk itself—a glass-bottomed platform that extends over a sheer drop, giving you a direct view of the glacier beneath your feet. It’s a moment that makes your heart race, whether from excitement or sheer awe (or maybe both). If there’s ever been a time to slow down, breathe deep, and just soak in the power of nature, this is it.
- Best Months to Visit: July – September
- Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging (Some exposed sections, not for those afraid of heights)
- Distance: 6 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet
- Wildlife Encounters: Elk, grizzly bears, and golden eagles
- Permits Required?: No, but guided tours available
- Pro Tip: Wear layers and bring gloves—windchill on the glacier is no joke
