Guided Hike | TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST in Sitka
Sitka, United States

Guided Hike | TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST

Outty Ranking 84 4.9 · 128 traveler reviews2 hoursFrom $119

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

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Age 12 and under

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From, per person$119
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Outty Ranking

84/100

Exceptional. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.9/5

Based on 128 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Guided Hike | TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST worth booking?

Guided Hike | TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST is a 2-hour experience in Sitka, United States, from $119 per person. It scores 84 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 128 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
84 / 100
Rating
4.9/5 (128)
Duration
2 hours
From
$119 per person

PERFECT FOR CRUISE PASSENGERS- The gentle giant of the Tongass National Forest will capture your heart. • See eagles, pick edible berries, spot salmon (Seasonally dependent) • Learn from your local guide about life in

What you get

    About this experience

    PERFECT FOR CRUISE PASSENGERS- The gentle giant of the Tongass National Forest will capture your heart. • See eagles, pick edible berries, spot salmon (Seasonally dependent) • Learn from your local guide about life in Sitka • Hike safely in America’s largest National Forest • Snacks provided • Adjust the skill level to fit your group’s needs LOCAL WILDLIFE & TREES: On this tour, you will spot bald eagles in the trees and (if the season is right) salmon spawning. Wild berries along the path: edible and clean. Your guide is familiar with all local berries and mushrooms! EXPERIENCE THE RAINFOREST: We will talk about the way the mountains, forest, and ocean have been traditionally used, and are still used today, for subsistence, foraging & hunting by the Tlingit. HIKE SAFELY: Your guide will give a hiking-safety briefing before entering the National Forest. We monitor trail conditions to ensure that these hikes are completely safe. Our guides have years of experience on these trails.

    What's included

    Included

    • Trekking Poles (At Special Request)
    • Sunscreen
    • Bottled water
    • Snacks
    • Safety Equipment & Instruction
    • Resident Guide

    Not included

    • Transportation (Hike starts from free cruise shuttle drop-off)
    • Gratuities (Always appreciated by our passionate guides!)

    What you'll see and do

    1. Russian Bishop's House

      Here the hike will discuss the imperial history of this land: your guide will discuss the Russian history of Sitka, as well as the Russian Orthodox Church, and the impact of Russian colonization on the Alaskan national forest.

      5 minutes here

    2. The first stop on the tour is in front of picturesque Crescent Harbor. The guide will explain the daily workings of a fishing town in Alaska from the personal perspective of a commercial and charter fisherman.

      5 minutes here

    3. Sitka

      We will see and discuss the Tlingit Totem Pole on Sitka's Seawalk. Before we reach the trailhead, the hike parallels the main street Lincoln St.

      5 minutes here

    4. Your guide will bring you into the Tongass National Forest. Your small group will spend 90 minutes hiking. The base trail is gravel and fairly flat. There is an option to follow the boardwalk into the muskeg (swamplands), or a more rigorous route that climbs up into the mountains.

      90 minutes here

    5. Sitka

      Depending on your group's desires we can end the tour either at the cruise shuttle pick-up site OR at the main gathering of local food trucks.

      Pass by without stopping

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Sitka

    CRUISE PASSENGERS: Take the free shuttle from the cruise ships into downtown. Your guide will be dressed in a red jacket, at the LEFT CORNER of the main building in front of the shuttle drop-off (Centennial Hall). If you are not on a cruise: please still meet in front of Centennial Hall.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    CRUISE PASSENGERS: Take the free shuttle from the cruise ships into downtown. Your guide will be dressed in a red jacket, at the LEFT CORNER of the main building in front of the shuttle drop-off (Centennial Hall). If you are not on a cruise: please still meet in front of Centennial Hall.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 6 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Sitka Walking Tours

    Know before you go

    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

    Photos

    Guided Hike | TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST in Sitka, photo 2Guided Hike | TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST in Sitka, photo 3Guided Hike | TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST in Sitka, photo 4Guided Hike | TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST in Sitka, photo 5Guided Hike | TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST in Sitka, photo 6Guided Hike | TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST in Sitka, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 125 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    8 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    7 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Physical effort

    6 mentions

    Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

    Traveler reviews

    125 verified traveler reviews for Guided Hike | TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    116
    4 star
    4
    3 star
    4
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    1
    Sort
    Stephanie_M · August 2026

    Forest tour

    Great tour guide! Very friendly! Informative. Kind guide- very knowledgeable. Learned a lot. We really enjoyed it

    via Viator

    Clare_R · August 2026

    Beautiful walk in the rainforest

    A beautiful walk in the rainforest. Our guide Sam was really knowledgeable and shared a lot of information about the environment and history of the area. Thanks Sam!

    via Viator

    Departure688675 · August 2026

    Tongass trail hike -excellent!

    Nephi is such a knowledgeable and friendly tour guide. We highly recommend this hike! it’s easy enough for beginner hikers. Don’t hesitate!!

    via Tripadvisor

    Brett_R · August 2026

    Tongass Hike with Nephi - Aug 2026

    It was a rainy day, so our tour group was just my wife and I. Nephi, our guide, was absolutely fantastic. Knowledgeable and shared what he knew and made the trip very enjoyable. I would highly recommend this. As for the hike, the trails are very well kept we ended up going about 3.7 miles round-trip in the allotted time, but we stopped to take pictures and talk about various flora and fauna. Afterwards, we had the opportunity to stop at spots in town before heading back.

    via Viator

    L6159LZgregd · August 2026

    Hiking

    Lani was wonderful full of energy very knowledgeable on plants and wildlife

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    2 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    45
    Verdict
    Exceptional

    Why this scores 84

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)92
    Review evidence (18% weight)79
    Booking momentum (14% weight)75
    Value for money (12% weight)85
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)62
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Guided Hike | TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Sitka.

    How much does Guided Hike | TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST cost?

    +

    Prices start at $119 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Sitka usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Guided Hike | TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST take?

    +

    Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Sitka is not rushed.

    Is Guided Hike | TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 84 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 128 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Sitka, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Guided Hike | TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Guided Hike | TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Guided Hike | TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST?

    +

    Around 45 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Sitka can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Sitka and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Guided Hike | TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Sitka within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Sitka?

    +

    Sitka runs sea otter and whale quest boats, bear and raptor rescue centre visits, Tongass rainforest hikes, kayak paddles through the islands and Russian colonial history walks. On Outty we rank every Sitka experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include PREMIUM Sitka Scenic Tour, Best of Sitka Land Tour / Bears, Raptors, Totems, Sitka Premier Whale Watching and Wildlife Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Sitka?

    +

    May to September. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Sitka?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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