Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike Juneau
Juneau, United States

Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike Juneau

Outty Ranking 77 4.9 · 133 traveler reviews6 hoursFrom $249
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Outty Ranking

77/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.9/5

Based on 133 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike Juneau worth booking?

Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike Juneau is a 6-hour experience in Juneau, United States, from $249 per person. It scores 77 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 133 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
77 / 100
Rating
4.9/5 (133)
Duration
6 hours
From
$249 per person

Experience the Mendenhall Glacier Guide Hike, a thrilling 6-7 mile adventure! Your journey begins with a 3-mile trek through the Tongass National Forest, the world's largest temperate rainforest. Your experienced guide will lead you through this wilderness, winding past beaver ponds and scrambling up exposed glacial terrain, where the trail fades into the wild. Upon emerging from the forest and reaching the final ridge, you'll be greeted by the breathtaking view of the Mendenhall Glacier's jagged facade and its ice river. Here, we savor panoramic views of the glacier, indulge in hearty snacks, and capture awe-inspiring photos. Gaze upon the glacier's deep blue crevasses, cascading icefall, surrounding mountains and Nugget Falls. This hiking tour is not for the faint of heart; it demands exceptional balance and sure-footedness. The trail includes 800 feet of elevation gain, through rocky, uneven, and slippery terrain. It's a memorable journey that promises unforgettable views.

What you get

    About this experience

    Experience the Mendenhall Glacier Guide Hike, a thrilling 6-7 mile adventure! Your journey begins with a 3-mile trek through the Tongass National Forest, the world's largest temperate rainforest. Your experienced guide will lead you through this wilderness, winding past beaver ponds and scrambling up exposed glacial terrain, where the trail fades into the wild. Upon emerging from the forest and reaching the final ridge, you'll be greeted by the breathtaking view of the Mendenhall Glacier's jagged facade and its ice river. Here, we savor panoramic views of the glacier, indulge in hearty snacks, and capture awe-inspiring photos. Gaze upon the glacier's deep blue crevasses, cascading icefall, surrounding mountains and Nugget Falls. This hiking tour is not for the faint of heart; it demands exceptional balance and sure-footedness. The trail includes 800 feet of elevation gain, through rocky, uneven, and slippery terrain. It's a memorable journey that promises unforgettable views.

    What's included

    Included

    • Backpack, rain jacket and pants -- please advise supplier of rain gear sizing
    • Roundtrip transportation from designated meeting point
    • Professional guide
    • Hotel pickup and drop off
    • Hearty snack/bottled water

    Not included

    • Gratuities

    What you'll see and do

    1. Mendenhall Glacier

      located just 12 miles from downtown Juneau, Alaska. It is the only glacier in Southeast Alaska accessible by road. Famous for its brilliant blue ice and calving icebergs, it is a prime destination for hiking, wildlife viewing, and ice cave exploration.

      60 minutes here

    2. Tongass National Forest

      The Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska is the largest U.S. National Forest at 16.7 million acres, an expanse larger than 10 U.S. states and 75 U.N. member nations. Most of its area is temperate rain forest and is remote enough to be home to many species of endangered and rare flora and fauna.

      Pass by without stopping

    3. West Glacier Trailhead

      The West Glacier Trail, located near Juneau, Alaska, offers a unique opportunity to experience the beauty and power of the Mendenhall Glacier. This trail follows the western side of Mendenhall Lake, leading hikers towards the glacier as it descends from the mountains.

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Juneau

    The “C” Sign, located near the cruise ship docks directly between Mt. Roberts Tramway and the green Taku Smokeries building, is our centralized downtown meeting location for all clients in the downtown area, including the majority of cruise ship passengers.

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.

    Ends at

    The “C” Sign, located near the cruise ship docks directly between Mt. Roberts Tramway and the green Taku Smokeries building, is our centralized downtown meeting location for all clients in the downtown area, including the majority of cruise ship passengers.

    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 12 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Above and Beyond Alaska

    Know before you go

    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
    • Please note, this tour requires a minimum of 4 to operate. If minimum requirement is not met, reservation is subject to change or cancellation.
    • Minimum age is 10 years. For families with children between 8-9, we can customize a private trip.
    • All clients must be in good enough shape, conditioned and capable of hiking up to 4 hours, covering about 7 miles roundtrip.
    • Clients need to wear sturdy hiking boots that provide good ankle support while hiking on uneven, rocky terrain . All clients will need to hike with a backpack the entire way on this trip.
    • Due to the inherent risks involved, we do not permit pregnant guests to participant
    • This tour does not include trekking on the glacier or exploring around the glacier's edge, but will get groups to the glacier view vista.
    • A specific amount of time spent at the glacier viewing area cannot be guaranteed. The amount time is dependent on the group's pace and weather conditions.
    • With group departures we try to maximize our trip capacity and subsequently may need to alter the time to accommodate additional customers. If your trip's departure time changes we will notify you as soon as possible.
    • Clients must disclose information regarding pertinent medical conditions/history, allergies and any type of restriction or limitation that might introduce a higher degree of challenge on this trip.
    • A rescue fee of $250 per client will be charged for any rescue based on the client’s inability to complete the trek due to undisclosed medical conditions/limitations or an insufficient level of physical fitness that significantly inhibits the group’s pace.
    • RELEASE OF LIABILITY/ASSUMPTION OF RISK FORM: Every participant on the trip must sign a Release of Liability/Assumption of Risk form at the start of the trip. Alterations and/or deletions to the waiver are not permitted.

    Photos

    Mendenhall Glacier Hike, Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike JuneauMendenhall Glacier Hike, Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike JuneauMendenhall Glacier Hike, Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike JuneauMendenhall Glacier Hike, Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike JuneauMendenhall Glacier Hike, Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike JuneauMendenhall Glacier Hike, Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike Juneau

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 133 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    9 mentions

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

    Physical effort

    8 mentions

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

    Photo opportunities

    7 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    4 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Traveler reviews

    133 verified traveler reviews for Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike Juneau. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    129
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    S8757WQchrish · September 2026

    Awesome Hike best way to see the glacier

    Was an amazing hike and the highlight of our visit to Alaska our guides were amazing and recommend to anyone who is visiting Juneau

    Response from the operator: Thank you for the wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that the hike was a highlight of your Alaska visit. We truly appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you back to Juneau for another adventure!

    via Tripadvisor

    F4417BTmarks · September 2026

    Let's do it Again!

    Amelia was our guide and set the tone for a fun and informative hike. The scenery of course was amazing. Susie appreciated the pace of the hike allowing for a comfortable rate going up and DOWN on the significant rock scramble areas. Was a memorable great experience and highly recommend...and don't forget the provided snacks. Thanks also to our new-found friends Tom and Sandeep. We couldn't have picked better random strangers to hike with.

    Response from the operator: Thank you for the wonderful review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the scenery, comfortable pace, and fun, informative experience. It sounds like you made some great memories—and new friends—along the way! We truly appreciate the recommendation and are thrilled you enjoyed the snacks, too!

    via Tripadvisor

    nancileet · September 2026

    Highly recommend this hike with Caleb and Daniel

    Amazing hike with Caleb and Daniel! Thankfully the weather was beautiful and we enjoyed scaling the trail to view Mendenhall Glacier, the Lake and the Ice Field. The guided made it very enjoyable!

    Response from the operator: Thank you for the wonderful review! We’re so glad you had beautiful weather and enjoyed the hike and incredible views on the tour. We truly appreciate you joining us!

    via Tripadvisor

    JerryBrownsFan · September 2026

    Amazing!

    One of the best decisions we made on our cruise. No better way to experience the glacier and Juneau. Great views and our guide, Heather, was amazing. She gave so much insight on the town, the glacier, and surrounding landscape. She had a warm and welcoming personality. Gear was good and when we got to the top of the glacier, we got to sit, relax and enjoy a nice snack. If you are in good shape, go for it! You won’t regret it. So happy we chose this excursion in Juneau. 🧊🥾⛰️

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear this was one of the highlights of your cruise and that you enjoyed the incredible glacier views, scenery, and overall experience. We’re especially glad our guide helped make the adventure both informative and welcoming. Thank you for choosing Above & Beyond Alaska and for the great recommendation!

    via Tripadvisor

    steveharney · July 2026

    Incredible views, a great guide, and an unforgettable hike!

    We had an amazingly beautiful hike, and an amazingly knowledgeable and kind guide! Transportation to and from the hike was on time and comfortable, and the trip was incredibly scenic.

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear you had such a beautiful and memorable hiking experience. We hope to welcome you back to Alaska for another adventure in the future!

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    6 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    Available for selected locations
    Booked in 30 days
    47
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Above and Beyond Alaska, who run 9 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 62.4.

    See everything Above and Beyond Alaska runs

    Why this scores 77

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

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)91
    Review evidence (18% weight)55
    Booking momentum (14% weight)50
    Value for money (12% weight)87
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)66
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike Juneau: questions travelers ask

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

    How much does Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike Juneau cost?

    +

    Prices start at $249 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Juneau usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike Juneau take?

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    Plan for about 6 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 Juneau is not rushed.

    Is Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike Juneau worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 77 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 133 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Juneau, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike Juneau?

    +

    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 Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike Juneau suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike Juneau?

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    Around 47 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 Juneau 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 Juneau and add a light layer if any part of the 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike Juneau start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Juneau 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 Juneau?

    +

    Juneau runs Mendenhall Glacier trips, whale watching in Auke Bay, helicopter glacier landings with dog sledding, and rainforest hikes. Most tours are timed to cruise ship windows, so we weight clear duration and pickup detail. On Outty we rank every Juneau experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching, Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier, Whales and Wilderness Exploration. 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 Juneau?

    +

    May to September, peaking for humpbacks in June and July. 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 Juneau?

    +

    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.

    What is included in Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike Juneau?

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    Included: Backpack, rain jacket and pants -- please advise supplier of rain gear sizing; Roundtrip transportation from designated meeting point; Professional guide; Hotel pickup and drop off; and Hearty snack/bottled water. Not included: Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike Juneau include hotel pickup?

    +

    Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 11 listed pickup locations in and around Juneau. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time.

    What languages is Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike Juneau offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike Juneau?

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    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike Juneau wheelchair or stroller accessible?

    +

    The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers; and Due to the inherent risks involved, we do not permit pregnant guests to participant. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike Juneau if the weather is bad?

    +

    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Juneau. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    What do travelers say about Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike Juneau?

    +

    Across 133 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, photo opportunities, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

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