Winter Valley and Forest Hike
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.5/5
Based on 13 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Winter Valley and Forest Hike worth booking?
Winter Valley and Forest Hike is a 5-hour experience in Anchorage, United States, from $179 per person. It scores 62 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 13 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 62 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (13)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $179 per person
If you've never been on a hike during the winter, you need to give it a shot. Winter hiking is a blast, and it's great for the mind and body during long periods of dark & cold. This tour holds plenty of opportunity for p
What you get
About this experience
If you've never been on a hike during the winter, you need to give it a shot. Winter hiking is a blast, and it's great for the mind and body during long periods of dark & cold. This tour holds plenty of opportunity for photos, and a comprehensive variety of the natural elements found in the boreal forests of Alaska, as well as a stop at a local waterfall. Sound like your style? • Hike along Chugach State Park's Eagle River and see ice-covered Barbara Falls! • Perfect for solo travelers and couples. • Enjoy breathtaking views of towering vistas. Amazing landscapes await your camera! • Learn about Alaska's glaciated valleys and boreal forests from an experienced gude. • Opportunity for wildlife sightings, including moose, hare, voles, and porcupine! Join us on a classic Alaskan adventure today!
What's included
Included
- Trekking poles
- Snow gaiters available upon request
- Snacks
- Micro-spikes, if needed
Not included
- No hotel, B&B, Air B&B, or other accommodation pickups.
- Must meet at designated meeting location or provide own transportation to trailhead.
- Snowboots or high-top hiking shoes.
- Appropriate clothing for snow.
What you'll see and do
The first portion takes you to the network of forested trails found at the Eagle River Nature Center, nestled deep along the north fork of the Chugach State Park's massive Eagle River. We'll go through snow covered spruces while keeping an eye out for wildlife. We may see the "American Dipper" swimming in an unfrozen tributary warmed by geothermal heat. Or we could see moose and small mammals like the snowshoe hare or red fox. Perhaps, even a porcupine! We also have the opportunity of hiking on top of Eagle River if it's frozen, which is quite an experience! For the second portion, we'll take a short ride to the Chugach State Park's best waterfall, Barbara Falls. This section is a short half mile walk that features incredible ice dams, shimmering snow crystals, and point-and-shoot photo opportunities around every corner. It's super rewarding and a great way to conclude our tour. Transportation included in total time of tour: (1 hour transportation & 4 hours hiking)
240 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Anchorage
We meet outside the Dena'ina Center. Please be parked and ready 15 minutes before the start time to ensure a timely departure. All tours leave no later than 5 minutes after the start time. There is no parking at the Dena'ina Center. The JCPenney Parking Garage is the best option, at 414 W 6th Ave.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We meet outside the Dena'ina Center. Please be parked and ready 15 minutes before the start time to ensure a timely departure. All tours leave no later than 5 minutes after the start time. There is no parking at the Dena'ina Center. The JCPenney Parking Garage is the best option, at 414 W 6th Ave.
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
- Go Hike Alaska
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Experience Suggestions: No experienced required, but you should be able to walk at least 7 miles on flat pavement, or 5 miles of uneven rolling terrain over the course of roughly 4 hours. Some parts of the trail are steep and hilly, placing additional stress on areas of the body not impacted by level terrain. Not recommended for those with cardiac or respiratory issues/illness. May be difficult for those with severe joint issues.
- Participation waiver signature required prior to departure.
- If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know and we will accommodate you with a different snack option.
- Appropriate winter clothing and footwear is the guests responsibility.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 13 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Physical effort
7 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
6 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
13 verified traveler reviews for Winter Valley and Forest Hike. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Nice winter experience
My daughter and I had a great time on this hike. I saw a review where someone complained that it was just a walk in the woods that you could do yourself using AllTrails. It's true that it's a simple walk in the woods, but for people are new to the area and flying in without renting a car and want to experience a short winter hike without trying to research trails, pick a place, figure out how to get there, which direction to go on the trail, etc., it's perfect! We paid an extra $25 to be picked up at our hotel. Since they did the driving, it left us free to enjoy the scenery along the way. Once we got there, they provided trail spikes and we just followed along as they led the way and showed us various plants and mushrooms and talked about the native wildlife. We just enjoyed the scenery and took pictures without worrying about a map and trail markers or going through wrong way when the trail forks. Afterwards, we relaxed as they drove us back and talked about the area. So it's great as long as you know what you are signing up for (someone to handle all the details while you just show up and follow along). It was worth it for us to have a small taste of the winter outdoors while being relieved of the planning and execution (stress-free) and to have knowledgeable people telling us about the area along the way. The scenery was beautiful. They are great company to have when hiking and were kind enough to take pictures along the way and airdrop them to us. The picture I attached is one they took. We really enjoyed it. Thanks!
Response from the operator: What a thorough and thoughtful review. This really answers the question of "why hire a guide?", and we are transparent about where we are taking you in the description. Thank you for taking the time to write this!
via Tripadvisor
Great hike
Beautiful snowy hike. Our guide was very experienced and knowledgeable. Loved hearing about all the wild edible plants and mushrooms. We went about four miles and saw lots of really pretty Mountain Views!
Response from the operator: Hello Laura! Glad you enjoyed the hike with your guide. The plants and mushrooms can be fascinating even in winter! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave us a review.
via Viator
Beautiful locations to...
Beautiful locations to hike and see. Our guide was super friendly and knowledgeable. Even got to try some wild highbush cranberries while we hiked.
Response from the operator: Right on! Frozen highbush cranberries can be delicious. You'll have to come back in the summer time to try them when they're fresh! Thanks for letting others know what you enjoyed about the experience. :)
via Viator
Absolutely Wonderful Experience with Go Hike Alaska!
My hike with Go Hike Alaska was first class from start to finish! It was a fairly easy hike in a beautiful area near the Chugach Mountains with gorgeous scenery throughout. The guide, Bryce was fantastic! He was on time for pickup, enthusiastic and very informative throughout the hike. Bryce shared his great knowledge of the plants and wildlife we saw along the way. It was a good workout but Bryce gave us time to admire the many amazing vistas. I highly recommend Go Hike Alaska to anyone who wants to see the best Alaska has to offer!
Response from the operator: Hello and thank you! We're super pleased to hear about your experience with Bryce, your logistic arrangements, and overall experience with us. If you ever come back to Anchorage, let us know and we'll take you out again! Take Care.
via Tripadvisor
Not worth your money
Very overpriced. The hike is really easy, it is basically a walk in the forest. There is not much of a challenge to it. You could easily do it yourself by following the signs or follow a trail on AllTrails. The guide was friendly and it’s nice that transportation is included. But the guide did not add much value, he pointed out one or two plants along the way. Spikes and hiking sticks are provided, but not really needed since it’s a relatively flat trail and not icey at all. Overall, we had high expectations for a guided hike that pricey, but those were not met. We felt like we’d been robbed/scammed.
Response from the operator: Hi Nancy. I tried to call you to discuss this more, but wasn't able to reach you. If you are able to, give me a call at 907-444-9008 and we'll see what we can do to accommodate you. It sounds like you were expecting more of a challenge and perhaps not on a developed trail? We do our best to describe the challenge and trails, but I'll take a look at how we can enhance our tour descriptions to make it more apparent that the areas we visit sometimes are on trail and sometimes off trail, what the terrain and how difficult it is. Let's talk more. We don't want people walking away feeling scammed. Give me a call and we'll try to work something out. Thanks. Matt
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 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
- 5
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 62
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Winter Valley and Forest Hike: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Anchorage.
How much does Winter Valley and Forest Hike cost?
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Prices start at $179 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Anchorage usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Winter Valley and Forest Hike take?
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Plan for about 5 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 Anchorage is not rushed.
Is Winter Valley and Forest Hike worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 62 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 13 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Anchorage, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Winter Valley and Forest Hike?
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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 Winter Valley and Forest Hike suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Winter Valley and Forest Hike?
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Around 5 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 Anchorage 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?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Anchorage and add a light layer if any part of the 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Winter Valley and Forest Hike 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 Anchorage 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 Anchorage?
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Anchorage is the staging point for glacier cruises out of Whittier and Seward, Denali flightseeing, wildlife conservation centre visits, dog sledding and northern lights chases in winter. Long transfer times make itinerary honesty essential. On Outty we rank every Anchorage experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include PRISTINE - Wilderness, Wildlife, Glacier Experience in Anchorage, Anchorage Trolley's Deluxe City Tour, Anchorage Trolley's 1-Hour City 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 Anchorage?
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June to August for glaciers, September to March for aurora. 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 Anchorage?
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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?
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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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