Discover the best hiking in Alaska

Here's the thing about an Alaska cruise: the ship isn't just getting you from point A to point B. It's dropping you off at the doorstep of one of the wildest places on earth. Port towns like Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka and Skagway aren't just pretty stops — they're natural gateways to trails that cut through temperate rainforests, climb to panoramic ridgelines and lead right up to the blue-white faces of ancient glaciers.

That's the magic of hiking in Alaska on a cruise. You wake up, step off the ship and within minutes you can be under a canopy of old-growth spruce or following a boardwalk trail with bald eagles circling overhead. And if logistics aren't really your thing? Princess Cruises Alaska shore excursions handle the transportation, safety briefings and trail access, so you can spend less time figuring out shuttle schedules and more time actually being outside.

Whether you're lacing up for a leisurely forest walk or chasing serious elevation, Alaska's cruise ports have something for every type of hiker.

These are some of our favorite hikes in this stunning state that you can experience during your cruise.

If you want the full Alaska experience in all its untamed, wildlife-packed glory, Denali is it. Home to North America's tallest peak at 20,310 feet, Denali National Park offers terrain that ranges from beginner-friendly valley walks to multi-day treks so remote you'll feel like the only human on earth.

The park's backcountry has no maintained trails, and that's entirely the point. Navigation is part of the adventure here, where animals in Denali National Park — from grizzly bears, wolves, moose and caribou — roam freely across landscapes that look like they were painted by someone who had never heard of restraint. Limited road access keeps the wilderness truly wild, so self-reliance and solid navigation skills are essential before you head in.

If you're looking for a specific trail that delivers the full Denali experience without requiring a backcountry permit or survival skills, the Mount Healy Overlook Trail is the one to do. The trail starts right at the Denali Visitor Center, climbs 1,726 feet over roughly 4.9 miles round-trip and takes most hikers about 3.5 to 4 hours. The payoff at the top is a full 360-degree panorama of the park — the Nenana River snaking through the valley below, the Alaska Range stacked to the horizon and, on a clear day, Denali itself rising above everything. 

For travelers wanting easy access to the park without sacrificing comfort, Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge® makes an ideal home base. Located just one mile from the entrance to Denali National Park, the lodge offers convenient access to hiking trails, wildlife excursions and guided park tours, all while surrounding guests with sweeping views of the Nenana River and Alaska wilderness.

Ketchikan is one of those ports where you walk off the ship and immediately feel like you’ve entered a different world. Tucked along the edge of Alaska’s temperate rainforest, the town delivers some of the best things to do in Ketchikan, for travelers who want to experience the state beyond the cruise dock. The trails here reflect exactly that — lush, moody and full of life.

The Rainbird Trail is a standout, winding about three miles round-trip through a cathedral of ancient spruce and hemlock. The Deer Mountain Trail cranks up the drama significantly, ascending through switchbacks to views of Ketchikan Lake and the surrounding islands that are, frankly, hard to believe you’re only a short ride from your cruise ship. It’s one of the reasons cruises to Ketchikan are such a favorite for travelers looking to combine wilderness, wildlife and culture in a single port stop.

The surrounding forest is home to black bears and bald eagles, and the area’s rich Tlingit and Haida cultural heritage shows up in totem poles and historical sites scattered throughout the trails.

The Kenai Peninsula is a hiker's buffet: tidal flats, alpine meadows, glacier-fed valleys and ice fields, all on one relatively accessible stretch of land. The Exit Glacier Guided Hike is a great entry point, putting you up close with one of the park's most dramatic features. Plus you get to go with an experienced guide who will teach you all about the science behind glaciers and the forest you’re hiking through. 

For travelers wanting to stay close to the action, Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge® offers direct access to many of the peninsula’s top outdoor experiences. Perched above the Kenai River, the lodge makes an ideal basecamp for exploring Kenai Fjords National Park, hiking Exit Glacier, wildlife cruises and guided excursions across Alaska’s adventure playground.

The Chugach Mountains frame Anchorage like a dramatic backdrop, and they deliver trails for every fitness level — from easy day hikes through glacial valleys to ridge ascents that will have your legs reminding you they exist for days afterward.

Flattop Mountain is the crowd favorite for good reason: the 3,510-foot summit offers a full 360-degree panorama of Cook Inlet and the surrounding peaks, and the Glen Alps Trailhead is only about 30 minutes from downtown Anchorage. It's an ideal option for visitors who want serious Alaska mountain scenery without needing a helicopter to get there. The wildflower meadows and rocky ridgelines throughout the range round out a region that genuinely punches above its weight.

Don’t let the word “easy” fool you here. The trails at Sitka National Historical Park deliver an experience that’s as culturally rich as it is beautiful. Well-marked paths wind past towering Sitka spruce, ferns and totem poles that tell centuries-old stories of Tlingit heritage, all while following the peaceful banks of the Indian River.

This is the kind of place where you slow down, look closer and realize you’re surrounded by something genuinely special. It’s also one of the reasons cruises to Sitka are so memorable — the destination blends Alaska’s wild landscapes with deep cultural history in a way few ports can match.

For a more immersive experience, the Tongass Rainforest Hike takes you deeper into the world’s largest temperate rainforest, where old-growth trees, misty forest paths and cascading waterfalls create a landscape that feels almost untouched. The kind of quiet you’ll find out there is hard to come by anywhere else.

Alaska's remote interior tundra is one of the largest wilderness areas on earth, and the terrain out here is unlike anything you'll find on a marked trail. The landscape is yielding and uneven, the views are vast and unhurried, and the silence — real silence, the kind with no road noise underneath it — is something you have to experience to believe.

For those ready to step into that world, the Denali Wilderness Hike from Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge is the ideal entry point. Set in Denali State Park, the hike puts you on open tundra terrain with a guide who knows the landscape — so you get the raw, immersive feeling of Alaska's interior without having to navigate it alone. It's a genuine wilderness experience, just with the logistics handled.

For experienced adventurers who want to push further, the surrounding backcountry rewards those with the skills and gear to do it right. But the lodge makes an excellent home base either way — and a much better starting point than a trailhead sign.

Few things hit quite like rounding a bend on a glacial trail and suddenly facing a wall of ancient blue ice. Near Juneau, the Mendenhall Glacier Explorer shore excursion delivers exactly that, offering one of the most accessible ways to experience Alaska’s famous blue ice landscapes up close. It’s also one of the standout experiences for travelers on cruises to Juneau, combining glacier views, rainforest hiking and local wildlife in a single unforgettable outing.

The West Glacier Trail runs about 6.3 miles with roughly 1,440 feet of elevation gain through dense Tongass rainforest, rewarding those who put in the work with panoramic views of the glacier and Mendenhall Lake spread out below. Along the way, visitors can explore scenic forest trails, spot waterfalls like Nugget Falls and learn more about the glacier’s constantly changing landscape from guides and interpretive displays throughout the recreation area.

Juneau might be Alaska's capital, but its real currency is access to incredible trails. The Perseverance Trail climbs through a historic mining valley past the ruins of old gold rush infrastructure, while the Mount Roberts Trail rewards hikers with sweeping views of the Gastineau Channel and the city far below.

Best of all, most of Juneau's trailheads are within walking distance or a short ride from the cruise terminal — meaning you can go from ship to wilderness and back with time to spare. If you'd rather skip the climb and start at the top, the Goldbelt Tram On Your Own excursion lifts you 1,800 feet up Mount Roberts in about five minutes, dropping you straight onto the alpine trail network with panoramic views of the channel below. Shore excursions like this one are designed specifically with port timing in mind, taking the guesswork out of the day entirely.

Gear up for Alaska's unpredictable weather and climate

Alaska's weather operates on its own schedule, and it doesn't care about your plans. Clear mornings can flip to driving rain within a few hours, and temperatures at elevation can drop sharply even in July. A solid layering system is non-negotiable: waterproof shell, insulating mid-layer and moisture-wicking base layer. 

Add waterproof boots, trekking poles and a map or GPS device and you're covering the basics. Check out what to pack for an Alaska cruise before you go — it's worth the read.

Stay safe around Alaska's wildlife

Alaska's trails are shared, and not just with other hikers. Bears and moose are common throughout the trail systems, and the protocol is simple: make noise, carry bear spray and know how to deploy it before you need it. Proper food storage using bear canisters or approved hanging methods is required in most park and wilderness zones.

On the upside, Alaska's wildlife is also the reason people come back again and again. Bald eagles, sea otters, mountain goats, humpback whales from coastal trails — if you're patient and paying attention, the sightings are genuinely spectacular.

Understand Alaska's terrain and trail conditions

The terrain varies wildly depending on where you're hiking. One trail might be a groomed boardwalk; the next might involve root-covered rainforest paths, loose scree and river crossings. Tundra terrain specifically can be soft and unpredictable underfoot, even on flat ground. Always check current conditions with the National Park Service or local ranger stations before you head out. Conditions can change quickly and what was clear last week might be flooded today.

Check permits and park regulations before you go

Many of Alaska's backcountry zones require advance permits for overnight camping or group access, and food storage regulations vary by area. Bear canisters are mandatory in Denali and a number of other parks. Day hikers on established trails typically don't need permits, but it's worth checking requirements through the National Park Service or Alaska State Parks well before your cruise departure — not the morning you want to go.

The hiking season runs May through September, with July and August delivering the most stable conditions and, thanks to the midnight sun, nearly unlimited daylight. Some summer days in Southeast Alaska push close to 18 hours of usable light, which means you have absolutely no excuse for cutting your hike short.

Cruise port times vary by ship and itinerary, so plan hikes you can complete well within your time ashore. Princess Cruises shore excursions are built specifically around port schedules and include transportation, naturalist guides and return logistics — taking the guesswork out entirely. Independent hikers should research trailheads and local shuttle options in advance and always build in a buffer.

Princess Cruises offers a curated selection of Alaska shore excursions built around every type of adventurer — from easy forest boardwalks to glacier treks and guided backcountry hikes. Browse options by port and find the right trail for your Alaska cruise.