Family-Friendly Glacier Views at Byron Glacier Trail End, Girdwood
Byron Glacier Trail End in Girdwood is a remarkable hiking destination that offers an easy, family-friendly 2 km walk with minimal elevation gain. The trail culminates in stunning glacier and valley views that provide a memorable experience for visitors of all ages.
This trail is perfect for those interested in witnessing the majestic glacier formations firsthand, including impressive ice arches and water channels. The path is accessible year-round with different seasonal highlights, making it an educational and awe-inspiring outing that raises awareness about climate change and the natural history of glaciers. For those seeking a manageable hike with rewarding sights, Byron Glacier Trail End is a top choice in the Girdwood area.
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Tommy Liu
6 months agoEasy Family level 2 KM No elevation At the end you get to see the glacier and the valley view Very worth it
joe host
1 year agoThis review is truly a review! (...of the past. hah) It was 20 years ago the last time visiting this glacier, and those photos shared here, now. (because I need to scan these photos taken with film at that time, yes, from a film camera.) It took more than 30 minutes walk to reach the edge of the ice field. It was fall time in October. Noticing the receding of the glacier already, feeling sad for us humans not realizing climate change was already serious two decades ago... Still, you could see a water channel with an ice tunnel in my photos; that looks much more ice was there than recent years (as seen in photos shared recently by others). By now, 2024, passing the tipping point already, if you're taking more than an hour to reach the ice wall, that means we are heading towards the the end of glacier watching in summer months, or they are disappearing altogether sooner or later. The glacier itself is a history book. Choosing the low season to visit could avoid the crowd of summer vacations, and avoid the notorious Alaskan bugs I thought I couldn't handle wearing a protective headgear/ netting hat. hah This is a place you wouldn't regret going to see, whichever season you go, as it's very educational to your kids and a nice walk along the now green trails in many months of the year. Enjoy whatever you could see before they're gone. Like many glaciers, this Byron is not to be missed.
Andrei K
1 year agoGreat hike to the glacier that has arches. Note that first small glacier is not it. There’s bigger glacier a bit farther up behind a big pile of boulders. The walk to that bigger one is somewhat more difficult but still manageable and the arches are rewarding!! It’ll take about 45 min each way to get to farther glacier.
Mohit Gupta
8 months agoIt was not planned for my trip. I went to Portage Glacier and we were late for the cruise trip. Ranger over there recommended Byron Glacier and I am glad she did. It was a little hoke alongside the creek and unlike the exit glacier, you could step on it. Would recommend small spikes on the shoes so that you don't slip.
Eric Van Kirk
2 years agoSuper easy trail to get to the end of the trail and with beautiful scenery the entire walk! Now once you get to the end of the trail, it can definitely get more difficult and technical if you want to get up closer to a glacier! Would I do this trail again? Maybe. But I absolutely do NOT regret it!