Alaska is globally known for providing some of the most astonishing hiking experiences. The land is full of colossal glaciers, vast lakes and forests, diverse wildlife, and Denali National Park which is home to the tallest mountain in North America. All of these factors combine to immerse hikers in some of the most breathtaking landscapes possible on Earth.
Such an intense environment also comes with its challenges, as visitors seeking the full Alaskan experience can be threatened by extreme weather, avalanches, hostile bear encounters, and various unforeseen forms of icy peril. Here are some of the most dangerous hikes in Alaska, some of which may come as a surprise since trail difficulty turns out to be an unreliable indicator of the risk level.
10 Rover's Run, Far North Bicentennial Park
Upon the sight of Rover's Run, seasoned and novice hikers alike would maybe be confused about why this trail would make any list of Alaska's most dangerous hikes.
The terrain is by no means rugged or threatening and traversing this trail requires almost no experience. There are no fatal drop-offs or bouts of extreme weather.
The threat here is the local brown bear population which congregates in the area. This trail has a long history of bear mauling incidents and in recent years development resolutions have attempted to divert trails away from certain areas and biologists have urged visitors to stay away.
An occasional aggressive moose is also not unheard of here.
9 Mount Denali, Denali National Park
Mount Denali is one of the most remote mountain peaks in the world and is the tallest in North America at a height of 20,310 feet above sea level.
This outdoorsman endeavor requires a high level of training and bravery, as a journey to the summit faces a barrage of ice and wind, crossing glaciers, bear encounters, all the usual complications that come with higher altitudes, and the ever-present threat of avalanches.
The current death toll of hikers at Mt. Denali has now far surpassed 100 and continues to increase.
8 Byron Glacier, Portage Valley
Byron Glacier has become an area to which hikers flock with their cell phones ready to take photos of its ice caves found along the lower edges of the glacier.
The trails here are of no significant threat, but the alluring photo-op within these "caves" is where the danger lies because they are quite unstable and can collapse at any time with no warning.
Since the increased popularity of the site, there has been one death and multiple injuries.
Further warning should be given for deathly avalanche risk in the wintertime, as they could fall from either or both sides of the valley.
7 Chinitna Bay, Lake Clark National Park
The perpetual threat of bear encounters in Alaska is something that should not be understated, especially since some hikers become a little too excited about a wondrous wildlife encounter and might even decide to move closer after a sighting.
Chinitna Bay offers a truly incredible backpacking experience in the summer and is also known for its massive population of grizzly bears.
This is especially true from the summer to fall months when they are feasting on the salmon, and park services have reported as many as 20 grizzlies in one place at Chinitna Bay.
6 Traversing Frozen Portage Lake
While this may not technically be considered a hike, it is an outing worthy of a warning due to its simultaneously increasing hazards and popularity.
Walking, biking, or even sometimes ice skating is a uniquely memorable activity for Portage Lake when its waters are frozen solid. Climate change has led to an observable rise in temperatures at the lake, making the structural soundness of the ice significantly questionable.
Glaciers also tend to split apart here and these fragmented masses destabilize surrounding ice.
5 Crow Pass, Anchorage
Crow Pass is a stunningly beautiful area like much of Alaska, but a successful trip through it can be a daunting task.
Hikers are advised to turn away early in the trail if met with many obstacles. Rivers are sometimes too high and crossing should not be attempted after a certain point, and this goes hand-in-hand with passages of waist-deep snow.
Bear spray and other wildlife-related precautions are necessary, and perhaps above all, this is area is considered an extreme avalanche threat.
4 Flattop Mountain, Chugach State Park
Trails at Flattop Mountain are quite popular, especially during the gorgeous summer months. However, visitors in the winter should be very wary of the high risk of avalanches in this area which already has a concerning toll of deaths and injuries.
Stories such as the one in which a hiker was rescued by the miraculous spotting of their exposed legs from beneath the snow here should serve as a reminder to take avalanche threats seriously.
3 Mendenhall Glacier Trail, Tongass National Forest
The Mendenhall Glacier trail offers some of the most otherworldly terrain featuring colossal expanses of glacier formations along with the increasingly popular "ice caves".
Inexperienced hikers should not attempt this venture on their own. The path is arduous all around, and some areas that are not well-marked have fatally steep cliffs and require climbing equipment.
One could easily get lost or abruptly fall to their death and, as always, watch for bears.
2 Turnagain Pass
Turnagain Pass is a sought-after destination for dedicated wilderness lovers. It possesses all the best of the Alaskan countryside full of glaciers and wildflowers and also provides great spaces for skiing or snowmobiles.
At the same time, it can be quite deadly.
The open expansiveness of the pass is not difficult to find oneself lost in, and the abrupt weather changes in the area threaten hikers with sudden bouts of relentless white-out snowfall, not to mention steep drop-offs and avalanches.
1 Harding Icefield Trail, Kenai Fjords National Park
The Harding Icefield trail is a roundtrip journey that is less than 10 miles and features stopping points with some of the most amazing vistas of Alaska.
However, even during the summer months, it is considered a very technical mountaineering journey meant only for experienced hikers as it climbs up to 1,000-foot views of the largest icefield in the US.
The threat here is the elements. Intense high-altitude sunlight, ominous drop-offs, abrupt storms and harsh winds, and of course avalanches pose a very serious risk to hikers.