Best Hikes for Your Alaska Elopement
One of the perks to eloping in Alaska is that your special day can easily turn into a grand adventure. You can spend your day hiking mountain ridge lines, overlooking a majestic glacier, by a waterfall or wandering the wild coastline. However you’d like to experience your wedding day, Alaska has a whole lot to offer.
Before you choose a trail for your Alaskan elopement, think about what kind of day you really want to have & how much hiking you’re up for. Some trails are quick in and out on fairly level ground, while others demand a full on day long adventure and a serious amount of leg work. The weather, what the seasons are like, getting around, and most importantly your vision for how you want the day to go – all these things should play a part in picking the perfect trail.
Here are some of my favorite hiking trails in Alaska for couples who are looking to turn their use their own two feet to access stunning views.
Best Glacier Hikes for an Alaska Elopement
Harding Ice Field Trail
Located in Kenai Fjords National Park just outside Seward, the Harding Icefield Trail is one of the most spectacular—and challenging—hikes you can choose for an Alaska elopement. The trail begins near Exit Glacier before climbing through forest, wildflower-filled meadows, and increasingly dramatic alpine terrain.
As you gain elevation, views open up over Exit Glacier and the surrounding mountains, but the real reward comes near the top. Here, the landscape gives way to the massive Harding Icefield, an expanse of snow and ice stretching toward the horizon with glaciers spilling from it into the valleys below.
At roughly 8 miles roundtrip with around 3,000 feet of elevation gain, this isn’t a casual wedding-day stroll. It’s best for couples who are experienced hikers and genuinely want to spend a significant part of their elopement day on the trail. You also don’t necessarily have to hike all the way to the end—the increasingly impressive viewpoints along the route give you plenty of opportunities to stop, exchange vows, take photos, or simply soak everything in.
For adventurous couples willing to work for the view, Harding Icefield offers the kind of scenery that’s hard to comprehend until you’re standing there. Pair it with the mountains, coastline, and other adventures around Seward, and it can become one part of an incredible multi-day Alaska elopement experience.
This could also be a good overnight backpacking elopement locations. Imagine saying your vows at sunrise with no one else around.
Grewingk Glacier Lake Trail
Located across Kachemak Bay from Homer, Grewingk Glacier Lake Trail offers one of the most uniquely Alaskan elopement experiences imaginable. The adventure begins with a water taxi ride across the bay before arriving at the trailhead surrounded by towering mountains and rugged coastline.
The hike itself winds through quiet forest before opening up to an incredible glacier lake filled with floating ice and dramatic views of Grewingk Glacier in the distance. The combination of glacier views, blue water, and the remote feeling of Kachemak Bay makes this an incredible option for couples wanting a peaceful but adventurous elopement experience.
One of the best parts about this hike is how immersive the entire experience feels. Between the boat ride, suspension bridge crossings, and glacier views, the day feels like far more than just a hike — it feels like a true Alaska adventure.
Portage Pass
Located across the tunnel in Whittier, Portage Pass Trail packs an incredible amount of Alaska scenery into a relatively short hike. The trail climbs quickly from the trailhead before reaching the pass, where you’ll find sweeping views of Portage Glacier, Portage Lake, surrounding mountains, and the waters of Passage Canal behind you.
At around 4 miles roundtrip to the lake and back, the hike is considerably more approachable than some of Alaska’s full-day mountain adventures, although the initial climb to the pass is steep. Couples can stop near the top for panoramic mountain and glacier views or continue down toward Portage Lake for an entirely different perspective of the glacier.
Portage Pass is an especially great elopement hike for couples who want their wedding day to include a real adventure without spending eight or ten hours on the trail. You get mountains, alpine terrain, glacier views, and water all within one relatively compact area—and because Whittier is surrounded by mountains and notoriously moody weather, fog, clouds, and rain can make the landscape feel just as incredible as a perfectly clear day.
For couples who want to make more of the experience, Portage Pass can also be paired with exploring Whittier, a boat adventure in Prince William Sound, or other stops along the Turnagain Arm (Hope would be an amazing stop for dinner) for a full-day Alaska elopement.
Best Coastal Hikes for an Alaska Elopement
Tonsina Point Trail
Located near Seward, Tonsina Point Trail combines coastal rainforest, black sand beaches, rugged shoreline, and mountain views into one incredibly scenic and approachable hike. The trail winds through dense forest before opening up to dramatic coastal views overlooking Resurrection Bay.
This trail is perfect for couples wanting an Alaska elopement that feels adventurous while still remaining relatively accessible. Moody coastal weather, driftwood-covered beaches, and the possibility of spotting wildlife along the shoreline all add to the atmosphere and experience of this location.
Tonsina Point is especially beautiful for couples drawn to slower paced and intentional elopement days focused on exploring, taking in the scenery, and fully experiencing Alaska together.
Best Mountain View Hikes for an Alaska Elopement
Thompson Pass
Mount Alice
Reed Lakes
Located in Hatcher Pass, Reed Lakes is the perfect hike for any adventurous couple planning an Alaska elopement. The main attraction is the two bright blue alpine lakes, but the wide open valleys and granite peaks along the way make the entire hike an incredible place to explore Alaska. It’s best used from end of June to mid September, unless you’re okay with a hike through the snow in the off season (which will need extra preparation & more than likely snow shoes).
Getting to the trailhead, you’ll drive on Archangel Road, which is infamous for the potholes and rough terrain – while you won’t necessarily need a 4×4 vehicle, you will need to drive carefully! A few miles down the road, you’ll cross a bridge and arrive at the trailhead.
The Reed Lakes hike is 8.7 miles long, with an elevation gain of 2,250 feet – so if you set out to make the trek on your elopement day, make sure you have experience hiking and that you bring all the essentials – extra food, water, and layers in case it gets cold. The first two miles will fool you – it’s an easy, nearly flat walk on an old logging road. But then, the switchbacks begin and you’ll make a steep climb uphill. You’ll have to cross some boulders on the river, then it’s just a short uphill trek to lower Reed Lake, and a little further is upper Reed Lake. With two amazing lakes and even a waterfall in between, you have a lot to choose from for your ceremony backdrop!
If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can even make it an overnight backpacking trip and set up camp. Lower Reed Lake has more to offer for campsites, but make sure to brush up on bear safety and keep your food in a bear-safe container!
Twin Peaks
The Twin Peaks trail starts at Eklutna Lake. It climbs a steep 4,524 feet in elevation gain over 8.3 miles roundtrip, and offers views of the lake the entire way, as well as a look at the surrounding peaks and glaciers.
The road is in good condition so the trailhead is easily accessible. There is a $5 parking fee (unless you have an Alaska State Parks pass), so be sure to plan ahead and buy a pass! The first few miles of the trail switch back through the woods, until you reach the treeline. There, you’ll be greeted with a bench (perfect for resting tired legs) and an incredible view of Eklutna Lake. You can stop here, have your ceremony above the lake and head down afterwards. But, if you continue on, you’ll see the Twin Peaks and reach a second bench.
From there, the trail gets narrower, and is often muddy – but if you trek through the blueberry bushes, you’ll reach the ridge and be rewarded with incredible views or Eklutna Glacier, Eklutna Lake, and the dense forest below.
The best time for your Alaska elopement if you choose to hike Twin Peaks is May through October. Eloping in late fall will give you the opportunity to see the leaves change color!
Best Overnight Hikes for an Alaska Backpacking Elopement
Ready for Your Alaska Elopement?
When you elope in Alaska, you’re going to need a photographer who can join you on whatever adventure you choose! Being an elopement photographer is about more than taking photos on your wedding day. I literally climb mountains with and for my couples, and am ready to be your guide through the Alaskan wilderness, and to show you how to pack a wedding dress up a hike or to strap a bouquet to your backpack! If you’re an adventurous couple who wants to hike the Alaskan terrain on your wedding day, contact me!
Choosing the Right Alaska Elopement Hike
The best Alaska elopement hike is not necessarily the hardest or most remote trail — it’s the location that feels the most true to you and your relationship.
Some couples dream of standing beside glaciers after a short scenic hike, while others want to spend the entire day climbing mountains or exploring remote wilderness. Whether you want dramatic coastal views, alpine lakes, glaciers, or rugged mountain peaks, Alaska offers an incredible variety of landscapes and experiences for adventurous couples.
No matter what kind of adventure you envision, choosing a location that fits your experience level, priorities, and overall vision for the day will create a far more meaningful experience than simply choosing the most popular trail.
Your wedding day should feel like an experience you genuinely enjoy together — not just a photoshoot in a beautiful place.
Not sure how to prepare for your hiking elopement?
Inspiration For Your Elopement Adventure:
Some of the Celebrations we’ve planned & documented over the years
HI, I’M ARIEL –
Lead Photographer. Experience Designer. Grounded. Intentional. Adventurous.
For over 15 years, I’ve documented more than 250 love stories. I specialize in crafting elopement experiences for couples who crave something intentional, adventurous, and deeply personal. If you’re ready to step away from tradition and into something unforgettable, you’re in the right place.