Hiking at Grewingk Glacier in Kachemak Bay State Park in Homer

I’ve been to lots of glaciers, including hiking to quite a few, and I have to say that I love the journey and experience of the Grewingk Glacier in Homer more than most. Located within Kachemack Bay State Park, Grewingk Glacier is an experience that combines a boat trip, hiking, relaxing and even a hand tram over a river. I think it’s a really fun way to experience a different side of Homer and a great way to spend a day outdoors in the Alaska fresh air.

We’ve got the full scoop on how to get to Grewingk Glacier, how to plan for the hiking side of things, and how to be safe in bear country and while dangling over rivers. It’s a great experience and if you have any additional questions, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a great Alaska adventure.

Highlights of Grewingk Glacier Hiking

Kachemak Bay State Park isn’t a place you can drive to, so you will need to get there via water taxi. There are several water taxi services from the Homer Spit, and most offer drop off at the beach to hike to the Grewingk Glacier. There are two routes to the glacier, so be sure that you’re booking a water taxi that starts from the beach on Kachemak Bay vs starting in Halibut Cove. The hike from Halibut Cove up over the peninsula to the glacial lake is intense. Most water taxis, including Mako’s Water Taxi, will drop you at the beach near the trial head, then you’ll do a one-way hike to the glacier and back down to Halibut Cove where you’ll be picked up.

The hike to Grewingk Glacier is actually a really easy one when you start from the beach. You’ll head through the beautiful, mossy woods of Kachemak Bay State Park on a steady but mellow incline to the glacial lake. Between the beach and the lake though, there is a wonderful sput trail to the Grewingk River Hand Tram. It’s just one mile and is really cool. Do the hand tram spur trail. This short extension is really pretty and brings you to a small gondola cart on cables across the galcier river. You have to pull yourself across and back, so it’s a bit of a workout, but it’s really fun and unique. Once you’ve done the hand tram, hike back to the main trail and continue your route to the Grewingk Glacier Lake.

You’ll approach the lake and see exhibits about landslides and glaciation, and then you get the view of the Grewingk Glacier. It calves off into the lake instead of the sea, so the icebergs just float slowly with the flow towards the river. It’s kind of similar to when you’re kayaking at Valdez Glacier or when you do the boat tour to Portage Glacier. You may not see a big calving event, but you still get the beautiful ice on the water.

Book Mako’s Water Taxi to Grewingk Glacier here or Coldwater Alaska’s Hiking Boat here!

Tips for Hiking to Grewingk Glacier

If you’re not a big hiker, this may sound overwhelming, but the total length of the Grewingk Glacier trail from the beach -> hand tram -> back to the trail -> to the lake -> saddle trail to Halibut Cove is 11.2 miles in total. Even though that’s a big distance, so much of it is flat and truly very easy as you walk through the woods and to the tram and lake. The only ascent and decent that you feel is the area from Grewingk Lake up the Saddle Trail and then down to Halibut Cove where you’ll be picked up.

The Saddle Trail in Kachemak Bay State Park is very well maintained, but it’s a slow go if you’re not in great shape. The descent from the top of the Saddle Trail to the cove is a series of switchbacks, so take your time and be sure of your footing. In general, most hikers take 4-5 hours to do the complete trail and spend time at the Grewingk Glacier lake. Your water taxi will give you clear recommendations for your timing based on when you’ve schedule your drop off and pickup. BE ON TIME!

Being Prepared for the Grewingk Glacier Trail

Even though this is not the most difficult hike you’ll find on the Kenai Peninsula, due to the length of the hike and the changing weather, I would recommend waterproof hiking boots that are nice and comfortable. It’s a big distance you’ll cover and because some of the Saddle Trail goes through a muskeg area (can be squishy) you’ll want to keep your socks dry. Also, bring a rain jacket just in case. I don’t recommend rain pants for hiking the Grewingk Glacier trail because it’s a longer hike and you’ll be very hot. Much of the hike is sheltered in the woods, so you’ll be able to stay out of the rain for the most part. It’s a better umbrella hike than a rain gear hike.

If you’re planning on doing the short spur trail over to the Grewingk River hand tram, be sure that you have a pair of gloves for pulling the cables to move you across the river. It’s hard on your hands and even the instruction sign at the hand tram says to wear gloves. Bring plenty of snacks and water on your Grewingk Glacier hike. There are no services and you’ll be out here for at least four hours, so be sure you don’t get too hungry. Bring enough water for each person on your hike. The shoreline at the Grewingk Glacier lake is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy lunch!

Two more things to bring with you on this hike: a camera and bear spray. The icebergs are really cool and make for fascinating photographs, so a camera with a good lens (up to 400mm is appropriate) is a great thing to bring to the Grewingk Glacier. And yes, bear spray is also very important. Kachemak Bay State Park has a very healthy bear population (black and brown) and they do frequent the Grewingk Valley, so it’s best to bring bear spray and know how to use it.

Parking for Water Taxis to Kachemak Bay State Park

Getting to Kachemak Bay State Park and the Grewingk Glacier means taking a water taxi (I like Mako’s Water Taxi) from the Homer Spit. It’s about a half hour boat ride across the bay and is a great opportunity for seeing wildlife. We saw orcas on our crossing! There are lots of parking areas on the Homer Spit, so you shouldn’t have a difficult time finding a spot. Pay attention to where you park though as there are different parking regulations in different areas. The lots by where most of the water taxis and fishing charters leave from, including Mako’s Water Taxi, have parking meter machines that accept credit cards, so be sure that you’ve paid for the day. The rate is daily, so you won’t have to worry about time. The parking cost on the Homer Spit is usually $10 for the day.