Planning a trip to Homer, Alaska, and looking for a nice easy hike, you will likely stumble upon a recommendation to hike to Grewingk Glacier Lake in Kachemak Bay State Park. Despite its remoteness and , this is by far the most popular hike in Homer, loved by locals and visitors alike.
But what to expect, how to get there, and is it worth it if your time in Homer is limited?
In this guide, I share my experience hiking to Grewing Glacier Lake, photos of the trail, as well as practical information and essential tips. This will give you a better idea of what you can expect and help you decide if you should visit. Find out!
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Grewingk Glacier Lake Hike – Overview:
How to Get to Grewingk Glacier Lake
Grewingk Glacier Lake is located inside the Kachemak Bay State Park, across the water from Homer. The ride across Kachemak Bay takes about 30-45 minutes and offers incredible views of the surrounding mountains and waters.
Good to know: The Grewingk Glacier Lake hike can be done as an out-and-back or a circular hike – see the map and info below. Most people take a water taxi to Glacier Spit Trailhead and return via the Saddle Trail to Halibut Cove, from where they take a water taxi back to Homer.
Important: Since you can only get to the trailheads by boat, you have to arrange a water taxi. It’s best to book in advance, especially during the busy summer months. Don’t let you put this off, though. Just see it as another excursion that requires some advance planning. Plus, you can enjoy stunning scenery and may even get lucky to spot marine wildlife along the way.
TIP: You can look for a water taxi online or simply book transfers via Viator. You can choose to do this hike in the morning (usually from 8 AM to 2 PM) or in the afternoon (12.15 PM to 6 PM). In the morning, they normally drop you off at Glacier Spit Trailhead and pick you up at Saddle Trailhead. Whereas in the afternoon, you usually start and end at Saddle Trailhead. However, this might change even on the day itself, depending on the weather and sea conditions, so stay flexible.
Our experience: We visited Grewingk Glacier Lake in the second half of September. Many businesses in Homer had already stopped for the season, but Mako’s Water Taxi was still doing transfers. The plan was to start at Glacier Spit and end at Saddle Trail, but the captain said they couldn’t dock at Glacier Spit due to high waves. So we hiked from Saddle Trailhead and back the same way.
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Glacier Lake Trail Overview & Map
The Grewingk Glacier Lake hike is an easy-moderate hike. The distance and difficulty depend on where you start and end, and whether you take a tram detour.
Here are two most popular options (indicated distances and hiking times are for the entire hike):
#1 Saddle Trail to Grewingk Glacier Lake and back the same way:
- Distance: 3 miles.
- Time: 1.5-2 hours.
- Elevation: 350 ft.
- Difficulty: Easy-moderate.
This is the shortest/fastest way to reach the Grewingk Glacier Lake (the green line on our map below). It starts with a steep ascent from the beach – first via a wooden staircase and then a mud trail with lots of switchbacks. Once you reach the top, the rest of the trail is practically flat.
At a relaxed pace with lots of photo stops, it takes 45-60 minutes to get to the lake and about 40-50 minutes to get back.
#2 Glacier Spit Trailhead – Grewingk Glacier Lake – Saddle Trail:
- Distance: 4.8 miles.
- Time: 2-3 hours.
- Elevation: 200 ft.
- Difficulty: Easy.
This is the most popular route (the red line on the map above). It starts at the Glacier Spit Trailhead, goes to Grewingk Glacier Lake, and down to Halibut Cove via the Saddle Trail.
In addition, you can take a detour to Grewingk Tram (the dotted red line). This will add about 1 hour and 2 miles to your hike (1 mile there and back).
This is a hand-operated ‘tram’ where you can pull yourself across the Glacier River. It sounds more exciting than it actually is (see this video) but could be a nice addition to the experience, especially if you are hiking with kids or have the whole day. Otherwise, depending on the water taxi drop-off/pick-up times, you may feel too rushed or not have much time to enjoy the scenery at the lake.
Also, you may want to check if the tram is actually operational. Apparently, it’s often down, and then it’s really not worth taking a detour and you better spend more time at the lake.
Which Trail is Best?
This really depends on who you ask. We visited Homer on an invitation by the Homer Chamber of Commerce and met many locals. Everyone we talked to recommended the Grewingk Glacier Lake hike as a must-do in Homer, but there was no consensus as to which way to go.
Some people swore by the Saddle Trail route as the most scenic option, while others preferred the longer route starting at Glacier Spit and ending with Saddle Trail. Yet others recommended starting with the Saddle Trail and ending at Glacier Spit…
Our experience: As already mentioned, we planned to do the most popular route (#2), but due to the sea conditions, ended up doing the shortest hike (#1). The captain decided that it was safer to drop us off and pick us up at Halibut Cove, so we did the Saddle Trail both ways.
Most locals agreed that it’s the most scenic part of the trail, and indeed, the scenery we could enjoy while climbing the hill was great. I wouldn’t have wanted to miss the Saddle Trail, but you don’t have to do it both ways either.
TIP: If weather conditions allow, I recommend going with the ‘classic’ trail (#2), starting from Glacier Spit and ending at Saddle – that way, you see everything. But if you can’t choose and the water taxi can’t dock at any of these points, just make the best of the experience no matter which way you have to do this hike. You will see Grewingk Glacier and Lake either way.
What to Expect
No matter which trail you take, the Grewingk Glacier Lake Trail is a relatively easy, flat, and well-indicated hike that is suitable for most hikers, including families with young children. However, there is less elevation gain if you start at Glacier Spit Trailhead. The Saddle Trailhead has a short but steep hill with many switchbacks.
This hike offers a surprising variety of scenery, including dense rainforest, spruce and birch forests, and – from the Saddle Trail – also spectacular views of Halibut Cove and surrounding mountains. The main highlight is the glacier-fed Grewingk Glacier Lake. It’s dotted with floating icebergs calving from the towering Grewingk Glacier that you can see in the distance.
Wildlife sightings, such as eagles, moose, or even bears, are also possible. However, the trail can get quite busy and many locals hike with their dogs, so bear encounters are not likely. Still, you need to travel prepared – more info about it below.
TIP: The glacier lake is really scenic and bigger than it looks at first sight. So be sure to plan plenty of extra time to explore the lakeshore and soak up the views. It’s also a perfect place for a picnic. Locals often come here for the whole day, and some even bring packrafts and inflatable SUP boards and go paddling on the lake.
Is It Worth It?
The remoteness of the Grewingk Glacier Lake hike can deter some people from considering it. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth the effort, here are my thoughts:
If your time in Homer is very limited and you can only fit in one excursion, I would opt for a full-day tour on Kachemak Bay instead (or a bear viewing trip if not done yet!). The Glacier Lake hike requires about half a day, making it hard to combine with other major activities on the same day.
However, if you have at least 1.5 days in Homer and are looking for a memorable outdoor adventure, the Grewingk Glacier Lake hike is absolutely worth it. It’s the best hike in Homer, and the scenery is spectacular. That said, the landscapes are stunning all over Alaska, so the scenery is not the main reason to do this hike.
The whole experience is just so quintessentially Alaskan. From taking a water taxi along the scenic coastline and landing on a remote beach to hiking in untouched wilderness and picnicking along the shores of a glacier lake, every step gives a taste of real Alaska.
I spent two weeks in Alaska and ticked off so many ‘bucket list’ activities: bear viewing at Lake Clark, an incredible helicopter tour at Knik Glacier, a jaw-dropping glacier excursion at Kenai Fjords National Park, and Mt Denali flight with a glacier landing, to name a few… Yet the Grewingk Glacier Lake hike in Homer remains one of my favorite adventures. Somehow, to me, it captures the essence of Alaska. No words, pictures, or videos do it justice – it’s just something you have to experience yourself.
So yes, I think this hike is totally worth it, and I would do it again. Plus, as far as hikes go, it’s so easy and incredibly rewarding!
TIP: If you decide to do this hike, don’t miss our essential tips below!
READ ALSO: Alaska Itinerary for 2 Weeks
Practical Tips
To make the most of your Grewingk Glacier Lake hike, keep these things in mind:
- Water Taxi: Make sure to confirm your pick-up time and location with your water taxi operator before heading out. To be on the safe side, give yourself 1 hour to get from the lake to the beach via the Saddle Trail so that you don’t miss the boat back to Homer.
- Book in advance: You can book a water taxi on Viator or simply search online. While same-day bookings might be possible, I wouldn’t count on it. The harbor is large and can feel overwhelming. Plus, during high season, most services in Homer are fully booked, and in the off-season, there are fewer options. Furthermore, Even if you manage to find a water taxi on the day, you could end up waiting several hours for the next departure.
- Cell Service: You can’t rely on cell service in Kachemak Bay State Park. I hiked with locals and their phones worked on the beach, but none of us had cell service during the hike. If you want to use any hiking apps here, make sure to download the trail info before you leave Homer.
- Facilities: There is a small outdoor toilet at the lake and also at Glacier Spit Trailhead.
- Clothing and Gear: The weather can change quickly, so dress in layers and don’t forget a rain jacket. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and keep in mind that the trail can be really muddy. If you have weak knees, you may want to pack a pair of hiking sticks for support on the Saddle Trail descent.
- Essentials: Pack plenty of water, snacks (or a picnic for lunch), sunscreen, and bug spray. A basic first-aid kit is also recommended.
- Wildlife Safety: Kachemak Bay State Park is home to bears, so make noise as you hike, carry bear spray, and follow all safety guidelines. It’s not a good idea to hike here alone.
- Best Time to Visit: The best time to hike is during the summer months (May to September) when the weather is mild and the trails are clear. Early fall is also beautiful, with stunning fall colors.
I hope you found this guide helpful in planning your adventure to Grewingk Glacier Lake.
Whether you are looking for stunning scenery or the uniquely Alaskan experience, you won’t regret making time for this hike!
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