Alaska hikes

I'm traveling with my husband, 16 year old and 11 year old on the Grand Princess to Alaska this June, and I want to get in at least one fairly challenging hike. Husband and kids will be up for nature walks, but not huge fans of fast paced exertion.

I'm leaning towards the Skagway Hike and Float or Ketchikan Rainforest Hike but am open to alternatives. And is a guided excursion the way to go, or can I do this on my own with just shuttle transport?

Thank you!

I'm traveling with my husband, 16 year old and 11 year old on the Grand Princess to Alaska this June, and I want to get in at least one fairly challenging hike. Husband and kids will be up for nature walks, but not huge fans of fast paced exertion.

I'm leaning towards the Skagway Hike and Float or Ketchikan Rainforest Hike but am open to alternatives. And is a guided excursion the way to go, or can I do this on my own with just shuttle transport?

Thank you!

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

I would spend some time reading the Alaska forum here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55

Much good information there.

The Skagway walk is pretty good ,it is also walkable from the ship the train is above you and there are some very interesting sites along the way.

I'm traveling with my husband, 16 year old and 11 year old on the Grand Princess to Alaska this June, and I want to get in at least one fairly challenging hike. Husband and kids will be up for nature walks, but not huge fans of fast paced exertion.

I'm leaning towards the Skagway Hike and Float or Ketchikan Rainforest Hike but am open to alternatives. And is a guided excursion the way to go, or can I do this on my own with just shuttle transport?

Thank you!

If the Skagway excursion is what I think it is, it is not a difficult hike at all. There is one small hill that you go over, but the entire thing is at a very leisurely pace, there is nothing challenging about it. I would consider it more of a nature walk, than a hike.

Keep in mind that if you go with others you are going to go at the pace of the slowest person.

You might have the best luck in Juneau.

I would take the WP&YR to the Denver Flag Stop and hike to Denver Glacier. Allow 6 hours for the hike. You get both a train ride and a nice hike.

You could hike up Mt. Roberts in Juneau. I also know that there are trails up there once you get to the top. You could then hike down. That should get your blood flowing.

DON