Trail of Blue Ice (bike)

The feel

The trail stays on the valley floor and links all the developed recreation sites in Portage Valley. Most of it is a wide gravel footpath with boardwalks and bridges. It crosses salmon streams teeming with spawners in late summer.

Wildlife includes black and brown bears, snowshoe hare, eagles, moose, migrating birds and salmon. Brush is cleared away to reduce surprise wildlife encounters. The trail is fully accessible and in excellent condition.

What to expect

Route and terrain

Gravel and boardwalk, 4.5 to 5 miles one way, with 30 feet of gain. A 700 ft section at the lake end climbs slightly steeper than accessibility guidelines allow, and an alternate route along the road shoulder avoids it.

Time

3 hours one way.

Crowds and best time

Public use is heavy.

Parking

Access is at Mile 79 on the Seward Highway, 49 miles south of Anchorage, by Portage Glacier Road. Access points are Moose Flats Day Use Area, Explorer Glacier Pullout, Five Fingers, Williwaw Salmon Viewing Area and the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center lake-shore parking lot.

Kids

An easy walk, bike ride or ski outing for all ages.

Hazards

Avalanche run-out areas lie between Williwaw Campground and Five Fingers, so minimize your exposure there when avalanche hazards are possible.

Bathrooms and water

Boil surface water for 5 minutes before drinking.

Season and access

Open all year and closed to motorized vehicles all year. In winter it works as a ski outing.

Mingo says

Time your ride for late summer, when the salmon streams teem with spawners. Portage Valley is known for windy, wet weather, so be ready for rapid changes.

Before you go

• Call the Glacier Ranger District at (907) 783-3242.
• Call the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center at (907) 783-2326.
• Take the road shoulder alternate route to avoid the 700 ft steeper section at the lake end.

Written October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.