Laughton Glacier Hike and White Pass Rail Adventure
Overview
Available languages
9 hours 45 minutes
Mobile ticket
Your trip to the Laughton Glacier combines a scenic train ride aboard the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railway with a wilderness hike to the magnificent Laughton Glacier where you have an opportunity to HIKE ON A GLACIER! This is an out-and-back trail through the Tongass National Forest. The hiking speed of each tour determines the length of the hike, typically the whole hike is 6-8 miles.
For 33 Years Packer Expeditions has been Skagway's premiere Eco Tourism Agency! We've grown alongside Alaska's robust tourism and cruise community and have dialed in our services to be THE BEST Eco tour, ANYWHERE in the world!
The Laughton Glacier trail is world-class, not only because of the hard work and dedication of the Juneau Ranger District of the Tongass National Forest but also because Packer Expeditions has invested countless days into trail improvements and maintenance. This trail exists as a testament to the care and love that our guides have poured in over 3 decades of tours!
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
White Pass & Yukon Route Railway
All Aboard! Our journey begins on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, the only way to get to the Laughton Glacier Trailhead without chartering a helicopter. While on board, you will receive your lunch sandwich, snacks and water in a provided lumbar pack to bring with you on your journey. Enjoy the breathtaking mountain views from the train as you ride along this historic railroad. Get to know your guide, listen in to the world class narration on board and get ready to go hiking! At the end of our hike we will ride the same train back to Skagway, so sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!
Once the WP&YR drops us off at the trailhead, we will gear up to get going! After a brief safety talk, get outfitted with what you need to succeed on the trail! (All clients are provided with ice creepers for traversing the glacier ice, and trekking poles if they desire.) At the end of our hike, we will stow our gear and take a much deserved rest as we await the WP&YR to pick us up and take us back to Skagway.
What‘s Included
Our lunches are premade to order by a local restaurant!
We provide lumbar packs as well as ice creepers, trekking poles, rain gear and warm layers.
**PASSPORTS ARE REQUIRED**
Our train ride at the beginning and end of the tour includes a restroom for all guests.
All guests receive assorted snacks (trail mix, granola bars, candy bars and fruit gummies.) Don't worry if you get jealous of other peoples candy bars, our guides carry plenty of extra for everyone!
Options
Laughton Glacier Hike and White Pass Rail Adventure
Reviews
12 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Outstanding family full-day experience!
Katiezhongguo,,Aug 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing time. Our tour guide was amazing and gave us an incredible overview about the ecology of the region, local vegetation, and the history of the glacier. It was an absolutely phenomenal day!
Incredible glacier hike
Traveling with baby8,,Aug 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Day trip while on a Princess cruise. Beautiful train ride and even better hike that was perfect for our family with a 12 and 14 year old. Lots of thoughtful details and tons of education on the hike. Amazing videos of the day were a nice surprise. Can't recommend this trip highly enough.
Took a train to the trail, hiked to the glacier for lunch and hiked back to train.
782elissas,,Aug 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An amazing family experience. Tour guide was great - had everything we needed for the hike, including plenty of snacks, hot chocolate, hand warmers, walking poles, and extra layers. He was very informative, educating us along the way. He even took drone footage and gave us the footage to take home! The views were beautiful! Made stops along the way to capture pictures and enjoy the beauty!
Rainforest and Laughton glacier hike
501cindies,,Jul 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Austin is a great guide. He’s very knowledgeable about Alaska and glaciers. This is a unique opportunity to walk on a glacier. You hike through a magical forest to get to the glacier. Highly recommend. Recommended for moderate to seasoned hikers.
Best tour we’ve done!
Rpolsky,,Jun 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This hike was the highlight of our trip to Alaska! Austin was the perfect tour guide - had everything we could ever need in his pack - rain jackets, snacks, first aid kit and even hot chocolate! He even has a drone which took amazing videos and photos of our adventure. The scenery was spectacular and the hike was amazing and our 3 kids ages 10, 14 and 17 all enjoyed it. Austin was particularly great with our 10 year old answering all his questions. This was the best thing we did in Alaska and probably the best hike/excursion of any of our vacation. Highly recommend for a family ready for some adventure. Worth every penny!
Love
Allyson W,,Jun 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The perfect day of hiking and amazing scenery. Austin took such good care of us and made the experience educational and very fun. I'd do this again in a heartbeat.
Adventure of a life time!
Mary P,,Jun 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We did this adventure the beginning of June and there was still quite a bit of snow. Beautiful clear day...breathtaking views and amazing hike. Had to use snow shoes to get on glacier ..which was difficult at times...great cardio workout! Totally worth it in the end. Austin was the best! Knows the hike like the back of his hand and went above and beyond to make this the most memorable experience! Best place to get engaged!
A Once in a Lifetime view of Alaska
Vacation49459254344,,Jun 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is an adventure that’s both thrilling and unforgettable that we highly recommend. You will experience the breathtaking beauty and wonder of Alaska like never before. Austin’s passion and deep knowledge of the region shine through, and he runs the tour with such professionalism, you’ll feel like a VIP the whole time. Dress in layers, bring your energy, and get ready to make memories you’ll be bragging about for years. Truly a “must do”!
A Truly Amazing Alaskan Experience
Catherine K,,Jun 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00My husband and I had an amazing day trip with our tour guide Austin. This was truly a memorable experience we highly recommend. The hike is easy to moderate. We are in our 60s, in good health and had no problems with the hike or elevation. There was still snow on a small portion of our hike near the glacier so we put on snowshoes provided by our guide. The glacier is spectacular and so was the ride on the White Pass Railway. Austin, our tour guide, is a wonderful conversationalist and great company. He’s very knowledgeable, funny, a little nerdy like us and we had a great time. Well worth it!
Best Outdoor Adventure
Joshua W,,Jun 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was such a fun adventure and totally worth going on! For this time of year, we got to hike up a beautiful rain forest and transition into snow shoes at the top! There is nothing like seeing the raw beauty of nature, from the gushing rivers that smooth out entire rock formations and the avalanches (from a distance) that tumbled from the mountain tops. Never did we feel like we were in any danger with our guide and he carried almost all the equipment too! I felt so alive on the hike, and I’d do the hike again with him regularly if I could.
From US$400.00
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