August 3, 2024
Juneau is widely known for whale watching and the vast amount of wildlife around, but the town also encompasses a glacier field. It’s home to the famous Mendenhall Glacier which is one of the most accessible glaciers in North America. In fact, it’s so accessible that it can be reached by bike!
Although this ride isn’t fully on a bike path, we couldn’t pass up the unique opportunity to bike to a glacier. We rented our bikes from Cycle Alaska which is conveniently located close to the cruise ship docks. There are two Cycle Alaska locations, but I recommend the one on Marine Way as it’s much closer to the cruise ships. The actual downtown Juneau area was a surprisingly long walk, from the cruise ships, so be prepared for that when planning your day. Our walk was further too because our ship was the last one to arrive and therefore was docked way at the end. On the way to the rental shop, you’ll pass the Goldbelt Tram station almost immediately after disembarking. This is one of the most popular attractions to do and definitely worth the trip especially if the day is clear and sunny.
The ride starts off through the streets of downtown Juneau. It is not recommended to bike down Egan Drive which is the main street through the city. Instead head a block off to Glacier Ave. Stay on Glacier Ave as it changes into Glacier Highway then straight into Channel Vista Drive. This is a dead end frontage road that parallels and rises above Egan Drive. It turns into somewhat of a paved multi-use pathway that is separate from the road. It is a little bumpy, so watch for potholes.
You’ll then take a right back to Glacier Highway which now does have a dedicated bike lane on the shoulder of the road. This section can be quite busy so ride single file. Follow the road until you reach an “end” sign just past The Southeast Alaska Animal Medical Center. Here the road changes to a paved multi-use path that again follows Egan Drive for a short time. Then take a right on the Mendenhall Loop Road bike path. Follow this road straight for about 4 miles until you reach the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. Stay straight when the road changes to Glacier Spur Road, you’ll see the signs for the Mendenhall Glacier. Despite all the road changes, the navigation is fairly straightforward. Mainly you’re just following Glacier Highway as it transitions to different road names and then look for Mendenhall Loop Road.
The ride to the glacier is 13 miles and took us just over an hour. Juneau is mainly at sea level so the ride is fairly flat. Cycling back was about 10 minutes quicker due to a slight downhill grade and lack of headwinds. The ride itself is not spectacularly scenic. The views are largely tree-lined and of roads. You do get some views of the water at times, but not breathtaking by any means.
There are some bike racks available near the pavilion to the left of the Visitor Center. Head towards the Visitor Center for the trailheads of Photo Point and Nugget Falls. Photo Point is only ⅓ mile total, but is worth the side trip on the way to Nugget Falls. This really does offer the best viewpoint of the full glacier. Nugget Falls Trail is 2 miles roundtrip and is an easy walk to a waterfall. Honestly, I was a little disappointed by the glacier view. I thought we would be able to get much closer. However, the view is a little obstructed by the landscape. Maybe I had my expectations too high, since this was our first land view of an Alaskan Glacier.
The Visitor Center is worth a stop on the way by. They have a cute gift store, some informative stations and most importantly restrooms and a water bottle filler. Although, personally the ride scenery and the glacier views itself were a little disappointing, I do not regret the ride at all. It’s not everyday you get to cycle in Alaska especially with a famous glacier in the background. Skip the popular, packed shuttle bus and jump on a bike seat instead. Due to the amount of traffic, I do not recommend this for people unless they are comfortable and experienced with biking on a road. I would skip this ride with smaller children also. If you’re cruising to Skagway next don’t miss biking up the Klondike Highway for some seriously epic views!
Bonus Stop!
Whether walking or biking an absolute must do stop is the Whale Project statue at Overstreet Park. This is about a 20 minute walk from the cruise ship docks along Egan Drive to Juneau Seawalk. Follow this boardwalk path for great ocean views, totem poles and direct route to the magnificent 25 foot tall breaching humpback whale sculpture called “Tahku”. Every 15 minutes of so the fountains turn on and really make the statue come to life. Do not miss this incredible photo spot!
Other Juneau Activities
Fun Facts
- At 3,255 square miles, Juneau is the largest capital city in the US and bigger than the state of Rhode Island
- Juneau is completely inaccessible by road. To get there, you must take a plane or boat.
- 15,000-30,000 bald eagles reside in Juneau, so keep your eyes peeled!
- The Mendenhall Glacier was first named the Auke Glacier until renamed in 1879
- Humpback whales feed for 20 hours a day and only eat in the summer. They migrate to Hawaii in the winter to have their babies
- A whale’s blowhole exhales at 300mph. Hearing the sound of the exhale and looking for the stream is the easiest way to spot a whale
