Juneau Segway Trail Ride: Off-Road Adventure in Tongass Forest

A Segway glides where hiking trails don't reach — through old-growth forest and muskeg on terrain built for the machine.

Ride an off-road Segway through Tongass National Forest on Juneau's only small-group trail adventure, starting from the cruise ship docks with a scenic shuttle to Fish Creek Valley. The tour includes a short training session, helmet, hands-free radio for guide commentary, water and snacks, and covers a 12-mile route through alpine meadows, rainforest and the historic Treadwell Ditch Trail. Designed for first-time riders and cruise passengers, the tour runs three hours and requires a moderate fitness level and the ability to stand and balance for the duration.

The Experience

You meet your certified guide at the cruise ship docks in Juneau, then ride a scenic shuttle 12 miles along the coastline into Fish Creek Valley on Douglas Island. The drive itself shows you the landscape before you're on it — the water, the mountains, the way the forest rises from the shore. Once you arrive, you get a helmet and a short training session on the Segway X2, the wide-tire model built for gravel and forest paths instead of pavement. Even if you've never ridden one, the guide walks you through the basics until you're comfortable.

Then you glide along a Nordic ski trail surrounded by Sitka spruce and hemlock, moving through alpine meadows and into old-growth rainforest where the canopy closes overhead. The Segway does the work of balancing; you steer and shift your weight. Your guide shares stories about Alaska's wildlife, the plants around you, and Juneau's gold-mining history as you pass the historic Treadwell Ditch, a remnant of the mines that built the town. You'll stop for photos and to take in the scale of the forest — the kind of quiet you don't get from a hiking trail where you're working to stay upright.

The tour is timed to fit cruise ship schedules, so you don't have to calculate return times or worry about missing your ship. You get water and snacks along the way, and the hands-free radio lets you hear the guide's commentary without shouting over the forest. Small groups keep the pace manageable and the experience personal — no crowds, no rush.

What’s included

• The tour includes use of the all-terrain Segway X2.
• helmet and hands-free radio for guide commentary.
• the scenic 12-mile shuttle from the cruise ship docks to Fish Creek Valley.
• a short training session before the trail.
• bottled water and snacks along the way.
• and a certified guide who shares stories about Alaska's wildlife, plants and Juneau's gold-mining history.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by iRIDE ALASKA - SEGWAY & eBIKE TOURS

Is this one for you?The tour demands three hours of standing and balancing on the Segway, so you need moderate fitness and good balance — but the machine handles the terrain, not your legs, which is what makes it possible to cover ground through rainforest and muskeg without the strain of hiking. Book this if you want to see the forest interior without arranging your own transport or worrying about ship departure times.

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Top questions

How long does it take from the ship to the actual trail?

The shuttle ride from the cruise ship docks to Fish Creek Valley is 12 miles and takes you along the coastline. Once you arrive, you receive a helmet and training before heading onto the trail itself, so plan for the full three-hour tour from dock to return.

What's the Treadwell Ditch Trail and why is it part of this ride?

The Treadwell Ditch is a historic remnant from Juneau's gold-mining era, when the mines that built the town ran water through this channel. Your guide shares the story of Juneau's mining history as you pass it on the trail, connecting the landscape you're riding through to the people who shaped it.

Is this really suitable for someone who's never ridden a Segway?

Yes — the tour is designed specifically for first-time riders. You receive a short training session before the trail starts, and the guide confirms you're comfortable before moving forward. The Segway X2 is stable on gravel and forest paths, and the Nordic ski trail is gentle enough for beginners.

What happens if my cruise ship leaves before the tour ends?

The tour is timed to work with cruise ship schedules, so you have a window to complete it and return to the dock without missing your departure. Confirm your ship's timing when you book so the operator can schedule you accordingly.

Do I need to be in great shape to ride for three hours?

You need a moderate level of fitness and the ability to stand and balance on the Segway for the duration. The machine does the work of propulsion; you're steering and shifting your weight, not hiking or climbing. You must be able to balance on one foot for about 10 seconds and weigh between 100 and 275 pounds.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes the Segway rental, helmet, hands-free radio for hearing the guide's commentary, bottled water, snacks, and all fees and taxes. The shuttle from the cruise ship docks and the certified guide are also included.