Mt. Roberts Tramway tour with craft beer: Totem Loop hike

Hike past totems and learn Alaska Native culture on the mountain above Juneau

The Trails and Ale Tour is a guided hike along the Totem Loop on Mt. Roberts, accessed by a six-minute tramway ascent to 1,800 feet. The tour covers Alaska Native culture, local wildlife and the mountain's flora and fauna, led by a live English-speaking guide. A wooden nickel drink voucher (up to $10 value) is included for redemption at the Timberline Bar and Grill or Tr'Ale House beer garden at the summit. Kids can use theirs for non-alcoholic drinks.

Step-by-step itinerary

Mt. Roberts Tram and Cultural Tour

• Board Goldbelt Tram at cruise dock
• Ascend Mount Roberts in six minutes
• Explore restaurant, theater, and beer garden
• Join guided Alaska Native cultural tour
• Visit Totem Loop and observation decks
• Learn about Alaskan wildlife and history
• Redeem wooden nickel for drink

The experience

The Mt. Roberts Tramway starts steps from the cruise ship dock and carries you up 1,800 feet in six minutes. From the top, the Trails and Ale Tour follows the Totem Loop, a guided route past wooden monuments that tell the story of Alaska Native culture: oral tradition, ecological knowledge, artwork and language woven into how the Tlingit people understand the land. The tour lasts about an hour and covers the mountain's geology, wildlife and how nature shapes both the ecosystem and the culture that lives within it.

The guide walks you through the observation decks and along the trail, pointing out the flora and fauna of the mountain and explaining Juneau's history. At the end, you get a wooden nickel voucher worth up to $10 to spend on a drink at either the Timberline Bar and Grill or the Tr'Ale House, a beer garden at the summit. Kids can use the same voucher for non-alcoholic drinks at the restaurant. The tramway station, restaurant, theater and retail shop are all at the top, so there's no waiting or extra logistics once you arrive.

What’s included

• Guided hike along the Totem Loop with a live English-speaking guide.
• Mt. Roberts Tramway ascent and access to the summit.
• observation decks.
• wooden nickel drink voucher (up to $10 value) redeemable at Timberline Bar and Grill or Tr'Ale House beer garden.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day15 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 17:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

AgesAdult (12 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Youth (9 to 11 years) · Child (3 to 8 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “The Goldbelt Tram is located in downtown Juneau on the waterfront at Cruiseship Terminal. If you arrive to the Franklin Dock or the Steamship Dock, you are a 5-minute walk away.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomeNot for back problems

Operated by Goldbelt Tramway

Is this one for you?The hour-long hike suits travelers with at least moderate fitness who want to learn Alaska Native culture and local ecology without spending a full day on the mountain. The drink voucher at the end gives you a reason to linger at the summit, but the tour itself moves at a steady pace and doesn't require climbing experience.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (9 to 11 years); Child (3 to 8 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What is the Totem Loop and what does the guide explain about the totems?

The Totem Loop is a trail on Mt. Roberts past wooden monuments that tell Alaska Native stories. The guide explains how each totem reflects the cultural aspects of the Tlingit people (including oral tradition, ecological knowledge, social practices, music, artwork and language), and how nature's influence on geology, geography, ecology and biodiversity shapes both the land and the culture.

How do I get to the top of Mt. Roberts to start the hike?

The Goldbelt Tramway, located steps from the cruise ship dock, carries you up the mountain in a six-minute ascent to about 1,800 feet, where the trail begins.

What wildlife and plants will I see on the Totem Loop?

The tour covers the flora and fauna of Mt. Roberts. The guide points out the mountain's wildlife and vegetation as part of explaining the ecosystem and how it connects to Alaska Native culture and Juneau's history.

How does the drink voucher work, and where can I use it?

You receive a wooden nickel valued up to $10 at the end of the tour. You can redeem it for any drink at the Timberline Bar and Grill or the Tr'Ale House beer garden, both located at the summit. Kids can use the voucher for non-alcoholic drinks at the Timberline restaurant.

How long does the entire tour take?

The guided hike along the Totem Loop lasts about an hour. Add the six-minute tramway ride up and any time you spend at the summit facilities for a full experience of roughly one to two hours total.