Alaska - the Last Frontier. Gosh, there really is just so much to love about this wild place. TOO much to love almost. It is so vast with so many incredible wilderness spaces worth exploring, absolutely filled to the brim with trails offering gorgeous vistas. One of my favorites that I would consider easy access and low commitment is Mt. Marathon.
The coolest thing about it is that it basically shoots straight up 3,000+ feet from literal sea level. It towers high above Resurrection Bay, meaning you get both summit and ocean views when standing at the top, and it's truly extraordinary. If you're hiking it, you've got two main routes to choose from: the Race Trail, which is the iconic, gritty path used in the annual July 4th Mt. Marathon Race, or the Jeep Trail, a more established and less technical alternative (but still no joke).
The Race Trail is intense—loose rock, dirt scrambles, and an almost vertical climb in places. It’s wild and raw, and coming back down is its own kind of adventure. The Jeep Trail is more gradual (relatively speaking) and well-marked, with incredible views of Resurrection Bay and lush alpine meadows as you climb. You can also make a loop by going up one and down the other, though I would recommend going up Race and down Jeep if that's your choice.
When I hiked it, I was with my family. It was my dad's 60th birthday, and he HATES exposure, so I opted to go up the Jeep trail with him. My brother and brother-in-law went up the Race Trail, and we all met at the summit. It was absolutely beautiful in every way. I honestly can't remember how long it took us, but it was definitely no more than 4 hours. Even including hanging out at the top and enjoying the sweeping view of the bay for a while. So it's really a perfect hike to add to your travels through the Seward area, because without spending an enormous amount of time, you get a HUGE pay out.