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Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
Flattop Mountain at Glen Alps
Flattop is Alaska’s most visited peak. Ascend the 1.5 - mile, 1,350 vertical foot trail to the rocky, football field-sized summit in about an hour and take in panoramic views from Denali (Mt. McKinley) to the Aleutian Islands. If you want vistas without the hike, walk the short path from the parking lot to the overlook.
Ptarmigan Pass Trail
If you only have a little experience doing off-trail hiking, then this scenic 5-miler will help you get a bit more under your belt. Beginning on Rabbit Creek Trail, in the Front Range just above Anchorage, this hike visits a surprisingly expansive and scenic plateau that remains hidden from sight until you actually climb to it.
Westchester Lagoon
If you’re looking for a wild oasis that’s just a 15-minute walk from downtown Anchorage, look no further than Westchester Lagoon (also known as Margaret Eagan Sullivan Park). One of the city’s most popular places, this is where locals come to play, as it has something for everyone. You’ll find access to great trails and wildlife, as well as year-round activities and events for the entire family.
Hike to Campbell Creek Gorge
The Campbell Creek Gorge overlook is one of Anchorage’s best kept secrets. It’s just a 25-minute uphill hike—even shorter on bike— from both the Hillside Ski Chalet parking area and North Bivouc Trailhead, or a slightly longer 1-hour hike from Campbell Airstrip. From the tree-covered overlook, you can gaze hundreds of feet down a sheer cliff to Campbell Creek as it crashes through a narrow, brush-infested canyon.
Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks
Black Tail Rocks is a very airy climb that stretches to 4,446 feet above Eagle River, a town located just north of Anchorage. It’s a journey that involves only a minimal amount of hand-over-hand scrambling; you’ll be following a trail for most of the 4-mile, 2,750-foot hike. And you’ll have a fine view from the top, looking up the length of the secluded Meadow Creek Valley and well into the deep inner reaches of the Chugach Mountains.
Bear Point Trail
It’s not as difficult as you might think to hike to stand atop the precipitous, gully-scarred face of Bear Point. But it’s not easy, either. The 2-mile hike ascends 2,100 feet and can be tricky. But your reward is an amazing view in all directions, from the Kenai Peninsula to Denali and the Chugach Mountains to Matanuska Peak.
Eagle River Nature Center
Forty minutes from downtown Anchorage lies Eagle River Nature Center, a gateway to Chugach State Park and a glacial river valley as wild and dramatic as any in Alaska. Enjoy an easy, 3-mile nature walk on the Albert Loop or trek up-valley 5 miles to see plunging waterfalls and 3,000-foot cliffs. In winter, traverse the trails on cross-country skis or snowshoes.
Alyeska Resort Summer Mountain Biking & Hiking Trails
June - September
Rent a mountain bike (and all the body armor you need) for a thrilling, two-wheel ride down Mt. Alyeska. Lessons and tours of the route are offered. Or, go for a hike on one of the many area trails, either with a guide or on your own. You can even strap on some crampons and go trekking on a glacier.
Mount Eklutna Loop
While many people find satisfaction in climbing to the top of Bear Point, others may wonder about reaching the summit of Mount Eklutna, the prominent peak rising just to the east. It involves two more miles of hiking, up 1,100 feet, including a short, sharp scramble up a gravel trail. You can return to the Peters Creek Trail trailhead via an alternate route, which makes for a fine loop hike.
Cross country skiing in Beach Lake Park
For a challenging and compact cross country ski area where you’ll find just about every kind of terrain, you can’t go wrong at Beach Lake Nordic Ski Trails off South Birchwood Loop in Chugiak. The 15-kilometer-plus system ranges from easy gliding to a sprawling advanced loop with sudden headwalls that morph into thrilling, high-speed descents. You can make it as challenging or as sedate as you like.
O’Malley Peak Trail
You don’t have to be a mountaineer to reach the summit of O’Malley Peak—the prominent spire rising from the Front Range above Anchorage—but don’t mistake it for an easy climb. Some of the 5-mile-long trail climbs quite steeply; other parts add very loose gravel to the incline. Still, these conditions don’t make this hike excessively dangerous, just satisfyingly laborious.
Avalanche Mountain
Reaching the summit of Avalanche Mountain takes a considerable amount of effort: a 5.5-mile hike up Powerline Trail followed by a 1.5-mile off-trail scramble. But this 3,200-foot climb—which begins at the Glen Alps parking area, just 10 miles from downtown Anchorage—takes no mountaineering skills. If you feel at all comfortable hiking and climbing over some loose stones and boulders, you should find this to be a very gratifying adventure.
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McHugh Peak
You’ll have a hard time losing your way on this 2.5-mile climb of 4,301-foot-high McHugh Peak. You’ll also have a hard time forgetting the view from the summit, which extends up the length of Turnagain Arm and across Knik Arm to the Alaska Range. It’s even more satisfying knowing that you found your way to the summit with only minimal help from the trail.
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Bartlett Ski Trails
For one of the loopiest and fun Nordic ski areas in the city, try out the trails behind Bartlett High School along the boundary of the military base. Hilly, with lots of curves that spring into quick and sudden climbs, this five-kilometer-plus system through a mature forest packs a lot of skiing into a small footprint.
Circumnavigation of the Wedge
Not everyone should undertake this 13-mile traverse that begins at Glen Alps above Anchorage. Considerable off-trail hiking, plus a steep climb to a ridge top, might be outside your comfort zone. But this trail does offer a profound sense of solitude and some spectacular views. It also includes the novelty of hiking a mile-long sheep trail that traverses the back of The Wedge, some 500 feet above the secluded waters of Ship Lake.
Blueberry Knoll
Some 50 miles north of Anchorage, this 1.5-mile trail makes for a fine family outing. From the picnic table at the uppermost end of the trail, you’ll find a satisfying panoramic view of the Matanuska River and Knik River valleys. It’s a view as good, or better, than that from many summits.
Rendezvous Peak Trail
If people suggest climbing Flattop, tell them you’d rather climb Rendezvous Peak. Flattop is arguably Alaska’s most popular (and therefore, most crowded) mountain; Rendezvous is far less crowded and offers better views from the summit. See them by hiking up 1,500 feet to the 4,050-foot summit.
Potter Marsh Boardwalks
These boardwalks, which extend for more than 0.3 miles across the northern end of man-made Potter Marsh (located on the far southern end of the Anchorage peninsula), draw birders from all over the world. Beginning in early spring, waterfowl of all shapes and sizes begin to appear on the usually placid waters of this marsh. Some, like geese and ducks, come and go. Others, like terns, gulls, and waders, stay. They make their nests in the islets of grasses sprouting across the length and breadth of the marsh.
Kincaid Park
Kincaid Park offers the easiest way to get deep in the woods right in town. It's a mecca for outdoor sports of all kinds in a wilderness-like setting on the site of a former Cold War missile base. This 1,500-acre park sprawls over an ancient and rugged moraine at the southwest tip of the Anchorage Bowl at the west end of Raspberry Road. From its panoramic views of Denali and the vast Cook Inlet to its intimate deep woods enclaves, the park is crisscrossed by a world-class trail system usable all year round.
Thunderbird Falls Trail
Who can say no to a cool waterfall only a half-hour’s drive from town? One of the most popular “first hikes” for families with small children, the one-mile trail to Thunderbird Falls traverses a handsome birch forest along the Eklutna River canyon to reach a deck with views of a 200-foot waterfall. During winter, the falls can freeze, forming fabulous columns of blue ice.
Kincaid Bluff Trail
If you only have a limited amount of time in Anchorage but want go out for a great hike, consider Kincaid Bluff Trail. Just a 20-minute drive from downtown Anchorage, this is a 6-mile loop hike to Kincaid Chalet. Along the way, you’ll find 3 miles of rugged trail that skirt the summit of precipitous bluffs at the end of the Anchorage Peninsula.
Far North Bicentennial Park
Explore the 4000-acre Far North Bicentennial Park to experience true wilderness within Anchorage. Though the area looks very wild, a few locations near Campbell Creek had substantial development during World War II when the nearby Campbell Airstrip was readied for use by fighter planes.
Hemlock Knob Trail
This trail is part of the Hillside Trail System. It is groomed in winter for cross-country skiers. You can gain access to this trail via the Powerline, Gasline and Silver Fern trails.
Russian Jack Springs Park
Russian Jack Springs Park is approximately 300-acres in size and offers endless activities for any time of the year ranging from a golf course, to a dog park as well as one of the best sledding hill Anchorage has to offer!
Lost Cabin Valley Trail
This is part of the hillside trail system. It is not one of the trails that is groomed for skiing in winter. It is located at the entrance to the trail system and provides access to many other trails in the system.
Rabbit Creek Park Trail
After parking, continue down the road until it narrows into a trail. The land crosses briefly some private land. Hundreds of people hike or ski this trail every year. The trail is a gradual ascent up Rabbit Creek Valley, with the creek and McHugh Peak on the right and the back side of flattop, and Ptarmagan Peak on your left. The trail starts in alders, but within a mile or two, More...
Powerline Trail
At first glance the Powerline Trail doesn't appear to be much more than a long dirt road connecting to Indian Valley. The first 6.0 miles of this trail are uniquely different from the last 5.0 miles in regard to terrain, vegetation, and even wildlife.
Turnagain Arm Trail
Older books might have referred to this as the old Johnson Trail, but another trail of the same name on the Kenai Peninsula made it too confusing for them to both keep their names. This trail is the first of the trails available for hiking in the spring. It follows the highway, with mild elevation gains to allow awesome views of the Turnagain Arm.
Centennial Park Trails
There is a campground here located North East side of town, with soccer fields, etc. It is up against Military land to the East. This trail is mostly used for cross-country skiing. 3.1 miles of the trail is unlighted and 0.6 miles of the trail is lit. There is access to the ball fields from this trail. This trail is also used for sledding and is very kid-friendly. There are some who More...
Alyeska Multi-Use Pathway
The Alyeska Multi-Use Pathway is a paved, lighted multi-use trail that extends from the Seward Hwy to the Hotel Alyeska. The path is popular with walkers and runners, and with a fresh batch of snow it becomes a great classic ski trail.
Mount Alyeska Hiking Trails: Hiking For All Fitness Levels
Hiking up Mt. Alyeska is a challenge, but the reward is great views of Turnagain Arm, the seven “hanging” glaciers of Girdwood Valley, and peaks stretching deep into the Chugach Mountain range.
Below you’ll find our recommended routes to the top; all leave from the Alyeska Hotel (where you’ll find trail maps). While any summer day is good for More...
Silver Fern Trail
This is part of the Hillside Trail System. It is one of the trails that is groomed for skiing in winter. There is access to this trail available via the Upper Hillside Trailhead and the Gasline Trail.
Falls Creek Trail
If you like cascading waterfalls, a great stream, and exceptional views of Turnagain Arm, you don't want to miss this hike. The rumbling stream with gradual cascading falls and mountain views provides a picturesque valley setting unique to this trail. The trail is rough and steep and climbs high enough that you're likely to see Dall sheep, golden eagles, and Arctic ground More...
Bird Ridge Trail
This hike is popular in spring for those looking for an aerobic workout. It is very steep, but offers secure footing. One of many highlights along the scenic Seward Highway, Bird Ridge Trail climbs 3,000 feet in a little more than a mile to magnificent views of the fjord-like Turnagain Arm.
Ship Creek Trail (Alpenglow)
Take the trail on the right hand side of the road a mile or two before Alpenglow Ski resort. The area is forested and heads downward two miles prior to reaching Ship Creek. There is a branch that goes straight and follows the road that many kids use for sledding in the winter, and it will take you to the Arctic Valley road in a couple of miles where parents await to pick them up. More...
Little Campbell Lake
This is a great pocket of wilderness right in Anchorage: easy to get to, quiet and pretty idyllic. Set in the northeastern section of Kincaid Park, Little Campbell Lake is packed with lily pads and surrounded by a thick forest lined with trails. Spend the afternoon hiking, swimming, fishing, or paddling around the lake.
Bird Valley Trails
This wide trail continues from mile 4, up the valley to the Bird Creek crossing. A less developed trail continues on for another 2 miles, then quickly gains elevation to the pass. Traveling to the East from Bird Creek Pass will lead you to Grizzly Bear Lake and Moraine Pass.
Lower Fossil Creek Trail
There are no shelters along this trail and it is 23 miles to Windy Gap Cabin. This trail leaads through spruce forest and crosses lakes and creeks with beautiful scenery on all sides.
Hanging Valley Trail
This trail is an offshoot of the South Fork Trail that leads to Eagle and Symphony Lakes. It provides some awesome views of the Eagle River Valley and South Fork Eagle River as it works its way up into the hanging valley perched above the Eagle River Valley floor. The final destination for most hikers, near the end of the valley, is the hidden Hanging Valley Tarn, nestled in a More...
Dog Mushing Trail
The name says it all – during the winter months at least. The trail is off limits once snow flies, but as soon as the snow is gone in the spring, recreate to your heart’s content. This network of wintertime dog mushing trails offers a wide array of options throughout the summer. With a little creativity you can put together outings from 1.4 to 12+ More...
Point Woronzof Park
This 191.7-acre Anchorage park, which was created in 1994 as Municipal dedicated parkland, is highly valued for its wildlife habitat, coastal tidelands and recreational value. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail runs through it and the area has spectacular views of the inlet and surrounding mountain ranges. You can spot whales in the inlet and watch the jets land and take off from the Ted More...
Iditarod National Historic Trail
The Iditarod National Historic Trail is Alaska’s sole National Historic Trail. This network of 2,300-mile winter trails evolved to connect Alaskan Native villages, established the dog-team mail and supply route during Alaska’s Gold Rush, and now serves as a vital recreation and travel link.
Much of the trail is not passable without snow cover, at least without More...
Penguin Peak Trail
A short road called Konikson located just past Bird Ridge heading east will take you to the trailhead. Stay to the right until you see a trail about a quarter mile in going right and up. The trail follows a small drainage, and quickly gets past the tree line.
Abbott Trail
Part of the Abbott Trail System, this is a well-defined access trail that drops before crossing the South Fork Campbell Creek and intersecting with the Spencer Loop. (Go left, cycling clockwise.)
Abe’s Trail (Gentoo-California Ridge)
Access to Abe's Trail is via the Californa Creek/Beaver Pond Trail North Access. This is a steep climb that affords nice views of the Cook Inlet and Girdwood area.
Rabbit Lake Trail
Trail head begins by traversing private land, but an easement has been provided for such. Easy to bike, ski, run or walk to mild slope with a wide sides, making is safe from avalanches in the winter. Should you choose to turn left at the start, you can go to Flat Top as an alternative route or Peak 2 or 3, depending how far down you go down the trail before turning left. Ptarmagan More...
Middle Fork Loop
This trail is perfect for days when your time or energy for a longer hike is lacking. Lying on the outskirts of Anchorage, these trails are mostly flat. Though it is popular with locals, especially for skiing and snowshoeing in the winter, the trail is hardly crowded.
