Anchorage Hiking Trails

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.

This trail has its own sitting area and viewing deck with views of Anchorage, the Alaska Range, and Cook Inlet. It is really good for seeing sunsets in the evening but it is also windy. The whole route is wheelchair accessible. This is a good short hike for the family to see the view over Anchorage, but not a good trail for the training runner.

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. 

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 Powerline, Gasline, White Spruce, Blueberry Hollow, Alder, Panorama View, and Golden Grass trails.

With just a short walk from the parking area you will find a beautiful 20 foot water fall. The trailhead starts off paralleling the Turnagain Arm and there are a number of small trails that go to different lookouts. Take the trail to the left for a short distance and you will find the McHugh Trail branching off to the right. The trail zig-zags upward through the woods and provides ever better views of the Turnagain Arm and mountains. 

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...

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.

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...

This trail starts out on a boardwalk, but shortly afterwards turns onto a trail that traverses the right side of the valley as you head away from the parking area. Some people choose to go straight up to a pass that looks down on Ship Creek and is a high ridge traverse. However, if you continue down the main trail, it eventually drops down to the South Fork of the Eagle River and a couple miles further to two lakes, Eagle and Symphony, that nestle together towards the end of the valley.

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.

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...

An off-shoot of the Viewpoint Trail, Moose Meadow Trail cuts back towards the South Fork of Campbell Creek.  You'll wind through mixed forests of spruce, aspen, and even some cottonwoods.  Keep an eye out for a special type of moss known to locals as Old Man's Beard.  It typically grows on the underside of evergreens boughs and, in the right light, creates an  More...

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.

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.

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.

This trail begins at the Bird Ridge parking lot. Access the paved trail and follow it south to the Bird Ridge turn-off where you'll have the option to take a right for great views of Cook Inlet. The trail is flat and paved or covered with a boardwalk so this is a great option for all age groups.

The trail starts out steep, then flattens out toward the middle, then becomes quite steep again toward the end. It offers great views, but the wind can be fierce on open sections of the trail, so be sure to bring a windbreaker!

This is part of the Hillside Trail System and is open all year long. This is one of the Hillside trails that is groomed for skiing. It is a short connective trail and there is access to it via the Powerline, Gasline, South Fork Rim, Blueberry Hollow, and Denali View Trails.

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. Here’s how you might want to spend an afternoon here:

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.

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. 

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.

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...

Take a hike along California Creek and enjoy the quiet, wooded path. You'll find the Trailhead on Crow Creek Road near California Creek.

Well used trail by locals as a short (1-2 hour) aerobic hike with nice views. Take Eagle River Loop to Skyline, and follow the road as it swichbacks going up and eventually ends with parking alongside the road.

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...

Take the Arctic Valley Road to the end where parking is $5.00 to support the Alpenglow Ski Resort. The hike starts off at tree level and leads to multiple trails that will take you upward to a ridge in less than two hours. The trail also provides access to an alpine bowl rich with berries. From the highest peak there are views of the Anchorage Bowl and Inlet, Ship Creek, and South  More...

Some people elect to follow the ridgeline further back and that can take you to many more peaks, and views.

This trail is one of many that make up the Hillside Trail System.

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...

This is part of the Hillside Trail System and is open all year long. This is one of the Hillside trails that is groomed for skiing. It is a short connective trail and there is access to it via the Powerline, Gasline, South Fork Rim and Denali View Trails.

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...

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.

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...

The Ship Creek Trail itself begins at the Alaska Railroad depot on the north side of Anchorage and travels east from downtown for 2.6 miles to end at Tyson Elementary School in the city's Mountain View neighborhood. The paved trail follows its namesake creek for nearly its entire length, crossing it a few times.

After a brief uphill section, the trail skirts the edge of a canyon and private property to take you to a recently refurbished viewing deck. From the deck you can see the picturesque Thunder Bird Falls. For more adventure follow the trail down to the base of the falls for a close up look. The falls often freeze in winter producing ice-sculptures.

A 730-acre hiking and horseback mecca.

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.)  

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.

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.

This is part of the Hillside Trail System. It is one of the trails that is groomed for skiing in winter. You can access this trail via the Powerline, Gasline, Denali View, and Golden Grass Trails.

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...

This trail is a good one for runners with dogs. Dogs must be on a leash when on the trail and open fires are prohibited. This is a beautiful trail any time of year and is easy and a good trip for the whole family. Please be sure to avoid the water because there are beavers in the area and it is possible to get beaver fever aka Giardiasis.