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Byron Glacier & Byron Glacier Trail
Portage Valley may be one of the most popular visitor destinations in Alaska, but don't let that scare you away. The truth is that most people stop at the visitor’s center for a quick walkthrough, take a photo on the deck and then get back on the road, to Whittier or elsewhere. And while it’s true that the valley's blue ice and glacial scenery is outstanding from More...
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Portage Pass Trail
This 2-mile-long, family-friendly trail, which begins 90 minutes south of Anchorage at the far end of the Whittier Tunnel, remains the only easy way to see Portage Glacier on foot. And it’s has a spectacular conclusion: After cresting Portage Pass, the trail drops through glacial scrub before popping out on the wide gravel shores of Portage Lake, directly across from the snout of gorgeous Portage Glacier.
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Horsetail Falls Trail
This leisurely, 0.75-mile trail begins just south of Whittier, a little seaside town located some 2 hours south of Anchorage. The trail doesn’t climb much, but it will take you high enough to get an unobstructed view of numerous waterfalls, including the long-dropping waters of Horsetail Falls as it sheets over the sheer rock face of Blackstone Ridge.
Bridal Veil Falls Trail
Bridal Veil Falls and the Valdez Goat Trail: This two-mile-long hike is a restored section of the Trans-Alaska Military Pack-train Trail that was the first glacier-free route from Valdez to the interior of Alaska. There's a fantastic overlook about a mile down the trail.
Indian Valley Trail
This trail crosses Indian Creek several times on its gradual climb through the old growth forest. Brush and Alder give way to a panoramic a-line near Indian Creek Pass. Parts of the trail can be difficult to follow, especially when traveling through the grass of the sub-alpine. This is part of the "Arctic to Indian" winter ski traverse.
Solomon Gulch Trail
About four miles in, there is a fish hatchery on this trail. The trail was created to provide a close look at the hatchery's dam, lake, and aqueducts. It also offers a good view of the Port of Valdez. It can be a step hike at times.
Pioneer Ridge-Knik River Trail
This is a good long day hike or overnight on a very steep trail that leads to the shoulder of Pioneer Peak which is a prominent Chugach Range summit. A long, steady, uphill hike, the Pioneer Ridge Trail climbs to a spectacular view of Knik Glacier, and higher up, of the Matanuska Valley, Pioneer Peak, and the Chugach Range.
Lowe River Access Trail
There are only a few places where you can spend time along the Lowe River without the sound of cars and motor homes—this unmarked turnoff is one of them. From here you can explore a little bit upstream and find a nice place to relax next to the river. And the only people you may see are local rafters, as this is used as a pickup spot after floating through Keystone Canyon.
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Ski Hill Trail
The first mile and a half of this trail leads up over rocky slopes that offer a great view of Eyak Lake and the Orca Inlet. At this point the trail splits in two and the hiker has a choice of going around the south end of Mt. Eyak or climbing straight up to the top.
Williwaw Nature Trail
There is a good guide for this trail available at the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center at Portage Glacier. Numbered trail posts correspond to things in the guide. This is a great place to view spawning salmon in the fall. It is a well-maintained path with a thirty-foot bridge. This hike is wheelchair accessible and there are lots of berries and various wildlife species.
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