20 Incredible Spots for Hiking in Alaska You Want to Check Out
The whole reason Daniel and I headed up north? To go hiking in Alaska! There are some pretty amazing trails in the Last Frontier, and if you feel like spending all of your time in the wilderness, you never run out of options to explore. This list covers a very small portion of the trails you can take on in Alaska, including options in some of the Alaska national parks, so don’t be afraid to do a little digging and find your own adventure too!
The best hiking in Alaska you don’t want to miss
This list covers the best options for hiking in Alaska that you should add to your Alaska road trip itinerary!
[lwptoc hideItems=”1″]
Centennial Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 0.75 miles (or add 1.9 miles)
When it comes to hiking in Alaska, you don’t want to miss the Centennial Trail! This path starts on the Keen-Eye Nature Trail, a .75-mile track through a wooded area, with a side trail that leads to Headquarters Lake. Between the three tracks in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Center, this is the longest option.
The Centennial Trail adds an extra 1.9 miles through the forest, with more opportunities for wildlife viewing, especially moose. In general, this trail is relatively easy, offering lovely scenery with views overlooking a marsh and a lake.
Refuge Ski Trails
If you’re looking for a long Alaska trail, this trail system is for you! The Refuge Ski Trails are comprised of a 10-mile circuit of various loop trails. These paths are well-maintained and perfect for hiking, skiing and snowshoeing.
You can access the routes from the parking lot of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. If you are skiing during the winter months, stop inside the center to relax next to the old-timey soapstone masonry heater.
Tsalteshi Trails
Located in Soldotna, Alaska, the Tsaltechi Trail system is incredible during every season. Visitors and locals enjoy hiking, running, photography, and berry-picking in the summer, while the winter offers fat-tire biking and cross-country skiing. With over 25 kilometers of well-maintained skiing trails, you won’t run out of places for winter exploration. The area also has an 18-hole disc golf course and 10 kilometers of singletrack trails for mountain bikers.
This system has two main areas; the primary trail system and the Slikok Multi-Use Trails. The primary system has over 8 miles of lighted trails, allowing for nighttime skiing, while the Slikok Trails have 10 kilometers that allow for several kinds of outdoor adventures.
Harding Ice Field Trail
Difficulty: Hard
Distance: 9.2 miles
The Harding Ice Field Trail is one of the toughest and most stunning hikes in Alaska. At a length of 9.2 miles, you will need all day to complete this one. Located in Kenai Fords National Park, the journey begins on the floor of the valley, where you will pass through meadows and forests, climbing above the treeline to have an incredible view of the ice field down below.
You will gain an elevation of about 1,000 feet per mile, so bring a good pair of boots and maybe some trekking poles. Check the trail conditions before you start–the higher portion of the path is sometimes covered with snow through the summer, and the weather in this area can be extreme.
Flattop Mountain Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 3.3 miles
Situated near Anchorage, Alaska, the Flattop Mountain Trail is a 3.3-mile loop that takes about 2 hours to complete. This trail is considered moderately challenging, with an elevation gain of about 1,400 feet. Hikers will begin the route from the Glen Alps parking area.
The first portion is somewhat difficult, but then becomes more challenging during the second half. As you approach the summit, there is a rock climb- in the snow, this climb can be strenuous and tricky. For an easier route, follow the directions to the Flattop Trail, located at a crossroads along this route marked by a single tall post.
Mount Healy Overlook Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6.9 miles
The Mount Healy Overlook Trail is one of the steepest Alaska hiking trails. Located in Denali National Park, this trail goes partly up Mount Healy, situated near the park entrance. With a one-way distance of 2.7 miles and an elevation gain of 1,700 feet, the trail begins by rising through a spruce forest.
At the halfway mark, you can sit on benches that overlook the forest that you just hiked through. The second half is steeper, featuring more switchbacks. The trail’s end is at an open panoramic view with lovely views to the south. While visitors can hike beyond the path, the terrain is rugged and steep, so be prepared.
Exit Glacier Overlook Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 2.2 miles
The Exit Glacier Overlook Trail only takes an hour to complete, making this an excellent option for quick and easy hiking in Alaska. This 2.2-mile loop trail is considered an easy hike, and is located near Seward, Alaska.
You will begin this route at the Exit Glacier Nature Center parking area, taking the Glacier View Loop Trail through the forest toward Glacier View, where you can enjoy a scenic vista of the Exit Glacier spilling from the Harding Ice Field. The trail loops back to the parking lot, but if you want to keep going, take a left at the trail-side kiosk and continue for .6 miles to the Exit Glacier Overlook.
Thunderbird Falls Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1.8 miles
Thunderbird Falls Trail is ideal for young families or beginners hiking in Alaska, with a length of only one mile and a 100-foot elevation gain. This path is only a half-hour drive from Anchorage, serving as a beautiful oasis from the city.
The trail leads through a stunning birch forest, following the Ekultna River canyon. Towards the end, you will arrive at a deck with views of the 200-foot Thunderbird Falls. In the summer, you will likely feel the cool mist of the waterfall, while the falls can freeze during the winter, showcasing breathtaking columns of blue ice.
Horseshoe Lake Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 2.1 miles
Located in Denali National Park, Horseshoe Lake Trail has three access points. The first access point is located at Mile 1 on Denali Park Road, the shortest and most direct route. Parking can be found next to the trailhead. You can also access this trail at the Denali Visitor Center, entering the path across the road from the upper parking lot. The final trailhead is behind the Denali Visitor Center, which is the most extended option.
This loop around the lake features waterfront views, forest pathways, a steep slope, and views of the Nenana River. The entire loop is 2 miles with an elevation loss of 250 feet.
Byron Glacier Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 3.2 miles
This 1-mile route makes for one of the shortest and easiest Alaska trails, located in Girdwood. You can easily access the trailhead a few hundred meters from the Begich Boggs Visitor Center. Along this hike, you will be able to marvel at views of the Byron Glacier, which lies beyond the end of this flat and well-maintained trail. The path begins about a half mile from the end of the road.
You’ll follow the trail through a winding path through cottonwood and aspen trees, and Byron Creek will be nearby for much of the journey. The closer you get to the glacier, the more the trees thin out so that you can experience the incredible nearby glacier and dramatic cliffs.
Winner Creek Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 4.9 miles
You can access the Winner Creek Trail from anywhere in Girdwood, Alaska. This 8-mile loop can be divided into two sections: the Lower Winner Creek Trail and the Upper Winner Creek Trail. The lower portion is straightforward, featuring 3 miles of a broad, well-maintained path.
Beginning behind the Alyeska Tram building and ending at Crow Creek Road, most visitors only hike this lower section. The upper section of the trail is much longer, leading through the high country and showcasing jaw-dropping views of the mountains. Whichever one you pick, these trails offer some of the best hiking in Alaska.
Unity Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 9 miles
If you’re looking for things to do in Alaska, look no further! This 9-mile paved trail is one of the most popular spots for hiking in Alaska. The path follows the Kenai Spur Highway, running from Soldotna to Kenai, and is used for biking, running, walking, and rollerblading.
This trail is charming in the fall, showcasing incredible fall foliage. Along the way, there are numerous opportunities to relax on a park bench, do some birdwatching, or bike from one city to the next. Many families use this trail, as the pavement makes it an ideal path for strollers.
Sugarloaf Mountain Trail
Difficulty: 4.3 miles
Distance: 4.3 miles
With 4 miles of steep ridge hiking and an elevation gain of 2700 feet, the Sugarloaf Mountain Trail is a fun and challenging spot for hiking in Alaska. Located north of Denali National Park, this trail showcases views of the hotels and restaurants below. The most challenging portion of the path is at the very beginning, but once you get past the sharp incline, you can enjoy postcard-worthy views and a quiet trail.
You can access this trail from the rear of the parking lot at the Grande Denali Lodge. There is no marker for the beginning of the track, but if you look for the utility boxes at the end of the parking lot, you should find the starting point of Sugarloaf.
Dragonfly Creek
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1.6 miles
Dragonfly Creek Trail may have a quick elevation, but those who stick it out will be rewarded with sweeping views. Along this hike, you can enjoy a quiet creek that leads to one of the wildest rivers in Alaska. You may also see large birds, wildflowers, and other incredible Alaskan wildlife.
This 1.6-mile out-and-back trail is considered easy, but be prepared for steep ridges and an uphill climb. Those who finish out the hike will enjoy views of an 80-foot waterfall, making this one of the most beautiful places for hiking in Alaska.
Chilkoot Trail
Difficulty: Hard
Distance: 33 miles
The Chilkoot Trail dates back to the Klondike Gold Rush in the late 1800s. This trail served as a trade route highway during this time, but today, it’s a 33-mile trail used for hiking, backpacking, and running.
Over 10,000 people trek this trail each year, and for good reason. Between wildflowers, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, and wildlife, this path has every kind of Alaska scenery. If you trek this area in the summer, you might even run into some wild blueberries, making for a delicious afternoon snack.
Reed Lakes
Difficulty: Challenging
Distance 8.7 miles
Whether you want a well-kept path or rugged terrain, Reed Lakes Trail offers both! The first two miles start with a well-maintained trail, leading deeper into the mountains for more wildlife and varied landscapes.
This out-and-back trail is considered challenging at a length of 8.7 miles and an elevation gain of over 2,200 feet. While the average completion time is around 4.5 hours, you could likely spend a whole day enjoying this mountainous area, making for one of the best Alaska hikes.
Deer Mountain
Difficulty: Challenging
Distance: 6.7 miles
Hikers will climb over 2,800 feet in elevation, making this a challenging Alaska hiking trail. On this 6.7-mile hike, you will encounter natural rock, wooden bridges, and gravel pathways.
Deer Mountain starts in a swamp with a boardwalk trail over the water. Eventually, you will climb higher into sections with heavy timber. As you reach the top, you will experience spectacular alpine scenery. Make sure to stay on the path; several hikers have fallen to their deaths on some of the steep cliff areas.
Eielson Alpine Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 2 miles
Nestled in Denali National Park, this 2-mile out-and-back trail begins with 1,000 feet of climbing in just under a mile. Even though the incline is strenuous, hikers will enjoy wildflowers, lovely views, and plenty of wildlife.
As you climb higher on this trail, views of Muldrow Glacier steadily improve. However, the real climax is at the top of the ridge facing north, viewing Mount Galen and the surrounding hills. In terms of wildlife, this area is thick with grizzly bears, caribou, eagles, and Dall sheep. The second mile is all downhill as you find your way back to the trailhead’s beginning.
Bison Gulch Trail
Difficulty: Hard
Distance: 7 miles
The Bison Gulch Trail offers the best of Denali National Park and is one of the best hiking trails in Alaska. This 7-mile out-and-back path gains an elevation of 4,000 feet, making this route a difficult one. Along this journey, marvel at the alpine tundra, steep river canyons, glacial lakes, and rugged terrain along Mt. Healy.
The wind can be extreme on the summit ridge of this mountain, so be sure to bring a windbreaker and extra layers. Most hikers don’t make it to this point in the journey, so if you plan on reaching the mountaintop, start your hike early in the day.
Saddlebag Glacier Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6 miles
Located in the Chugach National Forest, Saddlebag Glacier Trail is an ideal route for those who want a long, beautiful hike without a steep incline or tough climb. Spanning 6 miles round-trip, this out-and-back trail leads through spruce and cottonwood trees, eventually ending at Saddlebag Lake, where you will see Saddlebag Glacier at the far end of the lake.
If you love crossing log bridges, hiking through the woods, or marveling at glacial valleys and bright blue lakes, you will love this incredible Alaska hike.
Have you ever been hiking in Alaska? Let me know your favorite trail in the comments!
Like this post? Save it for later!
Want more information on Alaska? Check out these articles:
