The Ultimate Guide to the Savage Alpine Trail

Denali is no doubt a hiker’s park, and some of the best hikes in Denali National Park are my personal favorites. After staying in one of the excellent Denali hotels and trying out one of the fantastic Denali restaurants, the next thing you’ll want to do is hit the trails. The Savage Alpine Trail has a special place in my heart for its stunning vistas, opportunities for wildlife spotting, and experiencing its wild beauty. If you do plan on taking on this hike, keep in mind that it might rain, and having a jacket on hand is a necessity. Who knows? You might get a clear day and even have a chance to see Denali mountain!

Everything you need to know about the Savage Alpine Trail

Here’s everything you need to know about hiking the Savage Alpine Trail!

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Map of the Savage Alpine Trail

How long is the Savage Alpine Trail?

The Savage Alpine Trail in Denali is a 4-mile point-to-point trail that connects the Savage River to the Mountain Vista day-use area. The hike, which experiences a total elevation gain of 1,500 feet, takes about three hours to complete. There’s a free shuttle bus that you can utilize to return to your car at the end of the Savage Alpine Trail, or if you prefer, you can walk back along Denali Park Road. If you opt to walk back to your starting point, you should plan for an additional two-mile hike that takes about 40 minutes to complete.

How difficult is the Savage Alpine Trail?

The Savage Alpine Trail is generally considered to be a strenuous route, given its steep and significant elevation gains. For pretty much the entirety of the hike, you expect to encounter sharp ascents and descents along switchbacks that present grades of up to 25%. Overall, the trail experiences an elevation gain of 1,500 feet and reaches a high point of 4,150 feet above sea level. In addition to this, the Savage Alpine Trail is known to be a bit difficult to navigate as the terrain can be uneven and rocky at times. This is especially true during the off-season when ice and snow become an added challenge.

How do I get to the trailhead for the Savage Alpine Trail?

There are two trailheads that you can choose from on the Savage Alpine Trail – the Savage River Loop trailhead and the Savage Alpine trailhead. Both are located just off Denali Park Road, only a couple of miles away from each other.

You’ll find the Savage River trailhead next to the Savage River in Denali. This trailhead is located further down Denali Park Road, where it changes from a paved road into a dirt road. There’s a small paved parking lot here that you can utilize; however, it does tend to fill up quickly. If you arrive and this parking lot is full, you can either park on the side of the road or in the gravel parking lot across the street. Keep in mind that this is pretty deep into the park, so you’ll want to factor this in when choosing your Denali National Park hotels and where you want to stay.

Meanwhile, the Savage Alpine Trailhead is situated just down the road across the street from the Mountain Vista Picnic Area. You can park in the Mountain Vista parking lot, which offers ample parking, as well as restrooms and picnic tables. The Savage Alpine campsite is right near by and is one of the best places for Denali National Park camping.

I recommend looking into the Denali National Park shuttle as a way to get there. Not only does it take the stress off trying to find a parking spot, but sometimes it is required to take this method of transportation when there is road construction. Just make sure to plan your hike accordingly because you don’t want to end up missing the last shuttle and find yourself stuck in the Alaskan wilderness.

How to hike the Savage Alpine Trail

How you choose to hike the Savage Alpine Trail is entirely up to you and your personal preferences. Since it is a point-to-point trail, you’ll have the option to not only choose between trailheads, you’ll also get to decide if you’d like to hike the entire trail or simply go halfway and turn around. This is why it is one of the best things to do in Denali National Park!

For those who do opt to take on the full hike, you’ll have the additional option of choosing your getaway plan–you can either take the shuttle bus back to your starting point, walk back down Denali Park Road, or bring multiple cars and leave one at each trailhead (this is a great option if you’re hiking in a group). Some hikers even opt to take the shuttle bus or walk along Denali Park Road at the start of their hike, so they arrive back at their vehicles as soon as they finish hiking. There really is no right or wrong way to hike the Savage Alpine Trail; it just depends on your preferences – and maybe parking availability!

That being said, if you do plan to utilize the Savage River Shuttle, you’ll want to pay close attention to its schedule, as it does change throughout the year. Generally speaking, the shuttle is available from mid-May through mid-September and runs roughly every half hour or so. Operating times can vary, but during peak season, the bus is typically available between 6:10 am and 8:20 pm.

In terms of trailheads, you’ll have the option to start at either the Savage River Loop trailhead or the Savage Alpine trailhead. While the Savage River Loop trailhead is located near the Savage River in Alaska, the Savage Alpine trailhead lies across the street from the Mountain Vista Picnic Area. Both trailheads are situated along Denali Park Road and offer nearby parking.

If you opt to start at the Savage River Loop trailhead, your hike will begin with switchbacks that offer quite steep inclines. For many hikers, this is considered to be the most challenging part of the Savage Alpine Trail. If you’re not a fan of uphill climbs, it may be in your best interest to hike from the opposite direction, starting out at the Savage Alpine trailhead. This will allow you to hike down the switchbacks instead of up them. If you do start out at the Savage Alpine trailhead, you’ll also encounter a more gradual incline that may be easier for less experienced hikers.

Regardless of which trailhead you start out on, you’ll still have the opportunity to take in the same stunning vista of Denali National Park. There are two main lookout points situated towards the middle of the Savage Alpine Trail, both of which offer unbelievable views of Denali Mountain, Savage River, and the surrounding area. If you’re coming from the Savage River Loop trailhead, these lookouts lie approximately .7 and 1.7 miles into the hike. While those coming in the other direction, from the Savage Alpine trailhead, will find the lookouts 2.3 and 3.3 miles into the hike.

For those who plan to only hike the Savage Alpine Trail halfway, it’s generally recommended that you walk far enough to reach both lookouts so you’re able to get the most out of your visit. With that in mind, it’s most logical to begin your hike at the Savage River Loop trailhead since it is located closer to both lookouts.

Along the hike, you’ll also want to keep an eye out for wildlife. The Savage Alpine Trail is home to countless animals, including Dall sheep, moose, spruce grouse, caribou, arctic ground squirrels, as well as bears and wolves. As with any excursion into bear country, it’s important to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings in order to stay safe. If you can, bring along bear spray and make lots of noise to keep dangerous animals at bay.

Have you ever taken on the Savage Alpine Trail? Let me know in the comments!

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