Alaska
The untamed last frontier. While visiting Denali National Park is on many traveler's bucket list, and while it's well worth the trip there's no reason to stop there. Alaska is chock full of hiking, backpacking, packrafting, kayaking, rafting and more. It's truly difficult to put into words the scale and magnificence of an untamed Alaskan landscape -- you'll just have to see for yourself.
Top Spots in and near Alaska
-
Juneau, Alaska
Hike the Mendenhall Glacier
4.88 miThe Mendenhall Glacier, formerly known as Sitaantaagu ("the Glacier Behind the Town"), is a 12 mile long glacier about 12 miles outside Alaska’s capital Juneau. A quick drive from downtown Juneau to the ‘trailhead’ parking lot finds you overlooking the nearly half a mile wide face of the glacier....Read more -
Anchorage, Alaska
Hike the South Fork Valley Trail, AK
5.0The trail head starts out with a small climb but levels out shortly. The trail winds through forest at first, then opens up to beautiful Alaskan landscape. You cross a few bridges over small streams and rivers and hike by some turquoise ponds, then eventually come to a boulder field. It is about ...Read more -
Seward, Alaska
Backpack the Caines Head Coastal Trail
4.37 mi / 650 ft gainThis hike begins near a family friendly visiting area, good bathrooms, and well kept parking lot. You will start out on a gravel path, which seems like it was created for horses, for about 1.5 miles until the path opens up to views of the ocean, mountains, and a bridge leading you over a river an...Read more -
Healy, Alaska
Igloo Mountain Summit
2.26 mi / 1634 ft gainMake no mistake, this is a unkempt, social trail. Starting at the base of the mountain at the McKinley Park Road sign for Big Creek/Igloo Mountain Campground, begin hiking northeast towards a faint social trail heading up the mountain. Once you reach the first false peak approximately 1/3 of your...Read more -
Cooper Landing, Alaska
Hike Skilak Lookout
5.05 mi / 900 ft gainThis was my very first afternoon in Alaska. By myself just meandering around the state by car with a map in my lap. Alaska - what a limitless place of adventure. For those who end up following me, I have a things for places with bodies of water surrounded by towering peaks - so off I was to find ...Read more -
Healy, Alaska
Horseshoe Lake Loop
5.02.45 mi / 499 ft gainHorseshoe Trail is located inside of Denali National Park in Alaska. This area provides a ton of lakes, open meadows, and free ranging wildlife, such as moose, grizzly bears, and caribou. Starting at the parking lot near the railroad tracks, you follow the tracks south until you see the Horsesho...Read more -
Anchorage, Alaska
Hike up Flattop Mountain
4.03.4 mi / 1300 ft gainThis moderate to difficult climb starts at 2200 feet and gets progressively difficult as you get closer to the top. It will cost $5(cash or card) to park at the Glen Alps Trailhead where you will find a set of well maintained trails accessing different parts of the valley including O'mally Peak.F...Read more -
Glacier View, Alaska
Hike Matanuska Glacier
4.8The glacier is adjacent to the Glenn Highway at milepost 101. Located about 93 miles northeast of Anchorage. There is a $20 entry fee where you can park your car and take a quick hike to the glacier. A campsite is located at the entrance if you care to stay overnight, but this can be done in an a...Read more -
Palmer, Alaska
Hike the Pioneer Ridge-Austin Helmers Trail
5.09 mi / 5000 ft gainStarting at less than 200ft above sea level, the trail starts off steep and never lets up. It climbs through forest until you are at about 2000ft. The trail gets muddy as the ground thaws and becomes very slick. The vegetation thins out as the elevation increases and the trail begins to cut back ...Read more -
Seward, Alaska
Kayak in Pedersen Lagoon
Hikers are used to being confined to hiking trails most of the time. Kayakers ... not so much.How you get to Pedersen Glacier is the part that requires the most planning. Chances are very good that you'll be in the town of Seward, Alaska, and will arrange for either a water taxi or a guided paddl...Read more -
Seward, Alaska
Climb Mount Alice
5.03 mi / 5265 ft gainThis hike starts at 0 feet elevation on the side of Resurrection Bay opposite of Seward. Travelling south from Anchorage, take a left turn onto Nash Road a couple of miles before getting into Seward itself. Follow Nash Road for a few miles, past campgrounds, etc. About a mile before reaching the ...Read more -
Healy, Alaska
Climb Sheep Ridge in Denali
3 mi / 1500 ft gainFrom the Toklat contact station walk east back across the bridge (crossing the river) and drop down onto the river bar heading north. Walk for about 75 yards north hugging the cliffs on the right. Eventually you will reach an area where the tundra comes all the way down to the river bar. This is ...Read more -
Anchorage, Alaska
Hike the Crow Pass National Historic Trail
4.022.6 mi / 3100 ft gainStarting at an elevation of 600 feet from the Eagle River Nature Center, the trail runs through the Eagle River Valley and climbs over Crow Pass to Girdwood.The trail follows the river for almost 12 miles before requiring a ford. Fords can be very dangerous and it is very important to understand ...Read more -
Anchorage, Alaska
Hike the Twin Peaks Trail
5.02.6 mi / 1800 ft gainThe lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountains that host a variety of interesting wildlife. If you look closely, it is not uncommon to see a Dall's sheep or two on the mountain side. At the western edge of the lake, you will find the parking lot and trailhead. There are picnic tables and a bathh...Read more -
Chitina, Alaska
Mountaineering on the Root Glacier
5.06 mi / 500 ft gainStarting in the town of Kennicott you'll hike on the trail leading north outside of the town for a mile and a half.The trail will end at the edge of the glacier and this is where you put on your crampons. I would also suggest putting on your crampons at the edge of the glacier and not while on it...Read more -
Anchorage, Alaska
Hike to Rabbit Lake & McHugh Peak
4.75 mi / 200 ft gainRabbit lake and McHugh peak easy way in trail starts at Canyon Road off DeArmoun. This road is still not completely paved and I recommend you drive slow. You must arrived early to obtain parking spots on the weekends otherwise you'll be fine. Parking is free. The change of elevation is minimum ye...Read more
