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Anchorage Trail System - Local Favorites

Enjoy some of the trail systems that Anchorage residents use year-round. Visit the 49threel.com and view a great podcast about how Anchorage is a top trail town! Visit the Vistior Information Centers for additional trail information and maps.

Tony Knowles Coastal Trail

Eleven-mile (17.6 km) trail that stretches along the city's scenic coastline from downtown, past Westchester Lagoon, to Kincaid Park - home to its own network of unpaved, wooded trails. Take in views of Sleeping Lady and Cook Inlet to the west, and the Chugach Range to the east. Bicycles rentals available from downtown vendors.

Flattop Mountain

Anchorage's most-popular day-hike, this 3,510-foot mountain with its characteristic plateau summit holds excitement for both the beginner and expert hiker. Although just 3 miles round-trip (4.8 km), the elevation gain is 1300 ft (396 m). Good views of Alaska Range, Cook Inlet, Turnagain Arm, and Anchorage. Follow signs for Chugach State Park from Upper Huffman Road to Glen Alps Road.

Kincaid Park

Accessible west on Raspberry Road or via the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, Kincaid Park has 43 miles (69 km) of maintained trails throughout 1,400 acres (566 hectare). Runners World picked this park as one of the country's top 50 running trails. Kincaid Park is one of only two Nordic ski areas in the U.S. certified for international 5K, 10K, 15K, and 30K competition.

Williwaw Valley

Scenic 14-mile round-trip hike. With emerald lakes shimmering in the shadow of Mount Williwaw (5,445 feet elevation), Dall sheep traversing the ridgetops and wildflowers wearing nature's cologne liberally, the Williwaw Lakes hike best represents Southcentral wilderness.

Accessed via the Glen Alps or Prospect Heights entrances to Chugach State Park, the trail gains 1,585 feet while running parallel to Middle Fork Campbell Creek. Expect to spend eight to 12 hours in a good pair of hiking boots, watch for moose and ptarmigan in the valley and remain self-sufficient. Plenty of campsites dot the Williwaw valley, and the hike works well as an overnighter.

Eagle River Nature Center

Gateway to Chugach State Park. Nature walks, self-guided hiking, as well as public use cabins and yurts available. To Echo Bend (easy), 3 miles (4.8 km); to Heritage Falls (easy, large falls across river), 4.5 miles (7.2 km); Twin Falls (moderate, stream crossings, beaver ponds, waterfalls), 9 miles (14.4 km). Follow the Glenn Highway and exit the first Eagle River exit to Eagle River Road.

Thunderbird Falls Trail

Just north of Eagle River, an easy, 1-mile (1.6 km) hike through rolling terrain and birch forest to the viewing platform of the 200-foot-high Thunderbird Falls. (An ice fall in winter.) Mile 25 Glenn Highway.

Turnagain Arm Trail

Once a telegraph line corridor and part of a mail route before Anchorage was a city, this trail is a pleasant amble along Turnagain Arm. Accessed via Potter Creek (Mile 115.1 Seward Highway), McHugh Creek (Mile 111.9), Rainbow (Mile 108.3) or Windy Corner (Mile 106.7), the Turnagain Trail traverse is 9. 4 miles one way.

Set aside five to eight hours while hiking up mild hills and across a plateau peppered with leafy trees and gurgling streams. Dall sheep and the occasional bear can be spotted along this sheltered trail, which has a high point of 900 feet and is excellent for novice hikers.

Tips and Guides

When hiking in and around Anchorage, be sure to pack appropriately for each hike. Weather patterns swing hard, and all water should be packed in or filtered. Include snacks and file a hike plan with a friend. Stay on the established trail to protect delicate vegetation, pack out what you pack in and respect private property.

Two books, 55 Ways to the Wilderness in Southcentral Alaska, and A Walk-About Guide to Alaska, Volume Two: The Chugach Mountains, are reliable references and provide solid information for local and visiting hikers.