top backpacking trips in alaska

9 Best Alaska Backpacking Trails To Thru-Hike

Looking for the best Alaska backpacking trips? Alaska has no shortage of amazing multi day backpacking trails to follow, especially thru-hikes.

Backpacking in Alaska can be an extremely fun and rewarding experience. You can choose to create your own path in the remote backcountry but there are plenty of established backpacking trails routes that won’t require any off-trail hiking.

Alaska long distance trails aren’t that long in comparison to other thru-hikes elsewhere. The longest fully established hiking trail in this list is only 39 miles long.

In this post, I’m going to share the best backpacking trails in Alaska and directions on how to get to each trail.

9 Best Alaska Backpacking Trips To Thru Hike

9. grace ridge trail, 1. resurrection pass trail.

Distance: 39 miles one-way Time: 3 to 5 days Elevation Gain: 2,200 feet Difficulty: Moderate

Resurrection Pass Trail is one of the best thru-hikes in Southcentral Alaska. This 39-mile long trail is well maintained and has a ton of campsites and cabins to stay in along the way.

You can complete this backpacking trip northbound from Cooper Landing to Hope or southbound from Hope to Cooper Landing.

The south trailhead in Cooper Landing is located 106 miles south of Anchorage and is best used from June to October. However, the trail is open year-round and a lot of people ski or bike to the public use cabins during the winter.

This trail also connects to Devils Pass Trail , which is another great option for backpacking.

Read the full trail guide: Backpacking Resurrection Pass Trail in Alaska

How to get to Resurrection Pass Trail South in Cooper Landing:

From Anchorage, head south on the Seward Highway and continue for 87 miles. Take a slight right onto the Sterling Highway. Continue for 16 miles through Cooper Landing. Resurrection Pass Trail South parking lot will be on your right.

2. Historic Chilkoot Trail

Distance: 33 miles one-way Time: 3 to 5 days Elevation Gain:  6,800 feet Difficulty: Difficult

The Chilkoot Trail is a 33-mile historic trail that starts in Dyea, Alaska, and ends in Lake Bennett, British Columbia, and each summer over 10,000 people hike some or all of it. 

Hikers set out to retrace the journey of gold rush stampeders and pass by artifacts left behind by gold rush stampeders. The hardest part of this trail is ascending the very steep gully, known as the “Golden Stairs.”

There are many designated campsites along the trail but you will need to acquire a permit to camp overnight as well as enter into the Canadian side of the trail.

The Chilkoot Trail is best hiked from June to August. You can access the trail from Skagway, which is a popular tourist and cruise-ship destination.

How to get to Chilkoot Trail in Dyea From Skagway:

From Skagway, head northwest on 5th Avenue toward State Street. Turn right onto State Street. Continue onto Alaska Route 98. Turn left onto Dyea Road. You’ll find a large overnight parking lot.

3. Bomber Traverse

Distance:  32 to 50 miles one-way Time: 3 to 5 days Difficulty: Difficult

The Bomber Traverse is a hut-to-hut backpacking trail in Hatcher Pass. This trail includes steep, loose boulder and scree slopes, and glaciers.

Part of the backpacking trail is established and the other part is not. Experienced hikers should be confident in bouldering, glacier crossings, and route finding.

In order to stay in the huts, you must be a member of the Mountaineering Club of Alaska .

How to get to Bomber Traverse:

You can start this trail from either the Reed Lakes or Gold Mint Trail parking areas. Depending on where you start the hike, you should leave another vehicle at the other parking area where you will end your hike.

4. K’esugi Ridge Trail

Distance: 29 miles one-way Time: 3 days Elevation Gain: 2,000 feet Difficulty: Moderate

K’esugi Ridge Trail is the best backpacking trail in Denali State Park. You will traverse miles of rolling alpine terrain with epic views of Denali.

This trail is best hiked between late June and mid-September. It’s also best to hike the trail from the north end at Little Coal Creek to the south end at Byers Lake Trailhead as the northern end of the trail is higher at 3,550 feet elevation.

How to get to K’esugi Ridge Trail in Denali State Park:

From Anchorage, head north on the Glenn Highway. Follow the Glenn Highway until Mile Post 163.9. Turn right towards the Little Coal Creek Trailhead parking lot.

5. Crow Pass Trail

Distance: 23.1 miles one-way Time: 2 days Elevation Gain: 2,100 feet Difficulty: Difficult

Crow Pass Trail is one of the most scenic and diverse trails in the Chugach Mountains . Crow Pass is best hiked from Girdwood to Eagle River because after the initial climb, it’s basically all downhill from there.

You’ll find a bit of everything on this trail including, glaciers, waterfalls, gorgers, valley views, and wildlife sightings, which definitely makes this one of the best Alaska backpacking trips.

Even though the mileage is shorter than other backpacking trails in Alaska , the river crossings and rope and ladder obstacles make this a difficult trip.

Crow Pass is one of the closest established backpacking trails near Anchorage, Alaska.

How to get to Crow Pass Trail in Girdwood:

From the Alyeska Highway, turn left onto Crow Creek Road. Crow Creek Road turns slightly left and becomes Pack Trail. You will find parking for Crow Pass Trail at the end of the road.

6. Johnson Pass Trail

Distance: 23 miles one-way Time: 2 days Elevation Gain:  1,000 feet Difficulty: Moderate

Johnson Pass Trail is a 23-mile well-maintained trail on the Kenai Peninsula. The views along the trail are incredible. From mountain vistas and bridge crossings to lakes and waterfalls, this trail has it all.

You’ll find designated campsites along the trail that have storage lockers and backcountry toilets. Keep in mind that this trail can get muddy, very overgrown, and mosquito heavy.

Johnson Pass is also a very popular mountain biking trail in Alaska and I think it’s a great way to complete this trail.

How to get to Johnson Pass Trail From Anchorage:

From Anchorage, head south on the Seward Highway. Follow the Seward Highway for 63 miles until you reach the Johnson Pass Trail North parking area.

7. Russian Lakes Trail

Distance: 21.8 miles one-way Time: 2 days Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet Difficulty: Easy

Russian Lakes Trail is a hut-to-hut backpacking trail near Cooper Landing. This trail has 3 public use cabins and 7 designated campsites.

Highlights along the trail include Russian River Falls, Lower Russian Lake, and Upper Russian Lake.

I will mention that this trail is very bear-y! I’ve never seen so much bear scat on a trail in my entire outdoorsy life in Alaska.

On top of that, the trail can be very overgrown, which makes it super intimidating.

How to get to Russian Lakes Trail from Anchorage:

From Anchorage, head south on the Seward Highway and continue for 87 miles. Take a slight right onto the Sterling Highway. Continue for 15 miles through Cooper Landing. Turn left onto Russian River Campground Road. Follow for one mile until you reach the trailhead parking.

8. Lost Lake Trail

Distance: 16 miles one-way Time: 2 days Elevation Gain: 2,000 feet Difficulty: Moderate

Lost Lake Trail near Seward is an incredibly scenic route, especially on a bluebird day. The trail follows an alpine ridge full of lakes and vistas. You can either start from the Lost Lake side or the Primrose side.

You’ll start off in the rainforest and gradually climb above the treeline to open landscapes. You can see everything from lakes and waterfalls to glaciers.

Lost Lake Trail is another popular mountain biking trail in Alaska (bike northbound). It’s best used from June to September but you should check conditions because the trail may still be covered in snow.

How to get to Lost Lake Trail in Seward:

From Anchorage, head south on the Seward Highway and stay left towards Seward. Turn right onto Scott Way which turns into Rough Drive. Turn left onto Heather Lee Lane. Turn right onto Hayden Lane. Continue to the Lost Lake Trailhead.

Distance: 9 miles one-way Time: 2 days Elevation Gain:  3,100 feet Difficulty: Moderate

Although it’s the shortest thru-hike in Alaska, Grace Ridge Trail is one of my favorites. It’s easy enough to complete this trail in one day but there are some amazing ways to turn your day hike into an overnight adventure.

The main reason I love this trail is because of the epic views. You’ll be rewarded with 360-degree summit views of the surrounding mountains, fjords, and islands in Kachemak Bay.

The location of this hiking trail is also a treat. You can only access the trail by taking a water taxi from Homer, which is a really fun change.

Read the full trail guide: Hike Grace Ridge Trail in Kachemak Bay

How to get to Grace Ridge Trail from Homer:

The only way to get to Grace Ridge from Homer is by water taxi. Two companies on the Homer Spit that offer roundtrip services to Grace Ridge: Coldwater Alaska and Mako’s Water Taxi .

Happy backpacking!

Other Thru Hikes in Alaska

Other thru-hikes you can find around Alaska are Ship Creek to Indian Valley , Crescent Lake to Carter Lake , Seven Pass Route in Wrangell St. Elias National Park, and Mt. Eielson Loop in Denali National Park, which is one of the only established backpacking loop trails in Alaska.

Answering Your Questions

What is a thru hike.

A thru hike means to hike an established end-to-end or long-distance trail heading in one direction.

What is the longest hiking trail in Alaska?

Currently, the longest established hiking trail in Alaska is Resurrection Pass Trail. This trail is 39 miles long.

The Southern Trek of the Iditarod National Historic Trail (INHT) would be the longest but it’s only partially completed at 120 miles.

There is also a proposal to build a 500-mile trail from Seward to Fairbanks called the Alaska Long Trail .

What do you need for a 4 day backpacking trip?

If you are planning a 4 day backpacking trip, you will need the right backpacking gear. Check out my 4 day backpacking checklist to get started.

Do I need bear spray in Alaska?

Yes, you will need to carry bear spray in Alaska. There are bears everywhere and it’s best to be prepared.

Backpacking Resurrection Pass Trail in Alaska

4 Day Backpacking Checklist

Everything I Ate Backpacking

Alaska Travel Guide

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Do you have any questions about the best Alaska backpacking trips? Leave them in the comments.

About Andrea Kuuipo

I was born and raised in Anchorage and have been able to travel to many places around Alaska. As an Alaska Travel Blogger, I love sharing my favorite things to see and do in my home state to help others plan an incredible trip!

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Denali National Park and Preserve

“The” mountain. To those who have hiked or dream of hiking in Alaska’s 6-million-acre Denali National Park, 20,320-foot Mt. McKinley is “the” mountain. Though the park boasts many wonders-wolves, grizzlies, 430 species of flowering plants, glaciers, tundra-the mountain will most capture your imagination. The hiking opportunities are endless but the backcountry permit system can be complicated. Do your homework, apply early, and be open to options.

Contact: Denali National Park and Preserve, (907) 683-2294; www.nps.gov/dena .

Chilkoot Trail

Once known as “the meanest 33 miles in history,” the Chilkoot Trail remains a tough hike and a walk back in time. Look for Gold Rush relics along the trail and gold nuggets in the creeks. Or find your own treasure among the craggy mountain peaks and endless waterfalls.

Contact: Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, (907) 983-2921; www.nps.gov/klgo .

Chugach National Forest

Often overshadowed by its larger and more controversial cousin, Tongass National Forest, the 5.6-million-acre Chugach is 98 percent roadless and just as wild. Migrate there during spring with millions of shorebirds by walking the 70-mile Resurrection Trail system, or set up a basecamp at one of more than 40 public-use cabins.

Contact: Chugach National Forest, (907) 271-2500; www.fs.fed.us/r10/chugach .

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The 7 Best Trails for Backpacking and Hiking in Alaska

Table of contents.

Alaska is massive. At more than 660,000 square miles, it’s nearly one-third the size of the contiguous 48 states. It accounts for two-thirds of the country’s national parklands, about 80% of wildlife refuges and is home to the two largest national forests. I was fortunate enough to spend nearly four years here.  That’s not nearly enough time to see it all, but it gave me a pretty good idea of what the 49 th state has to offer. I’m happy to be able to share some of the best trails for hiking in Alaska!

A brief overview of Alaska: the Last Frontier for hiking

Outside of hiking in San Diego or exploring the wondrous trails of Colorado , few other places offer such a diverse setting as Alaska. In the remote corners of the north lies the Arctic tundra. Transitional and boreal forests spread across the state’s south central and interior area.

The southeast is the wild kingdom of fjords and old-growth temperate rainforests. Kayaking through Prince William Sound lets you see the tidewater glaciers descend right into the water, and with the relatively low tree lines, you can even enjoy alpine hiking without gaining too much elevation.

Why hiking and backpacking is the best way to see Alaska 

Alaska might seem like a place only for the daring. While opportunities abound for backcountry wilderness adventure, you can also find easy day hikes on well-prepared trails. With hundreds of options at your disposal and plenty more treasures off the beaten beath, every kind of hiker, regardless of fitness level, gear, and experience, can find a way to enjoy these stellar hiking tours .

If you’re planning a visit to the largest state and one of the best hiking destinations in US, whose adventures rival even the best hikes in Washington , be sure to set aside enough time to explore parts of the Last Frontier you won’t see from a tour bus or cruise ship.

1. Chilkoot Trail, Skagway

Starting in the coastal lowlands near Skagway and ending at the shores of Bennett Lake in British Columbia, the Chilkoot Trail follows the route of the 1897-1899 Klondike Gold Rush. The only long-distance traverse in southeast Alaska, the trail passes through a coastal rainforest, high-mountain basins, and alpine terrain with views above treeline. 

Along the way, you’ll see relics from the gold-rush era when prospectors had to ferry a year’s worth of provisions across the pass. You’ll need camping gear and food for a few days for this Skagway hike, along with warm layers and rain-appropriate clothes. The weather can change in a snap. There are designated places to camp with separate cook shelters and caches to keep your food safe from bears.

What to expect on the popular multi-day Skagway trail

This is one of the most regulated trails in Alaska. You’ll need to secure a permit (a certain amount is set aside each day for walk-ins, but most are for reservations). Chilkoot Trail also crosses an international boundary, so you’ll want to be up to date on the current requirements for checking in with either Canadian or U.S. customs, depending on which direction you go. The trail is also rather popular. Despite the permit requirements, you’re not likely to have it to yourself, especially during peak season. On the other hand, it’s a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow hikers from around the world.

1. Chilkoot Trail, Skagway - Good to Know

Developed trail with some boulder hopping

3-5 days for trekking the full distance

South end: 9 miles from downtown Skagway; North end: Lake Bennet train station (not accessible by road) or Log Cabin on the Klondike Highway 5 miles past the Canadian Customs station.

Late June to mid-September

Consider taking the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway between Skagway and the northern end of the trail

Plan your visit with info from the National Parks Service and Parks Canada

2. Exit Glacier/Harding Icefield, Seward

The Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield hikes give adventurers of all ability (and ambition) a few different choices to see one of Alaska’s most easily-reached glaciers. You’ll also get to experience the Kenai Fjords National Park. The two trails also share a trailhead at the Exit Glacier Nature Center. The Glacier View Loop trail is a fully accessible, paved trail featuring views of the glacier’s face and outwash plain. The short Edge of the Glacier overlook trail features steps to help negotiate a brief climb to a vantage point above the foot of the glacier. It’s a brilliant opportunity to see how a forest develops as a glacier recedes. Signposts along the access road and the trail show just how far the ice used to extend.

Head to Harding Icefield for views of surrounding peaks and fjords

If you’re an ambitious hiker, you can make a day out of it and follow the switchbacks up to Harding Icefield . This 500-square-mile frozen mass feeds almost three dozen glaciers, including Exit. The trail is well developed but steep with nearly 3,000 feet of elevation gain. After climbing above the forest and through the low brush and alpine meadows, the trail gets rocky. The view out over the expanse of ice and the jagged gray peaks surrounding it is worth the effort – even if it’s cloudy like it was for our visit.

2. Exit Glacier/Harding Icefield, Seward - Good to Know

Exit Glacier – choice of trails up to 1 mile long; Harding Icefield – 4 miles one way

Exit Glacier – easy; Harding Icefield – strenuous

Accessible/developed trail with some rocky sections near the icefield

Up to 4 hours, depending on fitness level

11 miles from downtown Seward in Kenai Fjords National Park

May to September

Seward is also a great place to take a sightseeing cruise or sea-fishing charter

Plan your visit to Exit Glacier

Plan your visit to Harding Icefield

3. Reed Lakes, Anchorage/Wasilla

The Reed Lakes Trail  is one of the most popular trails in the Hatcher Pass Management Area, and possibly one of the most popular hiking trails in Anchorage. The trail gives you a sample of interior Alaska hiking terrain only 1.5 hours from Anchorage (and even closer to Palmer and Wasilla). I tried to visit as many different trails as I could when I lived in the state, but this is one of the few I made a point to visit again. 

Reed Lakes trail starts relatively flat and clearly defined for the first 1.5 miles or so. As the climb begins to get steeper, the trail gets more rugged. You’ll encounter a couple of stretches of boulder travel that would be a challenge for smaller children and some dogs. If you’re like me, though, you’ll think it’s all worth it when you catch sight of the lower lake glowing like a turquoise jewel. The meadows around the lower lake are also popular for camping, which often leads to unexpected crowds, evoking the best Joshua Tree hikes .

Hike to Upper Reed Lake to see an abandoned plane wreckage

The trail continues, passing cascading waterfalls that feed the lower lake from the upper one. If it’s early enough in the day, and you can manage the steep ascent through rock and scree, you can continue up past the upper lake. Here you’ll find the wreckage of an Air Force bomber that crashed in the 1950s on aptly-named Bomber Glacier. Some people make this Anchorage hiking trail part of a multi-day traverse that includes the Gold Mint Trail the next valley over. This involves stretches of ice travel that should only be attempted by people with the proper training and equipment. 

When I lived in Anchorage, Hatcher Pass was one of my favorite places to go. And Reed Lakes was one of my favorite parts of Hatcher Pass.

3. Reed Lakes, Anchorage/Wasilla - Good to Know

3 miles to Lower Reed Lake, 4 miles to Upper Reed Lake

Moderate, with some boulder hopping

Forest, brush, alpine meadows and lakefront

Archangel Road, Hatcher Pass (19 miles from Palmer, 60 miles from Anchorage)

June to September

Nearby Independence Mine State Historical Park offers a fascinating and photogenic look at the area’s past with grooming for Nordic skiing in the winter. 

Plan your visit to Reed Lakes/Hatcher Pass

4. West Glacier Trail, Juneau

If you want to get close to a glacier but can’t fit Seward into your itinerary, Mendenhall Glacier is practically in Juneau’s backyard. The trailhead is minutes away from downtown’s cruise ship terminals, the airport and the state ferry dock. There’s even a city bus stop a mile from the trailhead!

This Juneau hiking trail starts well-defined and not particularly steep with only 250 feet of elevation gain in the one mile it takes to get to the first overlook. Here, you get a beautiful view of the glacier and lake at its base, as well as Nugget Creek Falls on the far side. The first section of the trail is an excellent option for those short on time or not interested in the steeper climb later on. 

Continue hiking to take in views of Mendenhall Glacier 

If you keep following the West Glacier Trail path, you’ll eventually climb out of the young forest and find yourself following cairns across bare rock. After cresting a rock shoulder, you come right to the edge of the glacier.  When we did this Juneau hiking trip, the air noticeably cooled as we neared the ice. We appreciated the temperature dip as it was a warm afternoon for late May!

You can get right up to the ice and take in the varying shades of white and blue. Keep in mind, extended travel on the glacier is for those with the proper experience (or guides!) and equipment.  Commercial outfits in Juneau offer guided glacier explorations and even the chance to explore ice caves within the glacier!

This hike is worth the trek to the top for the incredible views of the Mendenhall Glacier — a seemingly endless ocean of vibrant blue ice.

trektheusa | How to Find the M...

4. West Glacier Trail, Juneau - Good to Know

3.4 miles one way

Moderate (mainly due to the incline at the end)

Developed trail through forest brush, then bare rock

4-6 hours round trip

About 1 mile from Mendenhall Loop Road and Montana Creek Road, just past the Mendenhall Campgrounds

Mid-May through September

There are shorter and easier hikes on the east side of the lake near the national forest visitor’s center. They also offer a view of the glacier, but don’t get as close to it.

Plan your visit to West Glacier Trail

5. Deer Mountain, Ketchikan

Deer Mountain is a popular Ketchikan hiking trail for locals but not as well known outside Alaska as the Chilkoot Trail. Although it lacks Chilkoot’s historical legacy, the Deer Mountain Trail offers fantastic views of the islands, fjords, and channels that make up southeast Alaska. Like many of Alaska’s trails, you’ll get to experience forests, climb through meadows and alpine basins, and hike past mountains that hold snow well into the summer.

Traverse Deer Mountain trail for a variety of views and alpine

The Deer Mountain Trail starts steep shortly after leaving the parking area. You happen upon viewpoints at both the one- and two-mile marks. At 2.5 miles, a short spur runs up to the top of Deer Mountain itself. The main trail continues past a shelter available for camping on a first-come, first-served basis. You can also take shelter at Blue Lake, and the basin between Mahoney and John Mountains is suitable for tent camping. You can also find plenty of water along the way, as long as you filter or treat it first.

If you traverse the entirety of this Ketchikan hiking tour, you’ll be crossing the mountainous spine of Revillagigedo Island. Here winter comes early and stays late. You might want to consider having an ice ax with you, even in the summer. If the weather or snow conditions seem questionable, play it safe and turn back at Blue Lake

No other trail in this region offers such dramatic views of surrounding islands, the ‘First City’ itself, and alpine lakes, than Deer Mountain.

Deer Mountain to Silvis Lakes T...

5. Deer Mountain, Ketchikan - Good to Know

2.5 miles to Deer Mountain, 4.5 miles to Blue Lake, 12.5 miles for the full traverse

Developed trail as far as Deer Mountain, then rough alpine footpath

Half day to Deer Mountain; long day hike to Blue Lake; usually 2-3 days for the full traverse

1 mile southeast of downtown Ketchikan. Start on Steadman Street and follow the signs.

June through September

This is one of the wettest areas in Southeastern Alaska. Even if it’s sunny when you start, make sure you take rain gear!

Plan your Deer Mountain hike

6. Eielson Alpine Trail, Denali National Park

Spanning a staggering 6-million acres, Denali National Park and Preserve offers an entire world of hiking opportunities all by itself. You won’t follow many established trails, though, which is a conscious decision by park management to preserve as much wilderness for visitors as possible. For many who enjoy backpacking in Denali , this is the biggest draw.

Fortunately, however, for those who aren’t quite ready for route finding and unprepared surfaces, you can explore a handful of Denali hiking trails marked for ease of use, like the beautiful area around Savage River . Most are near the park entrance, but you can find a few marked trails farther inside the park. 

Getting deeper into the park requires riding one of the busses. Limited vehicle traffic is also part of the effort to minimize human impact. 

Hike the steep face of Thoro Ridge to gain impressive views of Denali

By the time you reach the Eielson Visitor’s Center, you might be ready to stretch your legs a bit, and the Eielson Alpine Trail will do the trick! Even when clouds obscure Denali itself – which was the case for us – the view across the valleys to the west is panoramic. 

It’s a short but steep trail, climbing the ridge across the Park Road from the Visitor’s Center in a series of switchbacks. When we embarked on our Denali National Park hiking trip , marmots seemed quite fascinated with watching humans make their way up and quite happy to pose for pictures. The ridge is broad where the trail reaches the top, and you can easily walk a bit west and take in the expansive valley to the north. This view of Mount Galen and the distant hills is completely hidden from those who never stray from the busses. 

Most people return the way they came, though you could continue west and descend back to the highway about a mile or so west of the Visitor’s Center. More ambitious hikers could head east and make the steep trek up 5,629-foot to Thoro Peak. You won’t regret taking more time for hiking in Denali . 

Even when clouds obscure Denali itself – which was the case for us – the view across the valleys to the west is panoramic.

Denali National Park (ALASKA) /...

6. Eielson Alpine Trail, Denali National Park - Good to Know

1.75 miles round trip

Moderate (steep)

Developed trail through low brush and alpine meadow

Across the Park Road from Eielson Visitor Center, about 4 hours from the entrance

June through mid-September

Leave time to enjoy the Visitor Center and some of the other short trails; off-trail hiking is also welcome

Get started at the Eielson Visitor Center and plan your hike from there

Hiking in Denali National Park

7. Flattop Mountain, Anchorage

Flattop was one of the first hikes I did after moving to Anchorage. The Glen Alps Trailhead is right at the edge of town and easy to reach. You could even take a taxi or Uber if you happen to be in town without a rental car. Flattop Trail is short enough to enjoy time in nature without investing an entire day. The views of the water, mountains, and skyline are more than worth the minimal effort to reach this Anchorage hiking trail. On a clear day, you can even see Denali in the distance, where adventurers are probably attempting the West Buttress climb .

Climbing the popular but worthwhile Flattop Trail

The Flattop trail is a well developed and easy to follow Anchorage hike. Most of the hike is relatively easy, aside from a steep final pitch that’ll get your heart rate up. The last climb is on a north-facing aspect and can retain snow well into summer, which can make things slippery. When I went on a late May afternoon, I found hard-packed steps in the snow left by an endless stream of previous hikers. The top is a broad flat expanse (hence the name) where you can also camp overnight. Flattop is also the site of an annual summer solstice celebration where hikers get to take advantage of almost 20 hours of daylight. 

Hikers with an appetite for more hikes near Anchorage can follow the ridge to the southeast to bag two more peaks. Here you’ll find the less creatively named Peak 2 and Peak 3 in the front range of the Chugach mountains. 

Flattop trail is short enough to enjoy time in nature without investing an entire day. The views of the water, mountains, and skyline are more than worth the minimal effort.

Hiking Flattop -- Anchorage, Al...

7. Flattop Mountain, Anchorage - Good to Know

1.7 miles one way

Developed and well-marked trail

Glen Alps Trailhead in south Anchorage

May through September

Blueberry Loop offers a shorter hike without the climb at the end; on the north side of the trailhead parking lot an accessible paved trail provides a panoramic viewpoint for those who don’t want  – or can’t – hike to the mountain

Plan your Flattop hike

8. My Advice for Planning Your Alaska Hiking or Backpacking Trip

When is the best time to hike in alaska.

Alaskans, or at least some that work in outdoor equipment stores, offer similar logic as fellow locals in cold, damp climates: There’s no such thing as bad weather, only poor preparation. Even though you could explore many of the trails listed here in snowshoes in the wintertime, most people will prefer to hike them in the summer. Daylight lasts longer in the summer, so you won’t get caught in the dark and many of these areas are prone to avalanche with winter snows. 

Because of the latitude and elevations involved, you might still encounter snow on some of these trails as late as June or July. It’s never a bad idea to check on conditions for each location before setting out.

Permits and fees

Fees involved vary depending on the agency managing the trail. Chilkoot Trail is the only Alaska hiking trail I feature in this article that requires a permit. You can visit the rest by paying modest parking or park entrance fees. Some even offer free entry! 

Overnight camping rules 

Rules for camping also vary depending on the agency, so it’s best to check ahead if you think your trip might involve overnight camping. National parks tend to have more restrictions. Chilkoot Trail only allows camping at designated spots, and Denali has regulations governing how far from the road to make camp.  State-managed lands tend to be more permissive. You can pitch your tent right on top of Flattop, for example.

Safety tips for encountering wildlife while hiking 

Alaska isn’t necessarily a dangerous place to explore, but backpack through the remote corners of Denali or take a tour of Lake Clark National Park and you’ll immediately understand how wild vast portions of it are. This is all bear country. If you’re in a wooded area where you can’t see very far ahead, make noise to prevent any surprise encounters. Consider hiking in a group, which deters aggressive bears, and carrying bear spray—just make sure you know how to use it safely.

Also, be prepared to encounter moose along the trail. They are known to be aggressive, and a mother moose with calves to protect is the most dangerous. Despite their beauty, they’re best viewed from a distance and aren’t tolerable of close-up photo ops. If you find one enjoying lunch in the middle of the trail (which happened to me!), it’s best to turn back or wait for the animal to go on about its business. Again, be aware and cautious when it comes to wildlife on the trail. 

Do your research or hire a guide before hiking in Alaska

Alaska’s rough terrain can pose its own risk, so if you’re not accustomed to the outdoors, make sure to check out our essential tips for beginner hikers . Many of these trails involve stretches of bare rock, which can be slippery during and after rain. Boots with good tread are in order and trekking poles can help you keep your balance. Pack for weather events and bring a GPS, especially if you’re headed into remote areas. And regardless of the terrain or weather, make sure someone knows where you’re going and when you expect to be back.

Check out some other National Parks hikes

Looking to cross some more big names off your bucket list? Try the best hikes in Yellowstone for geothermal wonders and extraordinary wildlife. The best hikes in Grand Teton will have you exploring the largest intact ecosystem in the Lower 48, while the hikes in Yosemite promise larger-than-life adventures among granite monoliths, towering sequoias, and waterfall-filled valleys.

Karl is an adventurer and outdoor enthusiast living in the Pacific Northwest, where he enjoys alpine skiing, hiking, road biking, and camping. He’s been skiing for more than 35 years, mainly in the Cascades, Sierra Nevada, and Alaska. He’s camped under Alaska’s midnight sun, toured Washington’s San Juan Islands on bicycle, and his hiking adventures have taken him from the foothills of Denali and the glaciers of Alaska to Mount Adams in the Cascades and the high deserts of the Great Basin.

Read reviews of similar trips

11 of the best (and most photo-worthy) day hikes in yellowstone park, road tripping the best national parks for hiking in the usa, the best hiking destinations worldwide.

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Alaska Backpacking Trips

Thoroughly curated, meticulously planned, and expertly guided.

Since our humble beginnings in the late 90’s, Alaska Alpine Adventures has been guiding Alaska Backpacking trips across the last frontier.  Backpacking continues to be one of our most popular activities, and is one of the best, and certainly most authentic, ways to see the unexplored Alaska.  Set yourself on a ridge top and survey the remote majesty of Alaska’s unclimbed peaks, clear streams, verdant tundra, cobalt lakes, and massive glaciers.  We have itineraries for experienced backpackers, aspiring mountaineers, and even for those who have never backpacked before.  We pioneered many of our award-winning backpacking treks, some of which are now considered Alaska classics!

Seek the challenge and savor the wonder – join us for the Alaska backpacking trek of a lifetime.  Most of our Alaska backpacking trips are limited to 8-guests, while our trips into the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge are limited to even fewer at 5-guests.  And with a guest to guide ratio of 4:1 paired with a 24-hour emergency response network, you can rest assured that our commitment to risk management and safety-conscious operations is held to high standards.

Backpacking through the most remote wilderness areas of Alaska can be extremely challenging and, at times, humbling.  These are just a few of the many reasons why people coming to Alaska to backpack often choose to be guided by us.

Turquoise Glacier High Route – Lake Clark National Park

Oolah Valley High Route – Gates of the Arctic National Park

Turquoise to Twin Traverse – Lake Clark National Park

Backpacking Katmai – Katmai & Lake Clark National Parks

Backpacking Denali National Park – 7 Day

Backpacking Denali National Park – 10 Day

Arrigetch-Alatna Pack Raft – Gates of the Arctic National Park

Backpacking the Arrigetch Peaks – Gates of the Arctic National Park

Backpacking ANWR – Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

The Valley Experience – Katmai National Park

Backpacking the Revelation Mountains – Lake Clark National Park

Backpacking the Ring of Fire – Aniakchak National Monument

Backpacking Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Neacola High Route – Lake Clark National Park

Backpacking the Talkeetna Mountains

Exploring the Northern Revelation Mountains – Lake Clark National Park

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Where will you

Weekend getaways, week-long adventures, gritty expeditions, backpacking in alaska: america's untamed wilderness, endless wilderness meets endless days (or nights, depending on the season) in alaska’s great outdoors, a remote landscape filled with incredible backpacking and hiking trails. glaciers, mountains, fjords, and rainforests await find your next trip with our guide for the best backpacking locations in alaska, organized by weekend getaways, week-long adventures and gritty expeditions., *our information may not always be current and should be used for trip planning / selection purposes only. always call ahead for the most current information before setting out on your trip., weekend getaways.

Caines Head State Recreation Area/ Lowell Point State Recreation Site

Number of Miles of Trail: 14

Group Size Limit: 19

Best For: 1 night 

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

Hatcher Pass East Management Area

Number of Miles of Trail: 29

Group Size Limit: 10

Best For: 1-3 nights 

Shuyak Island State Park

Number of Miles of Trail: 15

Kachemak Bay State Park & Wilderness Park

Number of Miles of Trail: 58

Best For: 1-7 nights 

Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park

Number of Miles of Trail: 33

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-4 nights 

Permit/Reservation: Required 

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Number of Miles of Trail: 19.6 million acres

Group Size Limit: N/A

Best For: 1-∞ nights 

Permit/Reservation: Not required

Chena River State Recreation Area

Number of Miles of Trail: 164

Group Size Limit: 20

Best For: 1-9 nights 

Chugach National Forest

Number of Miles of Trail: 500+

Chugach State Park

Number of Miles of Trail: 280+

Best For: 1-10 nights (hard limit)

Denali National Park and Preserve

Number of Miles of Trail: 6 million acres

Group Size Limit: 6

Best For: 1-30 nights (hard limit)

Denali State Park

Number of Miles of Trail: 74

Best For: 1-10 nights 

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

Number of Miles of Trail: 3.3 million acres

Permit/Reservation: Required

Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge

Number of Miles of Trail: 1.6 million acres

Katmai National Park and Preserve

Number of Miles of Trail: 4 million acres 

Best For: 1-13 nights (hard limit)

Kenai National Wildlife Refuge

Number of Miles of Trail: 110+

Kobuk Valley National Park

Number of Miles of Trail: 1.75 million acres

Group Size Limit: 11

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve

Number of Miles of Trail: 4 million acres

Togiak National Wildlife Refuge

Number of Miles of Trail: 4.3 million acres 

Tongass National Forest

Number of Miles of Trail: 700+

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve

Number of Miles of Trail: 13

million acres

Group Size Limit: 8

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Backpacking in alaska.

NPS / T. Vaughn

Hiking in a Remote Landscape

Backcountry Logistics

Food and Gear Prep: Planning is essential in Alaska, especially when fly-in backpacking. When landing in a remote area, there may not be groceries, gear or trash facilities available. You will want to have all you need ready for hiking and dispose of any trash before you load your plane or other mode of transport. You are dependent on your own resources here. Always pack plenty of food and fuel and carry emergency food rations. Come prepared with proper equipment and clothing, including weather-resistant outerwear, thermal layers and quality rain gear. You must be ready for changing weather conditions, as they often shift rapidly. Bear resistant containers are required in most areas. Bear spray and electric bear fences are effective deterrents. If you'll be carrying these with you, it's a good idea to practice their use before you leave for your trip.

Backcountry Electronics: Batteries for electronic devices often lose charge in the cold (even in summer), so bring a battery back-up or more batteries than you think you will need. It is highly unlikely there will be a place to charge your devices once you leave a big city or village. When hiking, it can be helpful to keep your batteries in a pocket on an inside layer; this will use your body heat to keep them warm for longer periods than inside your pack.

Trip Planning: Alaskan terrain is complex, often challenging, and ever-changing. For these reasons you may not hike as fast as you normally would on a trail or other cross-country routes in the Lower 48. As you plan your trip, always add more days than you may need, especially in the case that you or your scheduled pick-up does not arrive due to weather or high river levels.

Trip planning should not be measured by “miles per day” but rather with a “you get where you get” mentality. When hiking in a landscape that is unpredictable, it is best to go with the flow, have many options for potential campsites and try to not have a required daily end point. Give yourself room to relax, have fun, move around wildlife and make safe decisions.

Terrain and Vegetation

There are various terrain types in Alaska’s trail-less wilderness. Plan on covering roughly one mile per hour to allow for errors in navigation, route selection and tough going. Vegetation types can dictate the difficulty of hiking and can affect how many miles you may be able to go in a day. If you're not familiar with Alaskan terrain, be prepared to turn back and try a different routes. Give yourself plenty of time to get where you're going. You may encounter the following:

Steep scree slopes with loose, sharp rocks.

Wet, muddy bogs where feet can sink into the ground up to your knees. This is often very slow hiking, usually found in low lying areas and very buggy.

Tussocks, brushy and lumpy areas with uneven terrain and “ankle busting” hopping from one frost heave to the next.

Tundra, with ankle to knee-high brush, generally more “easy going” for Alaska.

Dense brush, with expert-level bushwacking. Thick, waist-to-overhead height alders and willows. This can be very frustrating and slow going for long periods. Bushwhacking is often unavoidable and requires both practice and patience. Willow and alder habitats can drastically impact your speed. When traveling through willow habitats be cautious of objects or gear hanging from your pack, stow away trekking poles.

Fast and cold glacial waterways that must be forded by foot or packraft. Often their depth is obscured by glacial sediment.

Long stretches of exposed coastline. Be sure to consult tide tables and know whether the tide is rising or falling. If you are planning to hike along coastlines, you may have to hike when the tide is low. Be aware of changing tides and routes that may be impassable, either because large mudflats or high water.

NPS / A. Lindholm

NPS / Lake Clark NP&P

Where the Wild Things Are

It takes everyone, cold, swift, remote.

Daylight: You may have heard of Alaska as the Land of the Midnight Sun and in the summer, it truly is! During the summertime, there is much more daylight for hiking. On the longest day of the year, Alaska may have approximately 14-24 hours of sunlight. During the spring and fall, areas can lose several minutes of light per day. Winter days are significantly shorter, with the shortest day having approximately 0-5 hours of sunlight. Be mindful that the actual amount of daylight varies with surrounding mountains. In areas with tall mountains, it is often dark well before sunset and remains dark until well after sunrise. If you'll be hiking in spring, fall, or winter, don't forget your headlamp! Mosquitos/biting insects: Mosquitos and other biting insects are common in Alaska. Be prepared with bug repellent and bug nets or use hats, long sleeve shirts and pants as a physical barrier to keep insects away from your skin.

NPS / A. Kirby

Alaskan adventures demand self-sufficiency and backcountry competence. If you master backcountry skills in this remote landscape, it may unlock a lifetime of adventure, beauty, and further exploration of America's most isolated and expansive wildernesses.

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Lake Clark National Park & Preserve

Last updated: October 26, 2021

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The 24 BEST hikes in Alaska

Last updated on March 28th, 2024

Looking for the best hikes in Alaska? We’re sharing 24 hikes in Alaska, which have epic mountain views, glaciers, gorgeous lakes, and more! We have been lucky enough to hike some epic trails all across North America. We’ve backpacked in the desert, wandered underneath giant Redwoods, strolled along rugged coastlines, and climbed daunting peaks. But the hiking we experienced in Alaska was hands down the best of our lives! During our 2.5 months living in Alaska, we hiked over 20 trails. And every single one blew us away! We got to experience endless sheets of ice, bright blue glacial lakes, jagged peaks, old mine ruins, and rushing rivers. Including even pulling ourselves across one in a tram!

Watch our entire Alaska YouTube series to see our experience on many of these hikes, plus learn even more about what to expect.

In this guide we’re sharing the 24 best hikes in Alaska, based on our experience. We’re focusing solely on the areas we hiked during our visit, including Anchorage, the Kenai Peninsula, Hatcher Pass, and three national parks. The majority of these hikes are all accessible by car, so they’re reachable by the average visitor.  We’re also including helpful tips, important things to know, and what to bring, so you’re prepared to hike in Alaska. While this isn’t an exhaustive list of all of the best hikes in Alaska, we hope it gives you many trail ideas for your own Alaskan adventure! PS: If you scroll to the end, we’re including a downloadable checklist with all of these trails!

Looking for more things to do in Alaska?

• How to spend 7 days in Alaska (4 itinerary options!)
• Things to do in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park (The largest in the US!)
• 12+ FUN things to do in Valdez, Alaska
• 8+ EPIC things to do in Hatcher Pass in Alaska  
• The ULTIMATE guide to visiting Denali National Park (Mile 0-43)
• 8 things to do in Kenai Fjords National Park
• RVing Alaska: Our top tips & things to know!
• The ULTIMATE guide to driving the Alaska Highway
• Summer Alaska Packing List
• All of our Alaska vlogs
• All of our Alaska guides

Denali National Park

Hatcher pass, anchorage area, kenai peninsula, kenai fjords national park, glenn highway, wrangell-st. elias national park, tips + things to know before hiking in alaska, what to bring when hiking in alaska.

Below are the 24 epic hikes to consider for your next trip to Alaska! Minus a few of these, these are all hikes that we completed and loved and in our opinion, are some of the best hikes in Alaska. They range in distance, difficulty, and types of scenery. So there is a little something for everyone.  We are breaking down the hikes by area and you can use the map above to get a better idea of where they are located in comparison to each other. For some hikes, we have detailed guides that we will link to which provides a lot more information on the hike. But for others, we only documented our experience on YouTube , so we will go a bit more in depth on those ones in this post. Disclaimer: We are writing about our experience on these trails from the summer of 2022. We cannot speak to how these trails are outside of that timeframe or what their current conditions are, so make sure to read current reviews.

Denali National Park is home to Denali, the highest mountain peak in North America, at 20,310 feet. The first 15 miles of the park is where you’ll find the only developed trails in the park. This area is also the only area accessible by personal vehicle. From mile 15 and beyond, you’ll have to utilize the park’s shuttles to get around. And there is only off trail hiking available. All of these hikes listed below are in the first 15 miles of the park, so you can freely drive to their trailheads and you can expect maintained trails. Note: There is a day use fee of $15 per person (16 and older) for a 7 day pass to visit Denali National Park. We highly recommend getting the America the Beautiful Pass!

Learn more about Denali National Park and its unique rules by reading our ultimate guide to visiting Denali National Park .

Savage Alpine Trail

Miles (point to point): 4.1 Elevation: 1,414 feet Dog friendly?: No Reviews & Current Conditions The Savage Alpine Trail was our favorite hike in Denali National Park! Although it starts in the trees, you quickly emerge from them and for the rest of the hike have sweeping views. And if you catch it on a clear day, you’ll have an insane view of Denali! We lucked out by hiking this trail on our only clear day in the park. The trail can be pretty rocky at times and it does have a decent incline, but for most hikers, it’s a moderate trail.

Learn more about the Savage Alpine Trail and how to combine it with the Savage River Trail (which we highly recommend doing!) in this detailed guide .

Mount Healy Overlook Trail

Distance (round trip): 6.9 miles (closer to 5.2 miles if you do not go to the summit) Elevation:  2,483 feet (closer to 1,700 feet if you do not go to the summit) Dog friendly?: No Reviews & Current Conditions The Mount Healy Overlook is probably the most popular mountainous hike in Denali National Park. Located at the front of the park, it’s super easy to get to! And while it is one of the longer options and a bit steep, the stats on AllTrails are a bit deceiving, as those numbers go to the actual Mount Healy summit, which is past the Mount Healy Overlook.  Going to the overlook is a great ending point though! While you’re in the trees the majority of this hike, towards the overlook you’ll get above them and have beautiful views of the park and the surrounding mountains. You can see Denali on a clear day, but it isn’t as open of a view as the Savage Alpine Trail.  We personally liked the Savage Alpine Trail better, mostly because you are out of the trees more and have a better vantage point of Denali. But this hike is also incredible!

Learn more about how to hike the Mount Healy Overlook Trail in Denali National Park, plus what to expect along the way, in this detailed guide .

Horseshoe Lake Trail

Miles (roundtrip): 2.1 Elevation gain: 380 feet Dog friendly?: No Reviews & Current Conditions For an easy, but great bang for your buck hike in Denali National Park, check out the Horseshoe Lake Trail. It may seem easy and less exciting on paper, but it makes for a great warm up, cool down, or just relaxing stroll in the park! And compared to the other hikes in the park, it is packed with a bunch of different features. You’ll experience a railroad track crossing, a beautiful forest, overlook of the lake, beaver dams, stunning blue water, a river, and more!

Learn more about what to expect on the Horseshoe Lake Trail in this detailed trail guide .

Tucked in the Talkeetna Mountains, just under 1.5 hours north of Anchorage lies a magical area called Hatcher Pass. With bright blue lakes, over 30 glacial peaks, it is easily home to some of the best hikes in Alaska! And the best part? It isn’t too difficult to get to and offers a variety of experiences for all abilities. We cannot express how much we loved this area, it’s a mountain paradise!

Besides the hikes below, there is more to do in Hatcher Pass. Check out our guide to Hatcher Pass to find out more! 

Reed Lakes Trail

Miles (roundtrip): 8.7 Elevation (gain): 2,247 feet Dog friendly?: Yes Reviews & Current Conditions Out of all of the hikes we did in Hatcher Pass, the Reed Lakes Trail is our top pick! While another hike had arguably even better views, this trail offered the best experience overall. You’ll have views right from the trailhead, get to hike by a waterfall, navigate a fun boulder section, see a crystal clear stream, and then end with TWO bright blue lakes, surrounded by mountains. It’s an incredible hike!

To learn more about this hike and what to expect along the way, check out our guide to hiking the Reed Lakes Trail . 

April Bowl Trail

Miles (roundtrip): 2.2 Elevation (gain): 856 feet Dog friendly?: Yes Reviews & Current Conditions The April Bowl Trail may be short, but don’t let its distance fool you. This one is a bit of a workout!  There are a couple options for this hike. You can either climb up the first incline, to two small alpine lakes, and admire the views from here. Or you can continue on to Hatch Peak, which is steep and rocky, but gives you even higher up views. We recommend going up to Hatch Peak, but with either option, you’ll get to see multiple lakes, tons of mountains, and if you’re lucky, paragliders! This trail was one of the best surprises for us in Hatcher Pass. We sometimes assume that a short hike equals less views. But this hike is proof that you don’t always have to hike many miles for an amazing payoff!

Gold Cord Lake Trail

Miles (roundtrip): 1.5 Elevation (gain): 482 feet Dog friendly?: Yes Reviews & Current Conditions For a shorter and easier hike, the Gold Cord Lake Trail is a great choice! This hike starts by the Independence Mine, which is well worth a visit, and takes you up to a beautiful lake. When we visited it was a bit foggy and rainy, but despite that, it was still beautiful. You will also get some great views of the mining complex and the surrounding mountains!

Gold Mint Trail to the Mint Hut

Miles (roundtrip): 16.6 Elevation gain: 3,543 feet Dog friendly?: Yes Reviews & Current Conditions The Gold Mint trail to the Mint Hut had our favorite views not only in Hatcher Pass, but quite possibly all of Alaska! However, this hike is NOT for everyone.  First off, it’s a longer hike and we’d highly suggest backpacking it. While you can just do some of it, the best views are at the top. Secondly, it has some challenges! The trail follows the Little Susitna River, through a valley, for the first 7 miles or so. This part of the hike is relatively easy from an elevation gain perspective. However, it is mentally challenging, as you’ll encounter thick mud, overgrown brush, and confusing trails along the way. But if you can conquer this section, you’ll have the mental fortitude to tackle the final stretch, which is very steep and rocky, as you ascend to the iconic red Mint Hut. This hut was built in 1971 and is a super unique feature to this hike. While only MCA members can stay in it, anyone can go inside and check it out!

However, the hut is just one part of the epicness at the top. Surrounding the hut are endless jagged, glacial peaks. The scenery is absolutely mindblowing and we felt like we were in the Alps! You also have the option to hike up to two bright blue lakes at the end, which are well worth it. While this hike physically and mentally challenged us, it was one of our favorite memories of our entire time in Alaska. If you think you’re up for the challenge, we promise you’ll be blown away by the beauty! 

Read more about the Gold Mint Trail and a more detailed breakdown of the hike in our guide to hiking the Gold Mint Trail to the Mint Hut .

The Anchorage area is loaded with amazing hikes. It’s kind of wild how you can be in the city one minute and then up in the mountains a short drive later.  During our time in Alaska we hiked a few trails in Chugach State Park and the Chugach National Forest, all within a short drive from Anchorage. And what we loved about them is that despite all being close together, they all offered a completely different experience!

South Fork Valley Trail

Miles (roundtrip): 10.7 Elevation gain: 1,558 feet Dog friendly?: Yes Reviews & Current Conditions

Note: there is a $5 fee to do this hike, which you can pay via a credit card machine at the trailhead. The South Fork Valley Trail is incredible! You’ll hike through a valley, with mountain views the entire way, before ending at Eagle and Symphony Lakes. These lakes, which despite being right next to each other, are completely different colors. Eagle Lake is fed by a nearby glacier, so it’s filled with glacial silt, giving it a milky color. While Symphony Lake is filled with snow melt and rainwater, giving it a clearer, dark blue color. Seeing them side by side is a really unique experience!  While you can admire the lakes from eye level, you can also hike up to a peak behind the lakes for an even better view. The South Fork Valley Trail itself isn’t too hard, minus a rocky section right by the lakes, but this extra climb to get above the lakes was tough. The trail was very rocky, slick, and narrow, with some drop offs. Hiking poles would be helpful here!  Besides just admiring the lakes, you can also fish here! Symphony Lake is stocked with Arctic grayling and trout, so Adam brought his fly rod on the hike. You’ll have to watch this video to see exactly how it went, but it was a pretty funny and exciting experience.

Crow Pass Trail to Raven Glacier

Miles (roundtrip): 7.2 (this mileage includes the addition to Raven Glacier, which is not on the AllTrails route linked) Elevation gain: 2,100 feet (this elevation includes the addition to Raven Glacier) Dog friendly?: Yes Reviews & Current Conditions The Crow Pass Trail is a 26 mile trail (one way) that follows part of the original Iditarod Trail. While doing the entire hike is a goal for someday, we just did a small portion of it as a day hike instead. And we LOVED it! We hiked from the trailhead near Girdwood to Crystal Lake and Raven Glacier. And despite hiking on a rainy, gloomy, and very windy day, it was spectacular! The trail starts more in the forest, but opens up and for the rest of the hike you’ll be surrounded by a mix of green, lush mountains and super rocky mountains. And tons of waterfalls! It felt like we were in Iceland at some points! The trail is overall easy to follow and has a mix of dirty and rocky terrain. At one point you have the choice to go on a lower trail or a higher trail. 

On the lower trail you’ll be able to see mining ruins from the Monarch Mine, which were active from 1909 to 1938, plus two waterfalls. While on the higher trail you’ll get to cross two different waterfalls! We took the lower trail on the way and the higher trail on the way back and liked doing it that way.  Once the trails reconnect, you will have to cross a stream, which may require you to get your feet wet. You also may have the chance to see wildlife! We got to see a momma and baby mountain goat. It was adorable!  The AllTrails route ends at the glacial Crystal Lake, which still had ice on it for us! There is an A-frame cabin here that you can rent , overlooking the lake, which would be such a fun experience. We hear that it fills up fast though! While this hike technically ends here, make sure to continue on another ½ mile or so (one way) to view the Raven Glacier. This glacier is breathtaking!

Flattop Mountain Trail

Miles (roundtrip): 3.3 Elevation gain: 1,430 feet Dog friendly?: Yes, but some parts may be difficult. Kona napped in the van for this one. Reviews & Current Conditions Note: there is a $5 fee to do this hike, which you can pay via a credit card machine at the trailhead. Flattop Mountain is said to be the most popular hike in Anchorage. And it’s easy to see why! It has low mileage (it’s steep though!), is a short drive from town, and just like basically every hike in Alaska, has amazing views. We decided to conquer this trail for our one and only midnight hike in Alaska. Not only did this make for a unique experience, but it also helped us beat the crowds.  The trail is steep from the beginning, with some wooden steps about midway through. But towards the end it gets even steeper, with slick dirt terrain, and right before the top, turns into a bit of a rock scramble. I had to use my hands a bit to help me out and was a bit nervous. For some reason, going up was scarier than going down. But we made it to the top! And at the top there is an American flag, which was whipping in the crazy wind for us. Plus views of the Turnagain Arm, Anchorage, and the Chugach Mountains.  We went into this hike thinking it would be kind of lame compared to others, since it’s right by the city. But we were wrong! The mix of city and nature scenery is super interesting and if you couldn’t see Anchorage, you’d think you were much further away!

Whittier is a small town located about 1 hour and 15 minutes southeast of Anchorage, Alaska, along the Passage Canal. And to get to it, unless you take a ferry or train, you will need to drive through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. This does have a toll and set schedule , since it’s one way and shared with a train. But it’s a neat experience to go through! There are a handful of hikes in Whittier, but the two hikes below are ones that we completed and enjoyed! Well, mostly. 😉

Portage Pass Trail

Miles (roundtrip): 4.4 Elevation gain: 1,437 feet Dog friendly?: Yes Reviews & Current Conditions The Portage Pass Trail was one of our favorite shorter day hikes in Alaska! This trail takes you to Portage Lake, which is where you can find Portage Glacier. But there is more to see along the way! The trail starts out steep, taking you up to a ridge, where you’ll have a view of the Passage Canal behind you and the Portage Glacier in front of you. The views are incredible! From here, you’ll continue on to Portage Lake. This part of the trail takes you through brush and trees. But there are some views along the way! You’ll be able to see waterfalls and other glaciers tucked into the mountains. After a short hike, you’ll make it to a beach along Portage Lake, with Portage Glacier right in front of you! When you’re done soaking up the views, you’ll hike back the same way you came. This means you’ll go uphill back to the overlook and then have a steep downhill hike back to the trailhead. It’s worth it though!

To learn more about the Portage Pass Trail, including how to get to the trail, the different sections, and more, check out our Portage Pass Trail guide . 

Emerald Cove Trail

Miles (roundtrip): 3.8 Elevation gain: 479 feet Dog friendly?: Yes, but with the mud, we’d suggest leaving them behind. Reviews & Current Conditions The Emerald Cove Trail is a very different hike than anything we did in Alaska. It doesn’t take you to a mountain peak or into a mountainous valley. Instead, it takes you through the forest to a remote, gorgeous cove along the Passage Canal. And along the way, you’ll get to see a beautiful waterfall, pick berries (if ripe), and possibly even see hundreds of salmon swimming upstream (SO cool)! 

However, we were hesitant to include this one because it was SO muddy. To the point where most people would not enjoy it. But for us, we had some good laughs as we got stuck in mud (Adam even had his Chaco ripped off!). And there are a lot of amazing features on this hike. So we are including it anyway! We wouldn’t say put this one at the top of your list, but wanted to include it as an option to consider. If you want to get a better idea of this mud, check out our video from the hike ! 

The Kenai Peninsula is a large peninsula south of Anchorage that is known for its vast wilderness, wildlife, glaciers, coastal towns, and Kenai Fjords National Park. Many say it’s their favorite spot in this area of Alaska. And we agree! There are so many trails you could hike on the Kenai Peninsula and we were lucky to experience a handful! Below are some of the best hikes on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, outside of the national park. 

Palmer Creek Lakes Trail

Miles (roundtrip): 2.7 Elevation gain: 921 feet Dog friendly?: Yes Reviews & Current Conditions The Palmer Creek Lakes Trail is a hidden gem! Located near the tiny, authentic Alaskan town of Hope, it features a small pond, two beautiful blue lakes, a waterfall, river, and of course, many mountains. Getting to this hike requires going down the unpaved Palmer Creek Road, which would be fine for any vehicle. The drive alone is stunning! The trail starts out in the brush, which is low enough that you can still see views. Later on in this guide we mention that we wish we had waterproof pants for Alaska. This hike is one of the ones where they would’ve come in handy! The part of the trail that goes through brush is narrow and was super wet, soaking our pants. Thankfully this part is short lived and the trail opens up to more tundra terrain. The hike gets steeper, but since it’s so short, it’s not too difficult. And the lakes at the end are amazing!

Skilak Lookout Trail

Miles (roundtrip): 4.1 Elevation gain: 816 feet Dog friendly?: Yes Reviews & Current Conditions The Skilak Lookout Trail wasn’t our first choice hike for the day we hiked it. But it ended up being the perfect plan b! We originally intended to hike the Slaughter Ridge Trail (more on that next!), but bailed and at the last minute, decided to hike the Skilak Lookout Trail instead.

The hike doesn’t have a ton of views along the way (we did see lots of fireweed and wildflowers though!), but at the end you’ll have a phenomenal view of Skilak Lake. This lake is a bright blue color and huge! And when the sun hits it, it gets even bluer (if that was even possible).  The combination of the lake’s color with the mountains surrounding it, low mileage, and minimal elevation gain makes this hike easily one of the best hikes in Alaska under 5 miles!

Slaughter Ridge Trail

Miles (roundtrip): 4.2 Elevation gain: 2,509 feet Dog friendly?: Yes Reviews & Current Conditions As we mentioned above, we did not complete the Slaughter Ridge Trail. But had the conditions been right, we would have and we know it would’ve been epic! The day we did this hike started out super foggy. And as you can likely tell from the stats above, this hike is VERY steep. Like, straight up, steep.  We made it about halfway up the mountain, which was incredibly slow moving and difficult, hoping the fog would clear, but the surrounding peaks were socked in. So since the hike was so challenging, we decided it wasn’t worth the effort to have no views at the top.

Although this hike was a bust for us, we were able to see some views of Kenai Lake below. And based on what we could see and the photos we have seen online, we know it would be jaw dropping on a clear day. We do want to stress though that this hike should only be attempted by more experienced hikers. It’s a doozy! Note: We have read that the trailhead we parked at (which is what AllTrails says to start at) is closed this year. Please read current reviews to see where others have parked.

Grewingk Glacier and Tram Trail

Miles (roundtrip): 8.9 Elevation gain: 1,240 feet Dog friendly?: Yes Reviews & Current Conditions Located across the water from Homer, Kachemak Bay State Park is Alaska’s first state park and has 400,000 acres of mountains, glaciers, forests and ocean. And one of the most popular hikes to do in the park is the hike to the Grewingk Glacier! To get to Kachemak Bay State Park, you’ll have to take a water taxi from Homer. This usually costs in the $80 range per person, making this the most expensive hike on the list. However, it is worth it! Not only do you get a scenic boat ride, but you get to hike in a more remote, undeveloped area. The water taxi will drop you off at one of two trailheads to get to the Grewingk Glacier. Both are pretty short and easy, making this a super doable day hike. However, we decided to complete this hike as a backpacking trip to be able to soak it in and not feel rushed. We highly recommend it!

But regardless if you hike this as a day hike or overnight trip, Grewingk Glacier is an impressive sight! It is 13 miles long and ends at Grewingk Glacier Lake, which has tons of floating icebergs. Getting to camp right along this lake was a dream! Besides the lake and glacier, make sure to take the 1 mile (each way) detour off the Glacier Lake Trail to a tram that goes over a rushing, glacial river. You operate the tram yourself, which is a blast!

This hike does require some logistics, especially if you want to camp. To read more about our experience and how to do this hike as both a day hike and backpacking trip, check out our detailed guide !

Lost Lake Trail

Miles (roundtrip): 13.8 Elevation gain: 2,631 feet Dog friendly?: Yes Reviews & Current Conditions The Lost Lake Trail is one hike we unfortunately didn’t have time for, but is at the top of our bucket list for our next Alaska trip. This hike is a trek, so make sure you have a full day to spare. It could be done as a backpacking trip, but many do it as a day hike. The trail starts in the forest, but opens up after around 2 miles and you’ll have views the entire rest of the way. You’ll get to hike among meadows and alpine terrain, with mountains all around. These super exposed, alpine hikes are our favorite! The trail ends at Lost Lake, which we hear has fish if you want to bring your rod! Note: Many people do report seeing bears on this hike, so be prepared!

Mount Marathon Trail

Miles (roundtrip): 4.1 Elevation gain: 2,923 feet Dog friendly?: No Reviews & Current Conditions When visiting Seward, you’ll likely notice Mount Marathon. This peak towers over the town and the Mount Marathon Trail came highly recommended to us. Since we unfortunately only had a few days in Seward, we couldn’t make this one happen. But you bet we’ll be conquering it next time! If you can’t tell by the stats, this may be the hardest hike on this entire list. With over 1,000 feet of elevation gain per mile, your legs will be burning, but at the top, you’ll get an unreal view of Seward and Resurrection Bay.  It’s worth noting that the route on AllTrails is a loop and the way down is a lot steeper than the way up. For something a bit easier, go back down the same way you came. PS: If you think hiking this trail sounds crazy, every year there is a 5K where people RUN up it!

Kenai Fjords National Park is one of the best things to do on the Kenai Peninsula. Located near Seward, this park features glaciers, the largest icefield in the US, coastal scenery, tons of wildlife, and more! It was our favorite of the three national parks we visited in Alaska! There may not be a ton of trails to hike in Kenai Fjords National Park, but the couple trails that they have are insane!  Note: Similar to Denali National park, dogs are not allowed. However, one difference about this park is that it is free to visit!

Want to learn more about the park and other things to do? Check out our guide to Kenai Fjords National Park !

Exit Glacier Hike

Miles (roundtrip): 2.2 Elevation gain: 308 feet Dog friendly?: No Reviews & Current Conditions If you’re short on time or want an easy hike in Kenai Fjords National Park, the Exit Glacier Hike is for you! This hike takes you to various viewpoints of the Exit Glacier, which is rapidly shrinking, receding more than 2,300 feet since 2004.  Along the way you can see signs, which tell you the year that the Exit Glacier terminated that point. It’s pretty wild to see just how much of the glacier has vanished. If there was ever an urgency to do a hike, it’s this one!

Read our full guide to the Exit Glacier Hike to learn more about the different trails and what to expect along the way!

Harding Icefield Trail

Miles (roundtrip): 8.6 Elevation gain: 3,198 feet Dog friendly?: No Reviews & Current Conditions Want to feel like you’re on another planet? Hike the Harding Icefield Trail! The Harding Icefield is the largest icefield entirely in the United States at 700 square miles and almost 4,000 feet deep. And it is the source of 38 glaciers in the park! This hike was easily one of our top three hikes in Alaska. You start in the forest, but in less than 2 miles, you’ll emerge from the trees and have views for the rest of the hike. You will get to see the Exit Glacier, rugged, rocky terrain, marmots (if you’re lucky), and pass by a shelter (which makes for a great snack spot). Even though this hike is long and challenging, there is so much to see and experience along the way to distract you.

However, the best part is when you get to the end and there is ice for as far as the eye can see! We did the hike on a partially gloomy day, so the views weren’t totally clear. But even with some clouds, we could grasp the sheer magnitude of the Harding Icefield. It’s one of the most wild things we have ever seen!

Read our full guide to hiking the Harding Icefield to learn more about the different sections of the trail, what to expect, and see more photos of this EPIC hike!

The Glenn Highway runs about 180 miles from Anchorage to Glennallen, Alaska. If you’re visiting Valdez, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, or driving to/from Alaska, you will likely take this road. It is an incredibly scenic drive, with a handful of viewpoints and sights along the way. And if you’re looking for a hike, we recommend the Lions Head Trail!

Lion’s Head Trail

Miles (roundtrip): 2.1 Elevation gain: 990 feet Dog friendly?: Yes Reviews & Current Conditions Don’t underestimate this hike. It is short, but oh boy, is it muddy and STEEP! We’ll be honest, at times it is brutal. But if you can’t tell from the other hikes we’ve listed on this guide, we enjoy a challenge! One very important thing to know about hiking the Lion’s Head Trail is that it is located on AT&T property. You must call them (800-252-7521) and let them know you are hiking. They’ll get some information from you and ask you to call when you are finished. Please do this. Otherwise, I am pretty sure it’s considered trespassing. It’s worth mentioning though that while the AT&T service is great at the trailhead, we did not have any Verizon service. Thankfully we had an AT&T hotspot we were able to use to call them. Some people on AllTrails have suggested calling while you still have service, before getting to the trail. NOTE: As of September 2023, we hear it is no longer required to call AT&T. But just in case that changes, please be prepared to do so.

Once getting through the gate, the first part will take you along a service road, before hitting the actual trail. It starts out a bit gradual and then BAM, it’s steep! But not only is it steep, it’s very muddy. Some spots have “steps” in the mud and branches to hold onto, but others are harder. Towards the top it becomes a bit rockier, which was much easier in our opinion. And once you make it to the very top, you’ll have a view of the Matanuska Glacier! This glacier is 27 miles long and is the largest glacier in the US that can be reached by vehicle. We had previously gone ice climbing on it , so seeing it from above was a really cool perspective for us! Besides the glacier, you’ll have 360 degree views of the other mountains nearby, all of which have a slightly different look to them. Although this hike is a muddy mess, the views made up for it!

Valdez was our favorite town in Alaska! Nicknamed “Little Switzerland,” this area has towering peaks, coastal views, fjords, giant waterfalls, a scenic canyon, glaciers, and so much more. Many of Valdez’s top sights can be experienced without hiking, but there is one area we want to point out!

Read our detailed guide to Valdez to learn about more things to do in this area, including how to see tons of sea lions feasting on salmon!

Thompson Pass

Miles (roundtrip): 1 Elevation gain: 127 feet Dog friendly?: Yes Reviews & Current Conditions Thompson Pass had some of the most breathtaking views that we witnessed in Alaska! This mountain pass sits at 2,678 feet in the Chugach Mountains and is known as the snowiest place in all of Alaska and possibly the United States, receiving an average of over 500 inches per year. We’re hesitant to consider Thompson Pass one of the best hikes in Alaska because technically there aren’t any marked trails. So there isn’t necessarily one specific hike to do there. Instead, you’re able to explore freely and choose your own adventure! This may seem daunting, so we suggest viewing this AllTrails route , which is an area with a matted down path that is easy to explore. We checked out that area and also went across the highway and wandered around a bit, which you can see on our trail recording .

Wrangell-St. Elias is the largest national park in the United States, covering 13 million acres! While a bit tougher to get to, it is accessible by vehicles and offers a unique mix of mountains, glaciers, and mining history. Similar to Kenai Fjords, it is free to visit, but unlike the other national parks, this one DOES allow dogs!

Learn more about Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, including how to get there and other things to do in our guide to the park !

Root Glacier Trail

Miles (roundtrip): 5.7. Note: this distance includes part of the walk to the trailhead, plus walking on the glacier. The actual hike from the trailhead to the base of the glacier is closer to 2 miles (one way). Elevation gain: 793 feet Dog friendly?: Yes Reviews & Current Conditions One very unique thing about Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is that you can walk ON a glacier…by yourself! The Root Glacier Trail leads you to the Root Glacier, the most accessible glacier in the park. And you are actually allowed to walk on it without a guide! To do this, you must have microspikes or crampons. Without these, it is unsafe. But if you have them, you can freely explore the ice! And as you do so, you’ll have a backdrop of some of the highest peaks in the United States. As well as the Stairway Icefall, one of the largest icefalls in the world at 7,000 feet tall. It’s a surreal experience!

To learn more about the hike, check out our detailed guide to Root Glacier Trail , which includes some guides you can hire if you don’t want to walk on the glacier by yourself.

Bonanza Mine Trail

Miles (roundtrip): 8.3 Elevation gain: 3,943 feet Dog friendly?: Yes Reviews & Current Conditions The Bonanza Mine trail combines everything that makes Wrangell-St. Elias National Park special. You have views of the park’s iconic peaks and glaciers, as well as mining ruins. But it takes a good amount of effort to complete this hike. This was probably the hardest hike of our entire trip to Alaska. From the beginning it’s all uphill. And the first two miles are in the trees, which is pretty boring. But once it opens up, you’ll start to enjoy the fruits of your labor. You’ll be able to see the Kennecott area of the park from above, mining ruins tucked into the mountainside, a waterfall, and so many uniquely shaped peaks. And the Bonanza Mine at the end is the cherry on top! This mine was once claimed to have the richest known concentration of copper ore in the world. Today, it’s a bit in disrepair, but seeing the old buildings hanging on for dear life, with mountains all around, is a really neat sight.

Check out our detailed guide to the Bonanza Mine Trail to hear more about our experience and what to expect along the way!

Now that you know of some of the best hikes in Alaska, we wanted to share some tips and important things to know before you hit the trail. While most of these hikes are in relatively developed areas and are popular, Alaska is still a rugged, wild place. And it’s important to be prepared, in order to have a safe and fun hike.

Want even more hiking tips? Read all of our hiking tips, including how to choose a trail, important things to consider, the tools we use, and so much more in our ultimate guide to hiking . 

Leave No Trace

Before embarking on your adventure, please review the Leave No Trace principles to ensure you leave every place better than you found it, so that others can enjoy these beautiful places for many years to come! These seven principles include planning ahead and preparing, hiking and camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly (pack out what you pack in!), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors. 

Read recent reviews

We always read AllTrails reviews before going on any hike! While you can get a general feel for the trail by looking at its mileage, elevation and elevation gain, and seeing some photos, reading reviews helps us learn about current conditions and the overall experience. For example, when reading AllTrails reviews for hikes we sometimes learn about partial trail closures, extremely muddy conditions, snow or ice, if there are a lot of bugs or aggressive wasps ( which unfortunately did get me !), safety concerns, crowd levels, and other important details that can make or break the experience.

When should you do these hikes?

These hikes are going to be best from June- early September, with some not being snow free until July. The end of August starts fall in Alaska, so hiking any later than mid September could be risky with early snowstorms.  As we mentioned above, make sure to read recent reviews. If you’re visiting Alaska early in the season, we also like to look at previous year’s reviews to see what the conditions were like then. While things can vary year to year, if a hike is still too snowy in mid June one year, it likely will be another year as well.

Let someone know your plans

ALWAYS tell someone where you’ll be hiking, plus your estimated start and end time. While this is especially important for any trail, it’s even more important in Alaska. Alaska has some challenging trails, vast wilderness, limited connectivity, and lots of wildlife.  We had zero safety issues while in Alaska, but you never know what can happen. And having someone aware of your plans can greatly increase your chances of getting help if something were to happen.

Download offline maps

It’s very common for hikes in Alaska to have zero cell phone service and sometimes the trails can be confusing. By having offline maps, you’ll be able to ensure you stay on trail throughout the entire hike. We use AllTrails+ for all of our hikes and it has helped us not get lost many times!

Want to get 30% off an AllTrails+ membership ? Use our code aplusk30 (you must redeem this code on the website, not the app)! We use AllTrails+ on every single hike and it is the most helpful hiking tool out there! Some of the features we love are offline maps (so we can navigate even without cell service), wrong-turn alerts, and its 3D maps feature, so we can get a feel for trails before we hike.

Carry an SOS device

This tip may not apply to the easier and more crowded hikes on this guide, like some of the national park hikes. But for the longer and more challenging hikes, we suggest carrying a Garmin inReach Mini .  This is a satellite device that has SOS functionality in case you need to call for help (for yourself or someone else), plus has the ability to send messages via satellites to loved ones. We use this all the time when hiking to send family members messages to let them know we are okay or if we finished a hike (and don’t have cell service). Thankfully we have yet to use the SOS feature and hope we never have to!

Wildlife safety

Alaska is home to black bears, grizzly bears, and moose, among other wildlife. When hiking, please understand what to do if you see a bear or a moose , as both can become aggressive if provoked. During our time in Alaska we saw one bear on a trail (a grizzly in Wrangell-St. Elias) and also got trapped by 3 moose on a paved path with our dog in Denali National Park. Thankfully we didn’t have any scary encounters, but understanding what to do helped us out!

Not all trails are dog friendly

Speaking of animals, while the hikes in Alaska are typically very dog friendly, in national parks and some other areas, they may not be allowed. We noted on the trails above if they were dog friendly, but always double check in case the rules have changed. And if you do bring your dog, please pick up after it (and pack it out) and keep them under control.  Not only is Alaska home to bears and other wildlife, but not all humans or dogs (like our pup Kona) appreciate strange dogs running up to them. We had a handful of really unpleasant and stressful encounters with off leash dogs running up to us in Alaska.

Curious what we do with our dog when she cannot hike with us? Check out this blog post where we share our tips and different options. 

Be prepared for all types of weather

Always check the weather before hiking! Weather can not only impact views, but it can impact safety. If you are hiking a trail that is fully exposed, requires a river crossing, or has sketchy drop offs, you may not want to do this on a rainy day. We did all of these hikes in Alaska between June-August 2022 and the weather varied a lot for us. Most of the summer was gloomy and rainy, but we did have some sunny days sprinkled in. We try to not let rain stop us from getting outdoors, but we did have to adjust many plans due to weather. And we tried to have a good attitude and enjoy the adventure, sunshine or not!

Wear the proper gear

With varying weather, elevation changes, and different terrain, make sure you wear the proper gear to stay safe and comfortable during your adventures. We’re sharing some gear suggestions for hiking in Alaska below!

To see everything we take hiking, check out our hiking gear as well as our guide about how to make a 10 essentials kit . But for hikes in Alaska, we have a few items we really want to stress bringing with you.

Hiking shoes

We always recommend wearing hiking shoes when hitting the trail, as they have better grip for the terrain. Kathryn rocks Lowa Women’s Renegade GTX on the trails and she LOVES them! Adam wears the ALTRA Lone Peak 6 Trail Running Shoe , which is a trail running shoe, so they are less bulky than boots, but still great for the trail.  Xtratuf boots are SUPER popular in Alaska and we can see why! These will keep your feet from getting wet and make hiking through mud a lot more pleasant. We didn’t have these, but were envious of people wearing them at times!

Weather in Alaska can be extremely unpredictable. Carrying some layers will help you be prepared for all conditions when hiking in Alaska. We always had our warmer jackets with us. Kathryn wears a Patagonia Down Sweater and Adam wears a Columbia VooDoo Falls jacket . We also tried to bring lighter layers, like pullovers too!

Rain jacket 

We had a very rainy summer in Alaska and sometimes the rain comes out of nowhere. Make sure to bring a rain jacket on your hikes! Kathryn wears the Patagonia Torrentshell jacket and Adam wears The North Face Alta Vista jacket . 

One item we did not have, but will 100% pick up before our next Alaska trip are rain pants. Many trails in Alaska take you through some brush and if it has rained, the brush will be very wet. Our pants got soaked on some hikes solely from touching the brush.

Garmin InReach

This is an essential piece of gear for this adventure because you won’t have much or any cell service. If you get in an emergency you’ll need a satellite communicator. We always carry our Garmin inReach Mini when we hike or backpack and it has come in handy several times on our adventures, mostly to text family (not for SOS reasons thankfully)!

Trekking poles

Some of these hikes in Alaska are steep, rocky, and slick. Trekking poles may be helpful, especially for the hike down. We have the Black Diamond Equipment Distance Z poles and highly recommend them!

Hot hands 

If you plan to hike in the cold, hot hands are so helpful! While gloves do keep our hands a bit warmer, we find these to take warmth to the next level!

If it’s icy or snowy, spikes are a must! Our Kahtoola MICROspikes are AMAZING and one of the best investments we have made for hiking. They have made hiking in icy and snowy conditions so easy! 

Make sure to always bring enough snacks and food for your hike, plus a little extra in case it takes longer than planned. You can see what food items we like to bring here !

You’ll want to make sure you have lots of water on your hike. We like to carry our 3L Camelbak bladders while on any hike, which makes it easy to store a lot of water and drink while on the go. We also will bring a water filter for longer hikes if we think we will need more than 3L each, so we can filter water, assuming there is some on the trail.

The summer days are very long in Alaska. We even went on a midnight hike once! But even if you don’t plan to hike for sunrise or sunset, it’s a good idea to have a headlamp on you. We’ve been using these headlamps for awhile now and they are bright, affordable, and comfortable.

We highly recommend carrying bear spray while in Alaska. While we only saw one bear on a trail during our time in Alaska, it gave us great peace of mind to know we had some sort of protection. We’d much rather have bear spray and not need it, than need it and not have it. Bear attacks are rare, but you cannot predict how a wild animal will react to seeing you. Not only is it important to have bear spray on you, but you need to have it readily available and know how to use it. We’d recommend watching this video that explains how to use bear spray, if you aren’t familiar. 

External battery charger

It’s a good idea to bring an external battery charger so you can keep your phone or any other electronic items charged. Don’t forget the charger cord too!

Be sure to follow Leave No Trace principle #3 and dispose of human waste properly. We use this trowel when we have to do our business in the wild. Thankfully this has never been needed for day hikes, just backpacking trips.

Toilet paper (and a bag)

Similar to above, if you need to do your business outdoors, make sure to bring some toilet paper. However, DO NOT bury this or leave this on the ground. Please take it with you! We will just put any used toilet paper in a dog waste bag and pack it out that way. For the ladies, a pee cloth is also a good idea!

Bug Repellent 

If you haven’t heard, the common joke is that the state bird of Alaska is the mosquito. We personally didn’t find the mosquitoes to be too bad during our trip to Alaska. Maybe we got lucky? But we still recommend bringing bug spray with DEET on your hikes!

Sun Protection

Many hikes in Alaska will take you above the treeline, giving you full exposure to the sun. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat will be very helpful! 

If you can handle a bit of extra weight, binoculars are a great addition when hiking in Alaska. You’ll be able to see even more epic views and maybe even some wildlife. We have the Bushnell H20 Roof Prism binoculars and we love them!

And of course, you need a backpack to put all of these items in! We both have REI Trail 40 packs and LOVE them! They may be a bit big for a day hike (we plan to use them to backpack too), but they hold so much, come with a rain cover, and have some nice features, like hip pockets, a sleeve for a water bladder, and more!

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Best Places For Backpacking In Alaska

Alaska's best national parks for backpacking trips.

Lisa Maloney

• In this guide
• Backpacking

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

• Gates of the Arctic National Park
• Kobuk Valley National Park

Denali National Park

• Wrangell-St. Elias National Park And Preserve
• Katmai National Park
• Prince William Sound and Kenai Fjords National Park

Lake Clark National Park

• Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve
• Chugach and Talkeetna Mountains
• When to go to Alaska
• Packing list
• Where to go

Chugach State Park

• Arrigetch Peaks
• Revelation Mountains

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Alaska is a backpacker's paradise, where your trail cred will reach new levels.

Whether you’re cutting your teeth on classic tried-and-true routes, or flexing more advanced backpacking skills, Alaska is the place to gear up and get out there. Just remember to plan appropriately and book with a qualified guide if needed!

Here are some of Alaska's best picks for wilderness backpacking trips.

Backpacking through Denali National Park

featured trips

Backpacking ANWR

10 days in the arctic national wildlife refuge.

Backpacking Wrangell

Explore the dramatic wilderness of wrangell - st. elias national park.

Backpacking the Ring of Fire

Explore ancient volcanoes at aniakchak national monument.

Backpacking the Revelation Mountains

Hike the remote mountains of lake clark national park.

Backpacking Denali

7-day, 20+ mile backpacking adventure, where to go backpacking in alaska, alaska's best places for wilderness backpacking trips.

Note: Many of the following locations are true Alaska wilderness, and are best visited with the support of an organised and guided backpacking tour.

Backpacking in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a vast, trackless wilderness, ideally suited to remote hiking, backpacking, climbing and paddle/float trips. This is a true wilderness—one of the most isolated places on earth, receiving fewer than 1,000 visitors each year. People generally visit as part of a guided or organised adventure tour.

There are no roads or established trails in ANWR. The only way to get here is by air, by boat (on the rivers) or on foot; the latter happens only very rarely. Most visitors take a small plane from Fairbanks to either Arctic Village (south of the refuge) or Kaktovik (on Barter Island, in the northerly reaches of the refuge), then take a bush plane to their final destination in the park. The most efficient flight from Fairbanks to Kaktovik takes two hours with Ravn Alaska and Hagelund Aviation.

Read more: How to get to Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Camping in Mountain Valley, Chugach State Park

Extending for roughly 495,000 acres north, south and east of Anchorage and connected to the South-central Alaska road network, Chugach State Park is one of the state’s more accessible adventure spots. The Chugach Mountains offer several dozen excellent hiking and backpacking trails, much of which across high tundra landscapes, all within easy reach from Anchorage.

Almost all access to Chugach State Park is by road. The park is easily accessed from a number of trailheads in Anchorage, Girdwood, Eagle River, Chugiak/Birchwood, and areas in between.

Read more: How to get to Chugach State Park

Striking camp in Denali National Park

Denali National Park and Preserve is a sprawling, 6-million-acre land of snow-clad peaks, tundra-carpeted hills and rushing glacier-fed creeks. Easy access from the road system and being home to Denali (formerly Mt. McKinley) which, at 20,310' / 6,200m, is the tallest mountain in North America, make this one of the most-visited parks in Alaska.

Backcountry hiking and backpacking are very popular. Most of this is done off-trail as there are no established long-distance trails.

Read more: How to get to Denali National Park

Camping in the shadow of the Arrigetch Peaks in Gates of the Arctic National Park

Arrigetch Peaks, Gates of the Arctic National Park

The Arrigetch Peaks, in Gates of the Arctic National Park, are known for their sheer walls, vertical spires and spectacular relief. They’re deep in the Brooks Range, with very low backpacker traffic.

Most famous for having one of the last completely intact Arctic ecosystems, there are no established or maintained roads or trails here, unless they were created by animals. Hiking and paddling or floating on the rivers are also very popular activities. Keep in mind that travel is difficult, and even seasoned backpackers may manage only five miles in a day.

Read more: How to get to Gates of the Arctic National Park

Revelation Mountains in Lake Clark National Park

Revelation Mountains, Lake Clark National Park

Lake Clark National Park is one of Alaska's preeminent backpacking locations, but despite its popularity there is still plenty of true wilderness for backpacking, such as the rugged and remote Revelation Mountains.

The Revelation Mountains have landscapes on a Himalayan scale and are visited by just a handful of hardy backpacking groups, typically on professionally-organised tours.

Read more: How to get to Lake Clark National Park

Hiking through glorious Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park may be best known for its enormous size; this 13.2 million acre behemoth is twice the size of Maryland. It's also a paradise for mountaineers, sporting some of North America's largest volcanoes but none of the traffic jams you'd find in Denali.

Although access is usually easiest by air taxi, two dirt roads offer limited access into the park.

Read more: How to get to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Brooks Range, Kobuk Valley National Park

Without road access, flightseeing trips are a popular mode of visiting Kobuk Valley National Park, with one of the most notable sites being the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes (and Little Kobuk and Hunt River dunes).

Hiking and backpacking are popular activities in Kobuk Valley National Park. With no designated campgrounds and no road access, be sure to pack everything you will need on your trip into the wilderness.

Kobuk Valley National Park is an excellent place for aurora-viewing in the winter and is a popular spot for activities such as snowmobiling (“snowmachining” to locals), skiing and dog mushing should only be attempted by people with the appropriate equipment and well-tested Arctic survival skills. For most visitors, this means: Don’t even think about it without a guide.

Read more: How to get to Kobuk Valley National Park

Things To Do In Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

About the author.

Lisa is an Alaska-based writer and journalist. She has authored the Moon guide to Alaska Alaska and served as senior editor at Alaska magazine among bylines in Via, Backpacker, the Wall Street Journal, Alaska magazine, Last Frontier, Northwest Travel & Life, The Writer, Funds for Writers, Natural Home and Garden and Outside Online.

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Home » Blog » 5 Epic Alaska Hiking & Backpacking Adventures (+ Packing Tips!)

5 Epic Alaska Hiking & Backpacking Adventures (+ Packing Tips!)

Alaska is jam packed with incredible hiking trails and opportunities for backpacking. I know it’s kind of cliche, but Alaska really does have an untamed wildness about it… and the state has some of the most rugged landscapes in the world. In saying that, you don’t have to be Bear Grylls to have your own Alaska hiking experience! In this post I have listed 5 epic hikes and backpacking trips to consider for your next visit to the last frontier (plus some packing tips!)

Sponsored by Nature Valley

5 Epic Alaska Hiking & Backpacking Adventures

Curry Ridge, Denali State Park

Mint Hut, Talkeetna Mountain Range

Byron Glacier, Chugach National Forest

Location: Byron Glacier Trailhead, Chugach National Forest. Distance:  2.8 miles (roundtrip) to the viewing area. Option to continue further though not advised by the USDA (due to melting snow and ice). Elevation:  100 feet gain; overall a very flat trail. Parking: Free, at trailhead. Camping:  Not along the trail itself, though we were told it may be possible higher up on a ridge (off trail) – please check with local rangers first. We opted to camp at nearby Williwaw Campground ($18 a night). Details:  This easy day hike offers beautiful glacial views and a well maintained gravel trail. The trail weaves through lush alder/cottonwood forest alongside Byron Creek, with numerous off-shoots to explore the water. The trail comes out at a viewing area in front of a large glacial moraine. From there it is “explore at your own risk” as the USDA reports risks involved with melting ice and snow. We really enjoyed this short  hike and it made for a less strenuous adventure compared to others listed in this blog post. 

RELATED: Beginners Guide to Hiking

Telaquana & Turquoise Lakes, Lake Clark NP

Location: Lake Clark National Park, southwest of Anchorage. Distance: depends on the trip! (more information below) Camping: Yes, though be sure to follow Leave No Trace principles. Details:  During our Alaska hiking adventure we opted to spend a week exploring the wilderness of Lake Clark National Park. Full blog post coming soon, but in short we essentially flew into Telaquana Lake, hiked over to Turquoise Lake and then base-camped there for a few days. We had planned to extend our route to Twin Lakes but circumstances didn’t allow for it. Our trip was guided by Expeditions Alaska and I wouldn’t recommended venturing into the park without a guide or solid knowledge and of the area and adequate route finding skills. Keep in mind that the park doesn’t have any marked or maintained trails and most routes involve bushwhacking and stream/creek/river crossings. Watch this space for a more in-depth blog post on our trip!

RELATED: Get a Good Nights Sleep When Backcountry Camping

Harding Icefield, Kenai Fjord NP

Alaska Hiking Packing Tips

Alaska hiking and backpacking can be more rugged compared to other popular places in America (in my experience). Often there aren’t “trails” as such and some bush-whacking might be involved. It’s also important to be prepared for rain and sub-optimal conditions. Be prepared for temperatures ranging from 30° to 80° F (-1° to 27° C) in the summer months. Here are some items that are recommended:

• Rain jacket and pants
• Sturdy waterproof hiking boots
• Warm layers (insulated jacket and fleece) – avoid cotton
• Quick dry hiking pants (avoid shorts on brushy hikes)
• Quick dry long sleeve hiking top (to protect from sun, bugs and brush)
• Sun hat + warm hat/beanie
• Gloves (a waterproof cover/layer would also be optimal)
• Wool or synthetic hiking socks
• Backpack large enough for your gear, with rain cover (or a dry sack inside
• Ankle/knee height gaiters (optional but I found them to be very handy)
• Trekking poles
• Insect repellent
• Mosquito head net
• Map, compass or GPS device
• Emergency gear, such as small first aid kit, knife and a signaling device such as a whistle
• Camera/phone with waterproof case or dry bag
• Snacks (we love the Nature Valley Sweet & Salty Bars! )

You can check out my Beginners Guide to Hiking for more advice on gear recommendations!

Additional if planning to camp:

• Bear Resistant Food Container (BRFC)
• Dense, high-calorie food that fits in the Bear Resistant Food Container
• Long underwear
• Stove, fuel, and cookware
• Water bottles/bladder
• Water filter or purifying tablets (also good for longer day hikes)
• Toilet paper, trowel and a bag for used toilet paper
• Tent with rain fly and waterproof floor
• Sleeping bag and pad (protection to 20° F/-7° C is suggested even in summer)
• Sleeping pillow (or you can use your jacket
• A change of shoes for camp to change out of wet boots
• Toiletries such as toothbrush, hand sanitizer, and lip balm

Check out my Beginners Guide to Backcountry Camping for more gear information!

Leave No Trace

I hope you found this article to be helpful! Here is a little video I put together from our adventure.

Hiking and Camping Tips

A Beginners Guide to Hiking

A Beginners Guide to Backcountry Camping

How To Get Over Your Fears of First Time Backcountry Camping

9 Tips for Getting a Good Nights Sleep When Camping

Eco-Friendly Outdoor Hygiene Tips for Every Hiker and Camper

Top Tips for Sleeping in Your Car on Road Trips

PIN for later!

Disclaimer: Thank you again to Nature Valley for partnering on this Alaska hiking post. As usual, all opinions are my own and unbiased. 

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Top 8 Alaska Backpacking Trips

For many, backpacking in Alaska is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It can also seem a little daunting with its sometimes unpredictable weather. Its abundance of bears and other wildlife is another consideration.

Backpacking trips in “the land of the midnight sun” can take considerable preparation. Many trails are physically taxing. Some take a lot of forward planning, securing permits and planning logistics. Still, others require excellent navigational skills. After all, the state's nickname is The Last Frontier!

Don't let these things put you off, though. Hiking this wilderness will be an experience you'll never forget. That's why we've included trips for all skill levels in this Alaska backpacking round-up. We hope you find the adventure you've been looking for!

Featured Photo: Crow Pass Trail by John M

Glacier Lake Trail

How does a hike around a remote island sound? Although cut off, it's one of the most popular trails at Kachemak Bay State Park. Located near Homer, the trail gains 1,384ft of elevation over 6 miles. It can be lengthened to 10 miles if you want some more miles. Just add on the spurs to Grewingk Tram and the Saddle Trail. This easy to moderate out-and-back trail is surprisingly well-marked. Keep your eyes peeled for black bears and bald eagles. The terrain wanders through a lovely forest with peeks at the lake for most of the journey. Grewingk Glacier at the lake is the highlight, along with icebergs meandering along. The descent down to the beach on the Saddle Trail is a bit steep, so take care. Part of the adventure is getting to and from the island via a water taxi.

Source: Flickr

Rabbit Lake Trail

This 9-mile out-and-back trail is located near Anchorage. It's rated as moderate, but most of your elevation gain will be at the beginning. In other words, if you can handle that, you're good to go for the rest of the trail! You'll gain 1,200ft of elevation in all. The path levels off within the first hour and the river starts to widen. Peaks Suicide North and South reflected in the tranquil waters of Rabbit Lake is breathtaking...And so is the water if you decide to dip your feet in! Bring your backcountry fishing poles to attempt to catch dinner. Or just waste some time enjoying the beautiful surroundings. For a quieter place to camp, head down the trail to the right of Rabbit Lake to McHugh Lake.

Crow Pass National Historic Trail

Intermediate hikers will enjoy the moderate 22-mile Crow Pass National Historic Trail. This one packs quite a bit more elevation gain at 3,300 feet. But, it's also spread out over a larger area. As its name implies, you'll love this trail if you're into learning history. It follows part of the original Iditarod Trail route. The whole trail is worth the journey, of course, but the first few miles are arguably the most scenic. Glaciers, waterfalls, and mine ruins are a few of the highlights along this stretch. (Make sure to take the lower trail at the junction if you want better views of the falls.) You'll get above treeline quickly too, affording wonderful views of the surrounding mountains. Crystal Lake is another highlight. Keep an eye open for mountain goats that frequent the area. Plenty of campsites are found near Eagle River. (Be prepared for the frigid crossing, though.) The trailhead is located about an hour away from Anchorage in the Chugach Mountains.

Resurrection Pass Trail

Although 38 miles may seem like a lot of mileage for some, this trail may surprise you. It has a reasonable “moderate” rating. And, the trail is easy to follow and campsites that include basic facilities or even cabins you can stay in for the night. You don't even have to worry about stream crossings. All of them have bridges. It's a great trail for transitional hikers looking to add more miles to their trips while having basic amenities to fall back on. The trail is also mostly level despite its 6,000 feet of elevation gain. The Resurrection Pass Trail offers a good mix of the Alaskan wilderness. Wildlife viewing opportunities are plentiful. Other highlights include cascading creeks, lakes to paddle on or fish in, and amazing views from the ridgeline above the pass. This point-to-point trail is located in the south-central area near Hope, AK.

Harding Icefield

Don't let the lack of miles fool you on this one. This 8.2-mile out-and-back route through the Harding Icefield is strenuous. You gain about 1,000 feet of elevation with each mile (so you're gaining about 4,000 feet on the hike up). It is one of the most popular treks in Alaska, located near Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park. Start on the verdant valley floor, climbing past wildflower meadows. The views from the top of the trail are the most spectacular around. You'll be able to see the valley below, Exit Glacier, and distant mountain peaks. But, it doesn't take long to get above the treeline from the start of the trail. You'll get plenty of great views on the way up too. Keep an eye out for black bears. They are seen very frequently in this area. Be sure to check trail conditions before you head out too. They can change quickly and it's not unusual for there to be snow lingering into July.

Gold Mint Trail

The Gold Mint Trail is a great place for intrepid explorers to start. This 18-mile out-and-back trek is rated as difficult. You'll gain about 4,000 feet in total elevation gain. The route follows the Little Susitna River to its headwaters, Mint Glacier. Great views up the valley greet you from the start. Soon you're surrounded by towering granite peaks the higher you climb. If you don't feel like roughing it overnight, you can stay in the Mint Hut. But, it can become quite crowded and requires a membership to the Mountaineering Club of Alaska. That said, take some time to explore the area near the glacier and cabin once you arrive. This trail is located about 1½ hours north of Anchorage.

K'esugi Ridge

No Alaskan hike round-up would be complete without one that features views of Mt.McKinley/Denali! The K'esugi Ridge Trail (click link for full write-up) is a moderate to difficult 27.5 miles. Another point-to-point trek, you'll gain nearly 6,000 feet of elevation. It's a steep climb to the ridge, but the views are worth it. (You'll walk along the ridgeline for a good portion of your journey.) Lakes of all sizes dot the landscape with growing mountains in the background. The saddle after Ermine Hill, where there is a trail junction, makes a good camping spot. This is especially true if you find yourself in less-than-great weather. Several trailheads are located along the way, so you can shorten your trip or make it even longer. (It's worth noting that the longer version travels through mostly forested land. In other words, not ideal if you're just wanting lots of ridgeline views.) Lots of campsites are along the way and you don't have to worry about securing permits for this trip.

Chilkoot Trail

For those looking for a challenge, look no further than the 33-mile Chilkoot Trail (click link for full write-up). This very difficult point-to-point near Skagway gains 6,000ft of elevation. Prepare for limited permits and timeframe to complete the hike safely. The trail traverses a former “Gold Rush Highway” with remnants of its past along the way. Also expect lots of biodiversity, ranging from high alpine country to boreal and coastal forest. Many bridges and boardwalks line the way through the marshy bit at the beginning. Check out old gold mining remnants in Canyon City. Get a good night's sleep before the strenuous crossing of Chilkoot Pass, complete with a few false summits. Enjoy the amazing views of all the scenery on your last few miles. This includes plenty of mountains, lakes, and valleys. Numerous campgrounds are present along the trail and so are bears.

For tips on backpacking in Alaska, be sure to check out this National Parks Service page .

Backpacking Alaska is a rewarding opportunity for any hiker. Have you completed any of the trails on our Alaska backpacking round-up? What is your favorite backpacking route in Alaska? Share with us in the comments section below!

If you're looking for more hike ideas, read our " Best Backpacking Trips on the West Coast " roundup post. Also, the following Hike of the Week articles cover other trails in the western U.S. and Canada.

Hike of the Week: Della Falls Trail Hike of the Week: Juan de Fuca Trail Hike of the Week: Lost Coast Trail

For even more amazing backpacking trips visit The Trailhead, our interactive hike map . It contains a curated list of dozens of hikes, each with a detailed writeup like this one.

Finally, check out our comprehensive list of backpacking articles that cover just about everything there is to know about backpacking. If you're just starting out, our Backpacking 101 section covers all the basics. If you already have a few trips under your belt, you can find more advanced topics covered in our Expert Articles .

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Denali Backpacking Trip

Backpack to the future. our newest trip to alaska's oldest national park.

• Backpacking Denali National Park
• Experience Denali National Park like few others do
• Go backpacking beside North America’s tallest mountain
• Guided by Alaska's backpacking professionals
• Step into pure wilderness
• Adventure across the Alpine, no trail required (or available)
• Stunning 360 degree Mountain Views
• Customize your trip with basecamp and through-hiking options

Everybody loves Denali. The Great One.

We love it too.

We’ve wanted to put a Denali backpacking trip together for you. For a decade we’ve wanted to bring you here. So we explored a couple of options recently and this one crushes. Totally crushes.

You wanna watch the sunset, ebbing behind the highest mountain in the country? You wanna scramble along some of the loneliest alpine ridges in Alaska? You wanna camp alone in the mountains and feel like you belong here?

Decadent Denali backpacking trip will be a perfect fit for you.

Denali National Park & Mt. Denali

It’s all about ‘the mountain’ , as the locals refer to Mt Denali. Few folks in Alaska call this magnificent mountain anything other than Denali. This derives from the native Athabascan name, meaning “the Great One” . Most days, we call it ‘the mountain’ .

A breathtaking sight.

Nothing will mesmerize a lover of the outdoors more than hiking beneath Denali. Our guided backpacking trips in Denali National Park are an opportunity for solitude, for wildlife viewing and photography. Majestic vistas and fantastic backcountry travel make this trip special. You’ll know it when you feel it.

Towering over 20 000′ high, Denali oversees our entire trip. The highest peak in Alaska, indeed in all North America. Denali’s power is omiprescient. On a beautiful Alaskan summer day, Denali is visible from hundreds of miles away. Other times it lies shrouded in clouds created by its own bulk. You feel an edge for the entire backpacking trip, alert for a glimpse of this natural wonder.

Wildlife are present, but not plentiful here. The park is often referred to as “America’s Serengeti” , yet that’s a bit of a misnomer. Life in the subarctic is hard, and population densities this far north are never high.

That said, Denali is still the premier place in Alaska to watch caribou, grizzly bears, wolves, moose, and Dall sheep. Golden eagles, wolverine, red fox, marmots and pikas, etc, also live within this park. Denali National Park is a stunning hiking trip and you’re never quite sure what you might see. Bears are abundant here.

Your Denali Backpacking Trip

We’re not hiking in from the road in Denali National Park. Our backpacking trip goes deep into the wilderness of America’s oldest National Park and explores an area few people ever visit. We fly. We backpack. We fly home.

Though Denali is easily the most popular national park in interior Alaska, and backpacking numbers dwarf any of the other parks we visit ( Wrangell-St. Elias National Park , Gates of the Arctic National Park , Lake Clark National Park , etc), we won’t see anybody here. Because nobody, not even the most ardent backpackers and explorers, makes their way here.

We’ll bring you into the park on our Denali backpacking trip and you’ll see a region of the park that is simply superb. great views of the mountain (weather permitting, of course).

Catch the park in all its fall glory in late August and early September. The tundra puts on its blazing show. A myriad of golds, yellows, reds, and every possible combination of these glowing colors. A week of backpacking in Denali National Park is a lifetime of memory. You’re in good hands. Our experience and knowledge of the area ensure you can best utilize your time here.

Relax and enjoy ‘The Great One’ .

This one is for you.

Trip Details

The backpacking is endless in this area. You’ll explore the high country, traversing ridges and walking up valleys. The hidden gems of the area are right outside your tent.

From our drop-off point, we hike to camp. It’s a steep little sidehill, and a solid hit out to get you started.

Thereafter, it’s gold.

The walking here is a mix of everything. Tundra, scree, brush, plateaus, creeks and moraine. If diversity is a strength (and we think it is), this Denali backpacking trip is one of the strongest yet.

We’ll backpack and explore the area bit more than we did in 2022. Rhane checked it out and came back eyes wide open and mouth agape, ‘Carl, you gotta get in here”. So here we are.

It’s a good fit for folks who can backpack, are comfortable on different types of terrain and bring a flexible mindset on what a trip like this looks like. If you’re a “on day 1, at 3pm, what do we do?” kinda person this one might not be for you. Yet.

If you’re an adventurer, a backcountry-capable and fit, durable kinda person, who wants to explore an extremely rarely visited area in this most famous of National Parks, tag us.

We’d love to bring you along.

We’ll meet you in Talkeetna, a tiny town with a giant personality, and the gateway to all things Denali. We’ll fly from Talkeetna to our drop-off point in the park. After the trip, we’ll return to Talkeetna for one night.

We strongly recommend that you schedule your departure flight from Anchorage for the following night after 8pm or, safer, a day later. Alaska’s weather likes to upend itineraries. So, in case we need to spend an extra night in the backcountry until our air taxi can pick us up, it’s best to build in an extra day in Alaska from the get-go.

Trip insurance is required.

Is This a Fit For You?

Who’s it for.

Adventurous experienced backpackers. Intermediate level, with advanced option.

Confident, durable and fit people.

Any wilderness backpacking trip can throw a curve, even those we’ve hiked for more than two decades. Trips we’ve seen less of can be even more challenging to navigate. Newer backpacking trips tend to have more variables we haven’t yet dealt with. We want to be comfortable with changing plans and conditions.

Not everyone can do that. Fewer people still can do it well.

Weather is always a challenge in the Alaska Range, and particularly up above treeline. Be ready for everything Denali can throw at you. Wind and rain, more rain, snow, sleet, fog, more wind and rain, and (fingers crossed) some gorgeous blue skies.

Terrain is everything. You need to be confident in your balance, comfortable with a heavy load on your back. Be able to navigate varying and steeper hillsides. The Alaska Range don’t play.

Sidehilling is your biggest challenge here. So be good on your feet.

How'd we find this spot?

With a LOT of patience and scouting and exploratory diligence.

It takes time to really get into the weeds using satellite imagery, a boatload of topo maps and way too many hours of close scrutiny of terrain and topography and the lay of the land.

Then we sent 3 different guides into the park to find what goes and what doesn’t.

This one goes.

Let's Talk Difficulty Ratings

How difficult is it?

It’s this difficult. ->

This is Rhane’s mom, on our scouting trip. She crushed it, but really enjoyed this rock for a break spot.

A good rock needs to be sat upon.

Denali & Wildlife

Denali National Park & Preserve is home to some of the best wildlife viewing in the nation, but this particular area we travel is the high country. It’s more rock and ice and tundra than lush rich wildlife habitat.

Denali National Park is a stunning hiking trip and you’re never quite sure what you might see.

That said, bears live here, so black and brown bears are present, as can be wolves and even moose and Dall sheep. Caribou don’t tend to be in this area. Foxes and other small animals are often seen here too.

Sidehilling doesn't sound too bad

Sidehilling doesn’t quite “sound” like what it is.

When I say “bushwhacking” or “river crossing”, people seem to have a good sense of what that feels like. Sidehilling is a bit deceptive. it’s more challenging than it sounds. And it’s more challenging than you think it is.

Fortunately, we don’t have too much. Maybe a mile or so.

Backpacking and Basecamping

We’ll have a couple of versions of this trip.

A Denali Backpacking trip that works for those who really wanna get after it. We’re offering both 7 and 10 day backpacking trips for you folks who want to boot up and get walking. You’ll want to be a solid backcountry backpacker.

We can adjust these and tweak the itineraries if needed. So if you want something a little longer, or maybe a little shorter, give us a holler.

We’ll also have a basepack trip, 5 days, for those who want to fly in, backpack a short walk to camp, make a great campsite and explore the countryside. If this is you, let me know .

BACKPACK OR BASEPACK

An adventurer’s backpack.

A backpacking loop brings us back to our landing spot. There are options to do this over 10 days, or cut it shorter and just do 7.

The 10 day trip is a bit gnarlier. Be on top of your game for this one. We have a couple of high, rugged passes to traverse. Don’t be intimidated. But be comfortable on mountain terrain.

This longer one is going to be a bit exploratory in 2023. It’ll work well for those hardy, experienced, fit backpackers who really like to explore something new. If this is you, reach out to us.

7 Day Backpack

The 7 day is a good intermediate version, for those who can walk and carry their gear through most terrain.

Most of the hike is pretty good walking, with little adversity beyond the normal challenges (carrying 40 pounds on your back is hard)! We have plenty of time.

This trip will work well for most folks who can backpack. This is NOT for those people with no backpacking experience.

The Basepack is not for non-backpackers.

You’ll have to backpack a few miles from our landing strip to a campsite. And it’s a challenging hike. Steep sidehilling. Then we set up camp and walk and hike and camp and eat and sleep and watch the mountain all day long. Then we return the way we came to meet our pilot.

The first 3/4 mile or so is hard. So don’t think “oh this one looks like me, it’ll be easy”. This is a good choice for those folks who CAN backpack, but want to avoid the hassle and physical stresses of moving camp every day.

This trip is a new one for us, so we’re approaching it in 2023 with a “keep on your toes” mindset. We scouted it in 2022 and are sure this trip is set to be a firm crowd favorite.

We’ll plan on meeting you in Talkeetna, Alaska.

Why Talkeetna? Because it’s one of the hippest little towns in all of Alaska. That’s why.

From there we gear check and review, and then fly in to the most famous National Park in all of Alaska, and one of the most famous parks in the world.

Backpack and basecamp and backpack and basecamp.

Fly out, back to Talkeetna, overnight and depart.

Schedule your departure a good 24 hours later. Not the following morning, but no sooner than the following evening. Give yourself a day, or 2, in Talkeetna at the end of the trip, rather than the start. It makes life a lot less stressful in the backcountry when the weather turns south and our air taxi can’t come get us til the next morning.

We have 3 trip models this year. i) a shorter basepack for those of you wanting a sample ii) A weeklong backpacking trip looking to soak up the view. iii) a 10 day trip for those rockstars looking to get after it.

Which one is the right fit for you? Read More

How do we get to Talkeetna?

There are a few options. A number of shuttles run daily Anchorage – Talkeetna, and that’s probably your best bet, saving a rental vehicle, etc. you don’t really need a car in Talkeetna, but if you want to spend the cash, and can get a vehicle, it does make life a little easier and more flexible.

Shuttle Service through Alaska Shuttle .

Denali Overland is a great choice with daily runs between Anchorage and Talkeetna as well.

You can also take the train from Anchorage to talkeetna, which might be a fun adventure. More info is available here.

Bus schedules can be found here .

Is there any fishing here?

How much experience do i need.

It’s hard to say precisely, but if you’ve not backpacked before, it might be a good idea to go try it before flying into one of the largest and wildest national parks in the country and walking around with no trails.

That said, we have definitely had plenty of folks with no experience do just fine on even challenging trips, so it’s a very subjective thing

How are the difficulty ratings defined?

Well, “ defined ” probably isn’t the right word. This is Alaska after all. But this an important question to consider.

Click on the little hiking boot icon in the sidebar for whichever backcountry trip you’re considering and you’ll see the discussion for that particular level of trip. One boot equals easiest and five boots the most challenging option. Thanks.

As a general rule I’d suggest rating everything here one notch HIGHER  from what you might be used to (assuming you haven’t hiked in Alaska before). If you consider yourself up for an intermediate level hike assume that a trip rated intermediate here will probably be a bit tougher than you’re expecting. Not impossible, but harder than you think.

As I mentioned above, terrain is the biggest factor here and it’s extremely subjective as to what is difficult terrain and what is not.

Some people really struggle walking over a boulder field, and others don’t find it difficult at all. Some people find sidehilling more difficult, or bushwhacking, and so on. But the most common element people struggle with is almost always terrain. Your balance is probably a more important consideration than how miles you run on a treadmill each day in the gym.

One of the best ways to lower a rating is simply give yourself an extra day or 2. Make a 5 day hike a 7 day hike and it’ll much more manageable. Conversely, if you want a challenge give yourself a little less time and you’ll find just about any trip here as challenging as you could want it to be.

Again: please carefully read over the difficult rating discussion for your particular trip . It’s the boot icon in the sidebar of the trip page.

What gear do I need?

You’ll receive a Trip Departure Packet upon your reservation with a detailed Gear section and a comprehensive Gear Check List for you. Read it carefully  and be sure you have the appropriate gear with you. We’ll do a gear review before your trip but you really should contact me with any questions you have before you arrive in AK.

You’ll find tons of information on gear and related stuff on the blog . You’ll find some extensive commentary there about gear and backpacking and hiking trips, etc. Rain gear and keeping dry , down versus synthetic sleeping bags , backpacks , and so forth. I update it reasonably often, so do check out the blog posts for information. Here is a link to The Gear Category on the blog.

In the meantime this should help you get started below.

Bring a sturdy backpacking tent. Lesser ‘car camping’ tents can fail miserably when you need them the most. If you don’t have a tent, or aren’t certain, please inquire with Expeditions Alaska. We’ll rent you a tent if you prefer.

Good rain gear is a must. I recommend a lightweight, gore-tex type shell. A poncho-style rain jacket or shawl is NOT recommended (as in, DO NOT BRING ONE).

A sleeping bag that will keep you warm down to 20deg (F) is what I suggest (or lower). A 32deg (F) bag would be considered bare minimum for most Alaskan summer adventures and I do NOT recommend it. Either synthetic fill bags or down bags are great – you just need to keep them dry. Read more about your sleeping bag here .

Unless you’re booking a fully outfitted trip you’ll need to bring a reliable stove. Bring a reliable stove, preferably one that burns white gas, or Coleman fuel. MSR ‘ Whisperlite ‘ or similar stoves are great. Remember that with current restrictions on air travel it is illegal to bring fuel onto commercial planes. I can provide fuel for you, available when you arrive in Alaska.

Another stove that’s very popular recently is the Jetboil .

My preference is for long sleeve shirts and full length brushed nylon pants. A mosquito headnet is also recommended for those times when the bugs get gnarly.

Do NOT bring cotton pants, shirt, socks, etc. If you’re confused about this, contact me .

Trekking poles are worth their weight in gold. Don’t head for Alaska without them. Expeditions Alaskan provide these (free) if you like.

Definitely bring sturdy, waterproof boots. Your lightweight day hikers may be fine around town but they are often not durable enough to withstand a multi-day alpine adventure. Alaska Hiking boots info .

A comfortable backpack is required and a system for carrying gear on a dayhike is very handy. Many backpacks have removable tops and these work great. A rain cover that fits your fully loaded pack is a must have!

Another choice for is a small summit pack for dayhikes. I use the Marmot Kompressor. Not requisite but handy to have.

The single most important element of gear is your ability to use it.

Practice with your equipment before heading into the backcountry. Do not wait until you’re miles into the wilderness before you realize your stove doesn’t work or that you don’t know how to set up your tent. Being comfortable with your equipment and how to use it can be paramount to a safe and enjoyable trip.

Do you have a Gear Check List?

Oh yeah. Right here

Upon your reservation I’ll also send out a detailed Trip Information Packet with more than enough information on gear to keep you busy. Until then the above check list is a good outline of what you need.

Tell me about this “off trail” backpacking?

Typically, it doesn’t mean we go “off the trail “. It means there is NO trail. These are two very different things.

Offtrail hiking, or no trail hiking, is hard at times, easy at others, and very hard at others. It’s almost always changing, and not something you should dismiss as irrelevant. In fact, it’s probably the single most important thing to understand about our backpacking trips .

I’ll say that again. Louder. It’s probably the single most important thing to understand about our backpacking trips.

When we say offtrail backpacking we’re talking about traversing boulder fields, hiking through dense brush, over steep scree and talus slopes and walking for hours on steep grassy mountainsides. All of which are harder than you think they are.

I’ll keep this post brief, but you can read a lot more about this subject (and I recommend that you do) on this blog post .

Click the link and read that post. Thoroughly.

It’s important.

What comes with the Food Add-on?

If you’d like, Expeditions Alaska can handle your backcountry food for the trip. Cost depends on trip length, but it’s typically $325 for a 2-4 day trip, and $425 for a trip 5 days or longer (backcountry days).

We will organize and pack the food, handle all backcountry prep, as well as pots and pans, the stove/s, fuel and your mess kit. Assistance for cleanup and dishes is always appreciated, but not requisite.

NB: this means, if we’re doing food for your trip, you must arrive with requisite space in your backpack for your share of the food. This typically means a  BV500 , sized 8.7 in. diameter. (22.1cm) x 12.7 in. (32.3cm) height. There’ll also be your mess kit (cup, bowl, cutlery, etc) and maybe some additional group gear, whether it’s a fuel bottle, stove or pan or skillet. In general your guide will carry the bulk of this stuff, but we certainly can’t and don’t intend to carry all of it. So don’t arrive with a backpack packed full, no space left in it, if we’re doing your food for you. Your food goes in your pack.

More info linked on the page below.

All your questions about our backcountry food answered right here .

How should I structure my travel arrangements?

Travel suggestions.

3 pieces of advice

• Do  NOT  book your commercial flight early the next morning. The later the better. Better still, the day after that,
• Book a refundable/changeable ticket for your return flight home, and
• Purchase travel insurance.

Itinerary caveats

I put trip itineraries online here to give visitors a more detailed look at some of our trips and what options they include.

I can’t over-emphasize that each is simply an example.

What I work hardest on is tailoring trips to the specific interests and abilities and experience of the people who hike with us. No 2 trips are the same. Where possible we don’t use the same campsites when we do a route and we often even vary the route when appropriate to do so.

I try to be flexible with how far we hike each day and how many days we spend in the backcountry. What time we get up in the morning, for example, is largely up to the trip participants (unless for some reason I feel we need to be up and on the trail by a particular time – this rarely happens).

Itineraries are somewhat fluid. As they should be. Weather, hiker experience and many other factors determine the actual trip.

So don’t expect the itinerary for a trip to match an outline of Day 1 we hike abc, Day 2 we hike xyz, etc, etc. It doesn’t (and in my opinion shouldn’t) work that way. The itineraries listed on this site are

a) to outline the travel time and logistics for you, and

b) attempt to help give you some sense of the route and how it goes.

But with wilderness trail-less backpacking routes, these kinds of structured itineraries are really not very useful.

What’s Included/Not Included?

All trips and trip prices include the following.

* Professional Guide Service: Experience is paramount, as is a friendly, flexible atmosphere for your trip, and Expeditions Alaska go out of our way to bring that to the backcountry. I know the routes, the natural history and the place as well as anyone, and all the best campsites! Backcountry camping in Alaska can be intimidating for a novice and even for some intermediate and experienced hikers. A qualified guide service can go a long way to minimizing problems that may come up. Customers returning for seven eight nine ten consecutive hiking trips with Expeditions Alaska speaks volumes for the value of a good guide.

* Travel and Accommodations: Expeditions Alaska typically offers a complete Door-to-Door service .

For example, for our Wrangell-St. Elias National Park trips, we’ll pick you up from your hotel in Anchorage, drive to McCarthy in our comfortable conversion van, stay the night at the Kennecott River Lodge, enjoy a hot breakfast the following morning in McCarthy, then fly into the backcountry. Backpack and hike for your trip, fly back to McCarthy, have the afternoon in and around McCarthy, exploring the Kennecott Glacier, or the old mines up at Kennecott, spend another night at the Kennecott River Lodge, and drive back to Anchorage the final day, right to your hotel in Anchorage.

For the ANWR trips, we’ll usually travel from Fairbanks to Coldfoot or Kaktovik by plane, then fly into the backcountry. Whether we pick you up at your hotel in Fairbanks or not will depend on whether we’re driving or flying north. If we fly, we’ll meet you at the airport. If we’re driving, we’ll pick you up.

For all other trips, check first as to exactly what the plan is .

* Gear: We can provide all cookware, fuel, etc for the trip. Feel free to let us know if you’d like to bring your own. We can get the fuel you need as it’s not possible for you to fly with any fuel in your luggage. If you would prefer a fully outfitted trip we can accommodate that. You’ll need to bring your personal gear, such as a sleeping bag and backpack. We’ll also provide bear-resistant food canisters and bear spray for the trip. Expeditions Alaska trips will also provide a cook tent for the trip. We also provide hiking poles for you if you don’t have your own.

* Safety: Any professional guide service puts safety first. This means caution, it means responsibility and it means an excellent knowledge of the area: the terrain, wildlife and travel, backcountry camping and safety. Fully qualified Wilderness First Aid certification. A satellite phone available for emergency backcountry service if necessary and a backup emergency messaging device such as Delorme inReach or PLB. We bring a GPS, map and compass on every route we do. This is an owner-operated business and all participants can feel confident knowing they’re not getting an intern or inexperienced guide for their trip.

* Storage: Extra travel items that won’t be needed while we’re in the backcountry (limited space available).

What’s Not Included?

Expeditions Alaska do not provide the following unless otherwise specified.

a) food and camping gear — Expeditions Alaska will outfit your trip if you would like us to. For a minimal addition in cost, I’m glad to supply food and camping gear (you will need your own personal gear, such as a sleeping bag, pad, clothes, pack, etc). Any specific items you may need help with, just send me an email or call me and I’ll work it out for you.

b) travel arrangements to Anchorage from outside Alaska.

c) trip insurance. Our suggestion is Travelex .

d) travel meals. Any hotel or lodge meals we eat in the frontcountry are not included in your price. So if we stop to eat along the road, for example, we do not pick up the tab for that.

d) guide gratuities.

Please note

The ANWR and Gates of the Arctic National Park trips include all travel (return) from Fairbanks to Coldfoot, or from Fairbanks to Kaktovik, where we fly into the Refuge, as well as rafts, dry bags, etc. The Icy Bay and Malaspina Glacier trips start and end in Yakutat, Alaska. Because of the nature of backcountry adventure, trips vary year to year. Each trip is also available for longer or shorter durations, and trip prices vary accordingly. Similarly, group bookings (3 or more participants) can receive substantial discounts.

For more information, contact us using the Contact Form here .

All clients complete the backcountry waiver before departing for any of our trips.

Cancellation policy

Reserving your place on a trip requires a 50% deposit. Deposits are non-refundable. All trips MUST be paid in full 45 days prior to the scheduled departure date.

If the client cancels on a trip paid in full, 90% of the price can be deferred to another trip within the next 12 months, provided that

i) Expeditions Alaska is able to fill the spot, ii) the trip is full and iii) 30 days notice is given.

If cancellation is within 30 days of the trip only 75% of the fee can be carried over to a future trip. No refunds are given for cancellations within 14 days of the trip departure.

Expeditions Alaska reserves the right to cancel and/or modify the itinerary of a trip. You will be refunded your payment in full if Expeditions Alaska cancels your trip.

If weather or other factors delay or impede your trip, there will be no refund of fees. Expeditions Alaska is not responsible for any other costs incurred by the client as a result of the cancellation. Additional costs incurred through weather delays and itinerary changes are the responsibility of the client.

Why are there so many questions?

At the same time, the rewards and the thrill of a place like this are also unique. I’ve no question at all that if you’ve read this far, you’ll love your Alaska backpacking trip, whether it’s with me, or another guiding service, or a trip you take on your own. Just be careful out there.

Happy Trails!

I still have more questions

We all do. Questions are good. That’s how we learn. Either give me a call or send me an email and we’ll go through them.

I also send out a comprehensive Trip Information Packet upon your reservation and that will usually answer your questions.

You May Also Like

The Brooks Range. Backpacking in the Arctic just got even better.

On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, five hiking boots is right up there.

1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy 2 boots = easier backpacking trip 3 boots = intermediate level trip 4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking 5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?

Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level LOWER on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states.

Expect it to be tougher than you think it will. At least in part, anyway. Some sections will inevitably be easier. Some will make you feel it.

One of the best hikers I’ve walked with, Ben, said it perfectly one day, as we traversed a step sidehill on the Southern Traverse. “Man, Alaska just beats you up, doesn’t it?”

And he’s right. It does. Don’t be fooled by the low mileages and the lower elevations. The catch is the difficulty of traversing rugged country with no trails. However much you think that might impact you, double it.

You need to be athletic, well balanced, in good shape, and an experienced backpacker for this kind of trip. If you’re not that .. well, don’t say you weren’t well warned.

An epic backpack for the ages. Crisscross the divide and explore the Arctic.

Backpacking the Arctic Refuge

A Trail of Glory. Backpacking the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Intermediate

On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, three hiking boots is smack in the middle.

If you consider yourself up for an intermediate level hike, for example, assume that a trip rated intermediate here will probably be a bit tougher than you’re expecting; not impossible, but harder than you think. Intermediate level trips don’t mean you won’t be challenged, won’t struggle at times, and won’t have any easy sections either. On any trip you’ll probably find some easy sections, some harder, and some are challenging.

Also, understand that all these rating are so completely subjective that they’re not entirely all together practical. They’re a VERY loose idea of how the trips might compare to one another, for some people.

Lastly, understand that even a trip we might rate as “intermediate” (3-4 hiking boots) may still have some difficulty at times. Weather changes things. There may be a tough steep climb on the route that takes a few hours.

Above the Circle. Backpacking the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

65 miles. No Trail. No people. Just Wild.

A challenging backpacking trek through the eastern reaches of the Chugach Mountains. Not for the faint of heart. But we'll get you there.

Backpacking Trips

Backpacking trips are point-to-point routes where we fly-in to a backcountry airstrip then hike to a different strip for the return flight. You should have some backpacking experience before taking on one of these. Usually we move camp everyday so you need to be able to carry a load and meet challenges along the way.

Unique Alaska high country backpacking route with amazing views, waterfalls, hanging glaciers…Our #1 trip for spotting wildlife including black and brown bears, dall sheep, mountain goats and caribou. Those with an interest in Alaska geology will love this trip - geodes, fossils and more abound.

This is our ultimate Alaskan sampler trek with a lot of variety over the route. Terrain runs from glaciers to verdant valleys to high lonesome passes. If you think you will only go on one Alaska backpacking trip, this one should be on the short list.

Allie's Alpine Traverse

High alpine lakes, lush green valleys and views that change every day make this one of our top routes. Many folks find this the perfect mix of challenge and reward. It will test you at times but it doesn't go over the top into extreme challenge.

Alpine Gold Miners

Guide's Choice!  This trip is a consistent favorite with our guides. Remote Alaskan adventure with amazing ridge walks, stunning views of snow covered peaks near and far plus a bit of gold mining history. Trek Alaska pioneered this route and it is very lightly travelled. If you seek solitude this is the one!

Lake Clark Alpine

Alpine route through amazing Alaska lake country in the heart of Lake Clark National Park. This is a lake to lake backpacking trip with the added bonus of opportunities to fish at the lakes along the way. Trip originates with flight out of Anchorage so the day we depart is same day we start backpacking in this Alaska gem of a park. Challenging at times but overall not in the overly challenging range.

Arrigetch Peaks - Gates of the Arctic

Explore one of the most stunning spots in Gate of the Arctic National Parlk in the heart of Alaska’s Brooks Range. The Arrigetch Peaks will leave a lasting impression. A challenging backpacking trip so you need to be ready. The payoff for the rugged hiking terrain is the chance to get up close to the unique granite spires of the Arrigetch bowl.

Talkeetna Mts High Country

Great Alaska backpacking trip with moderate terrain and easy logistics. Trip departs out of Anchorage and has you in the backcounty by lunch same day! Reasonable cost and  solitude on this backpacking trip in a seldom visited part of Alaska!

Wrangell/Skyscraper

An extremely challenging Alaska backpacking trip recommended only for those with extensive backpacking experienced including experience on Alaskan routes. Very rugged and steep terrain but the reward is the chance to see Alaskan country that only a handful have travelled. One of the only routes that passes through the rugged Wrangell range. A great capper to a wilderness travel career.

Denali S.P. - Kesugi Ridge

Shorter, closer to Anchorage - ridge walk with awesome Denali views! Great for those not looking for a hard core Alaska trip. We do backpack most days on this trip but once we hump it up the ridge the terrain eases back a bit. Good for fit beginners.

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