The best hikes in Alaska provide beautiful scenery to admire and trail conditions to match the experience.
Plus, hiking the well-trodden paths means there is a lower risk of encountering a bear.
Here are six of the top-rated places for hiking in Alaska:
Flattop Mountain (Anchorage)
The Flattop Mountain trail provides gorgeous views of Cook Inlet, Chugach Mountain, and Anchorage, and one of the most popular trails to visit. The hiking trail has an elevation gain of 1350-ft and is 1.5 miles in length.
This is a busy trail with many other hikers likely to be met on the course of the path. Use the local shuttle service for the most convenient method to reach the trailhead.
Exit Glacier
Exit Glacier gives a perfect opportunity to explore glaciers up close with a trail that is road accessible and just a 15-minute drive from Seward.
The actual hike is short and can take 15-20 minutes to complete and arrive at the glacier. This hiking area has a visitor’s center to give advice and even a guided tour if preferred.
Horseshoe Lake
Horseshoe Lake is a popular destination for hiking in Alaska and situated close to the Denali Park Entrance. It is well-developed and approx 3 miles in length (there and back).
Great features of this well-managed hiking trail include the scenic views of Nenana Lake. The completion time for this path is easily within 60-minutes and because of its popularity, there will be many other hikers on the path.
For a more interesting hike, it is possible to sign up for a guided walk which makes it possible to learn more about the fauna and flora along the course of the path.
Tony Knowles Coastal
The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is a stunning coastal path that stretches 11 miles and gives the chance to admire the Anchorage wilderness in all its glory. This path is popular for a variety of outdoor activities, including cycling, running, and walking.
Great features of the Tony Knowles Coastal trail include the scenery such as Mt. McKinley, downtown Anchorage, and the Chugach Mountains. This is an urban path that minimizes the risks of sighting bears, but there is a chance of seeing moose in parts closer to Kincaid Park.
Eagle River Nature Center
The Eagle River Nature Center has a number of wonderful hiking trails in the local area. It is situated about 40-minutes from the northern edge of Anchorage. A popular trail is the Rodak Nature Trail, which is just a ¾ mile loop with great scenery.
This trail is protected by Alaska State Parks which means the trail cannot be disturbed in any way. Another great looping trail is the Albert loop at 3 miles in length.
Because of the short length of these trails there tends to be a lot of other hikers nearby.
Ward Lake
Based in the Ketchikan area, the Ward Lake trail is a popular destination with hikers and this path is gravel-based and easily walked for the beginners.
This trail is about 1.5 miles in length and helps to connect to several other sites, including fishing, camping, and picnicking.