Best Hikes in Alaska
Best Hikes in Alaska
Alaska is a dream destination spot in the U.S. and for good reason. There are endless activities to do year round, and hiking in the summer is definitely a main attraction. This blog post will go through some of the best hikes in Alaska and my personal favorite hikes in the beautiful last frontier. As a local to Alaska I love where I’m from and hope that fellow travelers and adventurers will practice the leave no trace principles to keep Alaska looking wild and beautiful. Happy hiking!
Chugach State Park: Mount Tucker:
This hike is not listed on Alltrails so, this is coming to you from someone like myself that lives in the area. Mount Tucker is one of three hikes off of the main hike in the area. The full hike is called Mount Magnificent and is a 5.9 mile trail that is rated as difficult. If you are wanting great views, but a shorter route then Mount Tucker is definitely a great option.
Location:
Located in Eagle River, Alaska about 15 miles outside of Anchorage (which is the biggest city in the state).
Elevation Gain:
Total elevation more than 2,000 ft.
Route:
Out-and-Back
Difficulty:
Hard
About:
Mount Tucker is apart of the trail Mount Magnificent which is 5.9 miles long and over 3,000 ft in elevation gain, there is also another trail that branches off of this trail called the Iron Nipple. All three hikes are a great option, it mostly depends on weather conditions and how much time you have in the area.
Tips:
- Mount Tucker is not located on the Alltrails app, so you’ll want to type in ‘Mount Magnificent’ to reach the trail head.
- The parking lot at the start of the trailhead is a small, dirt, parking lot that can be easily missed, but there will most likely be other vehicles there as it is a fairly popular trail.
- All three of the trails mentioned above start at the same trailhead. Once you reach the saddle, you will see a fork in the trail. If you take the left trail it will lead you up to what is called the Iron Nipple, if you continue right you will reach Mount Tucker and if you choose to keep going you’ll reach the final peak which is called Mount Magnificent.
- All three trails are definitely thigh burners and quite steep. My husband and I did this trail when I was 33 weeks pregnant and I was carrying a toddler as well as a pack, so around 45 pounds total.
- We did this hike in early spring, so there was still some snow at the top and the trail was a bit muddy in some spots. If you’re planning on hiking this in the spring, be prepared for rain and cold weather at the summit.
Chugach National Forest: Twin Peaks Trail
A great hike that is not too difficult and can be as long or as short as you decide. If you’re visiting in the summer months you can cool off and relax in Eklutna Lake after your hike. It’s the perfect spot for summer adventures.
Location:
Located in the Chugach State Park at Eklutna lake is this awesome hike. Park at the Eklutna Lake parking lot, where you will pay a parking fee, walk away from the parking area towards the bridge and then follow the sign up the mountain.
Elevation Gain:
Approximately 2,700
Route:
Out-and-Back
Difficulty:
Moderate
About:
The full hike is called Pepper Peak, which is an 8.4 mile out-and-back trail that is rated as moderate. There are two benches on the trail that offer great views of Eklutna Lake. To reach the benches it’s about a 2.6 mile out-and-back hike, with amazing views.
Tips:
- You will be hiking in bear country so take precautions. This trail pretty regularly has bear sightings, so make sure you take your bear spray and hike in a group if possible.
- Bring snacks and water as there are several switchbacks and parts of the trail can be steep.
- If you’re hiking this in early spring (we hiked this trail in early April) the lake will still be mostly frozen, and there will still be patches of snow on the trail so be prepared for the weather.
- Always bring a jacket as it’s typically cold and windy at the summit, especially in Alaska.
- Wear a sturdy pair of hiking shoes, I like these https://www.danner.com/women-s-mountain-600-4-5-brown-red.html
Kenai Fjords National Park: Harding Ice Field Trail
Many people dream about visiting every National Park, but especially National Parks in Alaska because, they are truly so wild. The Harding Ice Field Trail did not disappoint with amazing views of Exit Glacier. A must do if you’re visiting the Seward, Alaska area.
Location:
This trail is located in Kenai Fjords National Park, it’s super easy to find as there are only a handful of maintained trails in this National Park.
Elevation Gain:
About 3,812 ft
Route:
Out-and-Back
Difficulty:
Hard
About:
Kenai Fjords National Park’s main attraction is Exit Glacier. Hence the name, the glacier is disappearing or exiting and it was very interesting to see where it used to be hundreds of years ago. It makes you really think about your actions when spending time in nature and to be more mindful of how you choose to live. So it’s definitely worth checking out.
Tips:
- This is one of the few National Parks that does not require an entrance fee, so it is free to do this hike and explore the area.
- This is a popular trail so definitely expect some traffic on the trail and use proper hiking etiquette.
- You really should bring bear spray on every hike with you during your time in Alaska, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
- We hiked this trail in early June and there was still too much snow to make it to the top, along with several avalanche warnings. We made it to Marmot Meadows, which is still a very epic vantage point if you choose not to hike the whole trail.
- While we did this hike there was a bear on the trail, we didn’t see it but another hiker informed us of his bear sighting. There was also another hiker who fell and broke his leg, so use caution if you’re planning on hiking this in the spring or early summer.
- We completed this hike when I was 35 weeks pregnant and carrying a toddler, so it was definitely a thigh burner, but still doable.
Eagle River: Mount Baldy
If you are visiting the Anchorage area and have time for only a few hikes, or even one hike, this is your hike! It’s not too challenging and you are rewarded with insane views all along the trail, not just at the summit. Definitely one of the best hikes in Alaska.
Location:
Located near Eagle River, Alaska which is around 15 miles North of Anchorage. It is a great option if you don’t have a lot of time to hike, or if you don’t want to drive too far away from the Anchorage area.
Elevation Gain:
Around 1,200 ft.
Route:
Loop trail
Difficulty:
Moderate
About:
Mount Baldy is a 2.9 heavily trafficked loop trail with amazing views and is the perfect option for a day hike. You don’t have to take the loop trail, this hike can also be completed as an out-and-back trail when you reach the summit.
Tips:
- This trail is definitely a busier trail (even for Alaska) as it is located close to Anchorage and isn’t a very long hike.
- Although it is heavily trafficked, you should always be prepared with bear spray since you will still be hiking in bear country.
- There is no fee for parking, but make sure you park in the designated parking area.
- If you are planning to hike this in the spring (we completed the trail in May) be prepared for mud on the trail and patches of snow.
- If you are carrying a heavy pack or one of your kids, trekking poles honestly make all the difference. They also help with balance as some of the trail is very narrow and if you fall, it would be down an entire mountainside. My husband is afraid of heights and still did fine on this hike, even where it gets a bit narrow.
- The summit is beautiful so make sure you have a camera with you because, you won’t want to miss out on any of the views.
Lazy Moose Hiking Trail:
This hike shares the same trail head as Lazy Mountain which is what locals like to call one of the hardest hikes in the Palmer, Alaska area. It definitely gets your blood pumping, but it does have some amazing views. If you take the Lazy Moose trailhead it is slightly easier (still rated difficult) but has several switch backs that make it less steep.
Location:
Located in the Matanuska Valley in Palmer, Alaska. To find this hike search, Lazy Mountain Trail in the Alltrails app. They share the same trailhead but Lazy Mountain is a bit longer as it has more switch backs to make it a bit less steep.
Elevation Gain:
Approximately 3,000 ft
Route:
Loop trail
Difficulty:
Hard
About:
This is a 5.6 mile moderately trafficked trail in Palmer, Alaska. This side of the trail is considered ‘easier’ than the Lazy Mountain trail. It is still rated as difficult, but is a bit longer due to several switchbacks.
Tips:
- Don’t let the name fool you, this is definitely not a lazy hike.
- Pay for parking at the fee station or you will most likely be ticketed.
- Ironically when we did this hike in May, there was a moose calf sighted on the trail, so we decided to turn around because, during this time of the year mother moose are extremely protective over their young and very dangerous.
- As always bring your bear spray and hike in a group if possible.
- Bring mosquito repellent as the beginning of this hike is in a heavily forested area and Alaskan mosquitos are huge and very agitating.
- Bring plenty of water and snacks as this is not an easy hike.
In Conclusion:
I hope this post was helpful in sharing some of the best hikes in Alaska. If you have any questions let me know in the comments, or reach out to me on Instagram/Tiktok @thedestinationtrekker