Where to Hike: Anchorage, Alaska
COVID-19 has drastically changed the way we play and travel . If you’re anything like me, you might have found yourself very thankful over the last few months that hiking is an inherently socially distant pastime.
While I’m sure we will be able to travel again one day, in the meantime perhaps one of the best things we can do to help our economy is to ‘think globally and act locally’. And that includes travelling within our own county, state or country.
I’m pleased to be sharing my latest blog series to help you plan “Where to Hike” in the US. I’ve reached out to local tourism destinations, outfitters, accommodations and more to put these together (as well as used my own experience in some cases), so please consider clicking on the links and checking them out when you plan your next backpacking trip!
In the northwest corner of the Americas, Alaska is the largest and least populated state in the Union, and home to some of the most awe-inspiring sights you’ll ever see. A vast landscape that’s as beautiful as it is wild, Alaska is a natural wonderland full of rugged mountains, ancient glaciers, roaring rivers and majestic animals.
I had the pleasure of exploring the backcountry surrounding the state capital of Juneau back in 2018 (you can watch the full episode of Trackin' Dirt below).
It was an amazing trip. I watched the Northern Lights dance across the sky, explored the icy depths of the Mendenhall Glacier, and hiked some seriously steep and beautiful ridgelines. I was planning my next trip to Alaska before I even left.
So with that in mind, let's pretend I'm going back for realsies, but this time let's try out Anchorage.
Anchorage, Alaska
Getty Images/Eugen Marculescu
Nestled between the vast Cook Inlet and sprawling Chugach State Park, Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska, covering more terrain than the entire state of Rhode Island.
While many of Alaska’s iconic destinations are only reachable by small plane, water taxi, or a lengthy drive, Anchorage’s pristine hiking trails — and the wilderness areas they reach — are an awe-inspiring exception.
In Anchorage there is no need to travel far to find a top-notch trailhead with world-class views. With hundreds of miles of wilderness hiking trails, the city is inarguably the gateway to accessible Alaska wilderness.
Chugach State Park and adjacent Chugach National Forest are home to some of Alaska’s top outdoor attractions: the broad, bikeable Trail of Blue Ice; the popular Flattop Mountain; the accessible Byron and Portage Glaciers; the blueberry-lined routes around Arctic Valley; the breathtaking Thunderbird Falls; and the bright turquoise waters of Eklutna Lake, to name a few.
Below are two epic Anchorage hikes everyone should check out.
Where to Hike
Flattop Mountain
Get warmed up for your Anchorage adventures with a hike to Flattop Moutain.
The 3.5-mile trail begins with a steady climb up from the parking lot, then levels out as you reach the upper sections of aptly named Blueberry Hill.
Flattop Mountain — named for its recognizable flat summit — looms to the south, and the trail dips into a slight valley before making the climb to the Second Saddle.
Railroad ties form a rough staircase for parts of the ascent, but prepare for some rock scrambling as you draw closer to the summit.
Watch for a panoramic perspective of the Anchorage Bowl, distant Denali views, and a clear line of sight toward Mount Susitna, the massive wind turbines of Fire Island, the Alaska Range to the west and the Chugach Mountains to the east.
How to get there:
3101 Glen Alps Road Anchorage, AK 99516. The road to the trailhead involves several steep switchbacks; 4WD may be necessary in wet, snowy, or icy conditions.
Keep in mind, you'll need to purchase a day pass from Chugach State Park when you arrive at the trailhead.
Rendezvous Ridge
Rendezvous Ridge sounds like the perfect place to meet up. The 3.5-mile loop trail traces the eastern edge of Arctic Valley, carrying hikers above low-lying clouds for birds-eye views of Eagle River and the rolling, rocky peaks of the Chugach Mountains.
Get ready for awe-inspiring inclines and only-in-Alaska views.
This photogenic loop is studded with scenic overlooks, semi-aerial views of the city, and thick blueberry patches (in season).
How to get there:
Drive to the end of 7-mile Arctic Valley Road, accessible via the Glenn Highway just 10 minutes east of downtown Anchorage.
Parking permit required; available for purchase at trailhead.
Know Before You Go
COVID Considerations
All travelers are required to bring proof of a negative qualifying COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to travel.
Upon arrival, visitors are asked to avoid indoor public spaces — all the more reason to get out there and explore those trails!
Get the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 here.
Indigenous Land Acknowledgment
Anchorage is located on the traditional and present homelands of the Dena’ina people. Plan a trip to the Alaska Native Heritage Centre in Anchorage to learn more.