Best Hikes in Alaska — Complete 2026 Guide

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Best Hikes in Alaska — Complete 2026 Guide

Table of Contents

Introduction
 Best Hikes in Alaska: Parks and Regions
Denali National Park and Preserve
 Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
 Kenai Fjords National Park
Chugach National Forest
 Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
Safety and Precautions
 Practical Tips and Essentials
Summary and Checklist

Introduction

Alaska is a paradise for hikers, offering some of the most breathtaking landscapes and diverse ecosystems in the world. With its vast wilderness areas, towering mountains, and pristine coastlines, the Last Frontier is a hiker’s dream destination. From the rugged beauty of Denali National Park to the stunning fjords of Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska has something to offer every kind of hiker. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you on a journey through the best hikes in Alaska, providing you with essential information on trail names, distances, elevations, difficulty ratings, and more.

Best Hikes in Alaska: Parks and Regions

Before we dive into the best hikes in Alaska, it’s essential to understand the different parks and regions that offer hiking opportunities. Here are some of the top national parks and forests in Alaska:

Denali National Park and Preserve: Located in interior Alaska, this park is home to North America’s highest peak, Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley).
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve: Located in southeastern Alaska, this park is the largest national park in the United States.
 Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve: Located in southeastern Alaska, this park is known for its breathtaking glaciers and fjords.
Kenai Fjords National Park: Located on the Kenai Peninsula, this park is home to stunning fjords and glaciers.
 Chugach National Forest: Located near Anchorage, this forest offers numerous hiking opportunities with stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

Denali National Park and Preserve

Denali National Park is a hiker’s paradise, offering breathtaking views of North America’s highest peak. Here are some of the best hikes in the park:

Wonder Lake Trail: A 14-mile round-trip hike that takes you to the shores of Wonder Lake, offering stunning views of Denali.
 Horseshoe Lake Trail: A 5.5-mile round-trip hike that takes you to a picturesque lake surrounded by stunning scenery.
Toklat River Trail: A 12-mile round-trip hike that takes you along the Toklat River, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is the largest national park in the United States, offering numerous hiking opportunities with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Here are some of the best hikes in the park:

Kennecott Ghost Town Trail: A 6.5-mile round-trip hike that takes you to the abandoned town of Kennecott, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Root Glacier Trail: A 6.5-mile round-trip hike that takes you to the Root Glacier, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
 Bremner Lake Trail: A 10-mile round-trip hike that takes you to a picturesque lake surrounded by stunning scenery.

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

Glacier Bay National Park is known for its breathtaking glaciers and fjords. Here are some of the best hikes in the park:

West Arm Trail: A 10-mile round-trip hike that takes you to the shores of the West Arm, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
 Margerie Glacier Trail: A 6.5-mile round-trip hike that takes you to the Margerie Glacier, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Fairweather Mountain Trail: A 14-mile round-trip hike that takes you to the summit of Fairweather Mountain, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

Kenai Fjords National Park

Kenai Fjords National Park is home to stunning fjords and glaciers. Here are some of the best hikes in the park:

Exit Glacier Trail: A 1.5-mile round-trip hike that takes you to the Exit Glacier, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Bernard Lake Trail: A 4.5-mile round-trip hike that takes you to a picturesque lake surrounded by stunning scenery.
 Aialik Bay Trail: A 10-mile round-trip hike that takes you to the shores of Aialik Bay, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

Chugach National Forest

Chugach National Forest is located near Anchorage and offers numerous hiking opportunities with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Here are some of the best hikes in the forest:

Flattop Mountain Trail: A 3.5-mile round-trip hike that takes you to the summit of Flattop Mountain, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
 O’Malley Peak Trail: A 4.5-mile round-trip hike that takes you to the summit of O’Malley Peak, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Powerline Trail: A 6.5-mile round-trip hike that takes you to a stunning viewpoint overlooking the surrounding mountains.

Tony Knowles Coastal Trail

The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is a 11-mile trail that runs along the coast of Anchorage, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and waterways. Here are some of the best sections of the trail:

Kincaid Park Section: A 4-mile section of the trail that takes you through Kincaid Park, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Flattop Mountain Section: A 3-mile section of the trail that takes you to the summit of Flattop Mountain, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
 Westchester Lagoon Section: A 2-mile section of the trail that takes you to a picturesque lake surrounded by stunning scenery.

Safety and Precautions

Hiking in Alaska can be challenging, and it’s essential to be prepared for the unexpected. Here are some safety and precaution tips to keep in mind:

Bear Safety: Alaska is home to numerous bears, including grizzly bears and black bears. Make sure to carry bear spray and know how to use it.
 Weather: Alaska’s weather can be unpredictable, with sudden changes in temperature and precipitation. Make sure to pack layers and a waterproof jacket.
Daylight: Alaska has limited daylight during the winter months, with as little as 5 hours of daylight in December. Make sure to plan your hikes accordingly.
 Permits: Some hikes in Alaska require permits, including the Wonder Lake Trail and the Root Glacier Trail. Make sure to check with park rangers before heading out.

Practical Tips and Essentials

Here are some practical tips and essentials to keep in mind when hiking in Alaska:

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Alaska for hiking is during the summer months (June to August), when the weather is warm and daylight is long.
 What to Bring: Make sure to pack layers, a waterproof jacket, bear spray, a first aid kit, and a map.
Permits: Make sure to check with park rangers for any necessary permits before heading out.
 Guides: Consider hiring a guide for more challenging hikes, especially in areas with grizzly bears.

Summary and Checklist

Here’s a summary of the best hikes in Alaska, along with a checklist of essentials to keep in mind:

Best Hikes in Alaska:
 Denali National Park and Preserve: Wonder Lake Trail, Horseshoe Lake Trail, Toklat River Trail
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve: Kennecott Ghost Town Trail, Root Glacier Trail, Bremner Lake Trail
 Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve: West Arm Trail, Margerie Glacier Trail, Fairweather Mountain Trail
Kenai Fjords National Park: Exit Glacier Trail, Bernard Lake Trail, Aialik Bay Trail
 Chugach National Forest: Flattop Mountain Trail, O’Malley Peak Trail, Powerline Trail
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail: Kincaid Park Section, Flattop Mountain Section, Westchester Lagoon Section
 Essentials to Keep in Mind:
Bear Safety: carry bear spray and know how to use it
 Weather: pack layers and a waterproof jacket
Daylight: plan hikes accordingly during winter months
 Permits: check with park rangers for necessary permits
* Guides: consider hiring a guide for more challenging hikes

Plan Your Alaska Adventure

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