Alaska is America's final frontier — a vast wilderness state where glaciers calve into fjords, brown bears fish alongside bald eagles, and the aurora borealis paints the night sky in emerald and violet. The largest US state by area covers 1.7 million square kilometres yet holds fewer than 750,000 people, making it one of the least densely populated places on Earth. From Anchorage's urban sophistication to Denali's soaring summit, from the Inside Passage's towering rainforests to the Arctic's endless tundra, Alaska offers unmatched natural grandeur.
Top trails
Routes worth lacing up your boots for.
Trail difficulty levels
Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.
Mostly flat, well-marked paths. Suitable for families and casual walkers.
Some elevation gain, longer distances. Requires basic fitness.
Significant climbs and exposure. Requires good fitness and route-finding.
Technical terrain, scrambling, or alpine conditions. Experience essential.
When to hike
Seasonal conditions in Alaska.
- Items
Local hazards
What to watch out for on the trail.
Hazard: Bears — both black bears and brown/grizzly bears are present on nearly all Alaska trails; carry bear spray and make noise
Hazard: River crossings — glacial melt rivers run fast and cold; never cross above knee depth without poles and a waist-belt undone
Hazard: Weather — storms move in rapidly; always carry rain gear and extra insulation
Hazard: Mosquitoes — Interior Alaska has dense mosquitoes June-July; DEET 30%+ and head nets are essential
Hazard: Permafrost terrain — tussock (mounded grass) terrain in tundra is ankle-twisting and exhausting; allow extra time
Hazard: Snowfields — early and late season trails have snow and ice; microspikes or crampons are often needed above 3,000 ft