Explore the best rated trails in Whittier, AK, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Bird to Gird Pathway and Glenn Highway Trail . With more than 6 trails covering 46 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Trail is basically on the right-of-way of Alaska 1, a four lane highway, so there is a lot of traffic noise. The views of the mountains alleviates the noise. The mile close to Anchorage is rough, but is smooth after Muldoon Road. No major road crossings. No water or toilets. There are toilets at Davis Park at the west end of the trail.
You can connect with Ship Creek Trail by a marked Bike Boulevard through a residential area about a mile long. Google maps does not show this route, but shows Mountain View Drive as bike friendly, which is a four lane street with no bike lanes, don't go that way.
Gave this route 3 stars due to lack of facilities and traffic noise.
This is a little used paved trail around Goose Lake. Trail goes through the trees with only a few views of the lake. Surface is rough and deteriorated so be careful. Good turnaround if coming from the coastal trail on the Chester Creek trail. Portable toilet at the beach house. Gave it 3 stars due to short length, poor surface and no water.
Most of this trail has industrial on one side and creek on the other. Not much traffic as tourists don't usually ride this trail but should as ride is scenic on the creek side. Safe area. Entrance to the trail is 2 blocks east and 2 blocks north of train station on A street before you cross the bridge. Few hills. No water of restrooms so I marked this trail 4 stars rather than 5.
Most of this trail has industrial on one side and creek on the other. Not much traffic as tourists don't usually ride this trail but should as ride is scenic on the creek side. Safe area. Entrance to the trail is 2 blocks east and 2 blocks north of train station on A street before you cross the bridge. Few hills. No water of restrooms so I marked this trail 4 stars rather than 5.
I am visiting Anchorage for the week and I am happy to see an abundance of local trails available.
Campbell Creek Trail follows the Campbell Creek through Anchorage. You will feel like you are in nature even though you are running through the heart of the city. Most areas were wooded and/or had a view of the creek. Yet, you feel close enough to civilization that you don't feel like you will be mauled by a bear!
Because it runs along the creek, the course is relatively flat. The course does have a gradual include when going Eastbound (opposite of the rivers flow). My watch shows a gain of 150 feet over 8 miles (4 miles out and back).
There is a parking area at Taku Lake Park North (near intersection of King St. & E 76th Ave.). Holds about 30 cars. Can be busy at times.
There is a Greenbelt parking area near intersection of Fischer Ave. & Lynnwood Dr. Holds about a dozen cars.
At Campbell Park there is a new parking area on the east side of Lake Otis Pkwy., 200 ft north of the Campbell Creek bridge. Holds about 30 cars. South of the bridge 200 ft is another parking area off E 48th Ave. (also on the east side of Lake Otis Pkwy.). Holds about 20 cars; may be busy at times as there is a playground adjacent to it. Directly from these parking areas you can follow the Campbell Cr. Trail easterly (upstream). To travel westerly on the trail: Take the bike path south along Lake Otis Pkwy., 1/4 mile to and thru a pedestrian underpass. Then follow a bike path north along Lake Otis Pkwy., 1/4 mile to quiet E 47th Ct. Follow this west 1/4 mile to find Campbell Cr. Trail at the end.
At the Chuck Albrecht Ball Fields there is a parking area that can hold over 100 cars. This is located on the south side of Doctor MLK Jr. Ave., 1/2 mile east of the intersection with Elmore Rd.
SKATERS BEWARE, TRAIL HAS STEEP GRADES!!! I have logged hundreds of miles skating on a portion of this trail, and never seem to tire of it.
The portion that is best for skating is from the pullout at Milepost 100 of the Seward Highway to Girdwood. This is a 20 mile round trip. The beginning and end are 8 feet wide; the bulk of this is 10 feet. There are 2 steep hills that are 12 feet wide.
West of Bird Point the trail has a mile-long level section (always fun to skate, especially with a tailwind), the rest is hilly and winding.
East of Bird Point it climbs then descends a couple hundred vertical feet. I have measured grades greater than 6% in this area.
The trail has its share of root cracks (even on one of the steepest slopes) to be aware of.
SKATERS NEED TO HAVE GOOD BRAKING SKILLS ON THIS TRAIL!!! I always carry a "brake pole" (similar to a hockey stick with a rubber foot instead of a blade). I drag it to slow my speed; I have never skated the 20 miles without needing to use it.
Approach it cautiously, control your speed, and enjoy the trail!
Was working in Anchorage and Fairbanks on travel assignments. Rode this beautiful windy uphill trail from Bird to Alyeska Resort. Ok I know you want to know about the trail, but I want to describe the bear. I saw many a moose while working in Anchorage, not so in Fairbanks, but the bear on the trail will stay in my memory till I die or get dementia. One of my travel nurse buddies paid $800 to take a bush flight to see the bears and here we were a stones throw from one for the price of a bike rental. (We were on assignment in Fairbanks and few to Anchorage for a cosmopolitan weekend) The bear got wind of our sent looked up tilted his head and headed to the woods. We rode on to Alyeska threw down some liquid courage and rode back FAST DOWNHILL WITH 50 MILE AN HOUR TAIL WINDS. It could not have been more exciting!! (They even closed the airport for several hours due to the high winds.) It amazes me how fast one can ride down hill, with tail winds, under the influence, and screaming most of the way-to warn the bears of course. If in Anchorage (and an avid biker) this trail is splendid and should not be missed.
A nice little shaded trail following the meandering creek. I made a giant loop by taking the Chester Creek trail to the Tony Knowles trail and then did some on road riding to hitch up to Campbell creek. About 30 miles total. Only minor issue was that you had to cross a major road toward the end.
My first visit to Alaska and my first trail. I found this trail amazing, not real hard to bike or walk, wild life, beautiful creek, great sitting areas and a cozy lake as my nephew say's to sit and relax by. Everyone on the trail was friendly from the human to the dog ¿¿.
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