BREATHTAKING HIKES NEAR ANCHORAGE, NO MATTER HOW MUCH TIME YOU HAVE By B A I L E Y B E R G
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t’s no secret that hiking opportunities in Alaska are world-class. But while the state is geographically massive, it doesn’t mean all the good stuff is remote — even Anchorage, the largest city, has quick and convenient access to incredible nature. Here are just a few hikes, with varying degrees of length and difficulty, that epitomize the beauty and majesty of Alaska, all within a 30-minute drive of downtown Anchorage.
IF YOU HAVE 3-4 HOURS Flattop Mountain: Easily the most climbed mountain in Alaska, Flattop is a perennial favorite among locals and visitors alike, thanks to its well-maintained trail and views encompassing all of Anchorage (and stretching as far as Denali on a clear day). While the entire mountain stands at 3,510 feet, you’ll only ascend the final 1,280 over the course of a mile and a half. The mountain’s popularity has its pros and cons. On one hand, it’s accessible even if you don’t have a car — Flattop Mountain Shuttle is a service that takes visitors there ($23 round-trip or $21 if you rent a bike from the company before or after; runs May 15 to Sept. 15 at 12:30 p.m.; 907-279-3334). The service starts and ends in downtown and allows hikers 2.5 hours to complete the trail. The downside is that it’s easily the most crowded trail in Anchorage, so you may be jockeying for space with other visitors (and often their dogs). The trail becomes steep near the summit and the last 300 or so feet calls for some rocky scrambling that might be a little scary for novice hikers. Tony Knowles Coastal Trail: If you’re 36
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • 2021
looking for a walk that can be done with coffee in hand, this is it. Starting in downtown Anchorage, this paved 11-mile trail hugs the coast all the way to its terminus in Kincaid Park. It’s a leisurely path (save for a daunting final half-mile that rises steeply) that links up with several sightseeing spots, including Westchester Lagoon, Earthquake Park and Point Woronzof. Aside from the occasional urban moose, there isn’t much possibility of animal sightings until you reach Kincaid Park (unless you count the metal birds blasting off at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport), but the land and cityscapes are lovely.
IF YOU HAVE A HALF-DAY Rabbit Lake: Eight and a half miles out
Late-day sun brightened a hike up Flattop Mountain in Chugach State Park on the summer solstice. PHOTO BY MARC LESTER
A man walking on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail at Point Woronzof is silhouetted against Mount Susitna. PHOTO BY BILL ROTH
and back, it’s a gorgeous hike the whole way, but the big payoff comes right at the end with views of Rabbit Lake in the shadows of the mighty Suicide Peaks. An easy (but still 8.7 mile round trip) hike with pretty minimal elevation gain, the first half cuts through brush as it runs parallel to the Flattop ridgeline before emerging into an open valley for the final couple of miles. Pack in a picnic and spend some time soaking in the lakeside views before heading back. Keep an eye out for blueberries in late summer! Eagle and Symphony Lakes: Just northeast of Anchorage near Eagle River, this 12-mile round-trip hike is outrageously photogenic from start to finish. Even though it’s a longer hike, the bulk of the trail is level, making it easy to breeze through. It’s not until the end
