Activities in Anchorage
-
Pioneer Ridge Hiking Trail
Pioneer Ridge Hiking Trail is a 5.7-mile route from Knik River Rd that climbs the main ridge extending southeast from Pioneer Peaks (6400ft). You'll climb through forest until you reach the alpine tundra at 3200ft. Once on the ridge, South Pioneer Peak is a mile to the northwest, North Pioneer Peak is 2 miles. Scaling either requires rock-climbing experience and equipment. To the southeast, the ridge leads toward Bold Peak, the Hunter Creek drainage and eventually Eklutna Lake.
To reach the trailhead, turn onto Knik River Rd, just before crossing the river on Old Glenn Hwy, and follow it for almost 4 miles.
reviewed
-
Winner Creek Gorge Hike
Winner Creek Gorge Hike is an easy and pleasant hike that winds 5½ miles through lush (and sometimes muddy) forest, ending in the gorge itself, where Winner Creek becomes a series of small cascades. You can also connect to the National Historic Iditarod Trail for a 7.7-mile loop. Either way, you'll cross the gorge on an ultrafun hand-tram.
The most popular trailhead is near Arlberg Rd: walk along the bike path past the Alyeska Prince Hotel, toward the bottom of the tram. Look for the footpath heading into the forest.
reviewed
-
McRoberts Creek Valley Hiking Trail
The backcountry hike up the McRoberts Creek Valley Hiking Trail provides an easy approach to 6119ft Matanuska Peak. The trail reaches the tree line in 2½ miles and 3880ft Summit Ridge in 9 miles. The trek to Matanuska Peak is a serious 18-mile endeavor. To reach the trailhead, take Old Glenn Hwy from Palmer toward Butte and turn left onto Smith Rd at Mile 15.5.
Follow Smith Rd for 1.4 miles, until it curves into Harmony Ave. There is no parking at the South Fork trailhead, so leave the car at the bend in the road.
reviewed
-
Lazy Mountain Hiking Trail
The best hike near Palmer is the berry-lined climb to the top of 3720ft Lazy Mountain Hiking Trail. The 2½-mile trail is steep at times, but makes for a pleasant trek that ends in an` alpine setting with good views of Matanuska Valley farms. Take Old Glenn Hwy across the Matanuska River, turn left onto Clark-Wolverine Rd and then right onto Huntly Rd; follow it to the Equestrian Center parking lot and trailhead, marked 'Foot Trail.' Plan on three to five hours for the round-trip.
reviewed
-
Crow Pass Trail Hike
The highly recommended Crow Pass Trail Hike is a short but beautiful alpine hike that features gold-mining relics, an alpine lake and often there are Dall sheep on the slopes above. It's 4 miles to Raven Glacier, the traditional turnaround point of the trail and 3 miles to a USFS cabin. Or you can continue on the three-day, 26-mile route along the Iditarod Trail to the Eagle River Nature Center. The trailhead is 5.8 miles north of Alyeska Hwy on Crow Creek Rd.
reviewed
-
Knik Glacier Adventures
Trekkies take note; Knik Glacier is best known as the setting where a portion of Star Trek VI was filmed. You can get a partial view of the ice floe at Mile 7 of Knik River Rd off Old Glenn Hwy but the best way to experience it is on an airboat ride up the Knik River; Knik Glacier Adventures offers four-hour tours, departing at 10:00 and 15:00 daily and including a cookout within view of the ice.
reviewed
-
Girdwood Ski & Cyclery
Girdwood Ski & Cyclery will rent you the bikes to enjoy it.
The most scenic ride is the Indian-Girdwood Cycling Trail, a paved path that leads out of the valley and along the Seward Hwy above Turnagain Arm. A new segment built in 2005 has extended the route to Mile 103 of the highway, linking Alyeska Resort with Indian Creek 17 miles away.
reviewed
-
Alyeska Glacier View Trail
Take the Alyeska resort tram to this easy, 1-mile Alyeska Glacier View Trail through an alpine area with views of the tiny Alyeska Glacier. You can continue up the ridge to climb the so-called summit of Mt Alyeska, a high point of 3939ft. The true summit lies farther to the south, but is not a climb for casual hikers.
reviewed
-
A
Wild Salmon On Parade
The Wild Salmon On Parade is an annual event in which local artists turn fiberglass fish downtown into an Elvis Presley salmon, 'Uncle Salmon' painted in red, white blue or 'Fish & Chips', a poker-playing halibut. To see them all pick up a fish tour map at the Log Cabin Visitors Center.
reviewed
-
Indian-Girdwood Cycling Trail
The most scenic ride is the Indian-Girdwood Cycling Trail, a paved path that leads out of the valley and along the Seward Hwy above Turnagain Arm. A new segment built in 2005 has extended the route to Mile 103 of the highway, linking Alyeska Resort with Indian Creek 17 miles away.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Ascending Path
A climbing-guide service that has a three-hour glacier hike on Alyeska Glacier (around US$140), including a midnight-sun glacier trek from mid-June to mid-July that begins at 21:00. The company also offers a three-hour rock-climbing outing designed for beginners ($129).
reviewed
-
Downhill Mountain Biking
For some hair-rising biking head to the Alyeska Resort day lodge where Downhill Mountain Biking will send you up on the chairlift for a wild ride down one of four trails. Lift tickets are around US$29 per person and bike rentals are available.
reviewed
-
Class V Whitewater
Offers guided raft trips through some of the whitest water in Alaska, the class V canyons of Sixmile River (around US$130). If you can't handle that icy roller coaster, trips through class III rapids (around US$75 to $95) are available.
reviewed
-
Alyeska Ski Resort Tram
The Alyeska Ski Resort Tram offers the easiest route to the alpine during the summer. At the top you can dine at Seven Glaciers Restaurant or just wander above the tree line, soaking up the incredible views.
reviewed
-
B
Rust's Flying Service
Rust's Flying Service has 30-minute tours ($100), a three-hour flight to view Mt McKinley in Denali National Park ($365) and a full day of guided fly-in fishing ($485).
reviewed
-
C
Anchorage City Trolley Tours
Anchorage City Trolley Tours One-hour rides in a bright red trolley past Lake Hood, Earthquake Park and Cook Inlet, among other sights.
reviewed
-
Alpine Air
Has a two-hour glacier tour that includes a helicopter landing on the ice and an opportunity to drive a sled dog team (adult/child around US$350/$299).
reviewed
-
Anchorage City Sightseeing Tour Including the Alaska Native Heritage Center
3.5-hours (Departs Anchorage, Alaska)
by Viator
Visit Anchorage's historical sites on this city sightseeing tour by coach. This 3.5-hour fully narrated tour is the perfect way to get a comprehensive overview…Not LP reviewed
from USD$59.00 -
D
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
The city is a cyclist's dream, with 122 miles of paved paths; the 11-mile Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is the most scenic.
reviewed
-
Mt McKinley (Denali) Flightseeing Experience from Anchorage
3 hours (Departs Anchorage, Alaska)
by Viator
Mt McKinley is a sight not to be missed during your visit to Anchorage, and this 3-hour flightseeing experience is the ideal way to get up close to the mountain…Not LP reviewed
from USD$394.00 Advertisement
-
Anchorage Shore Excursion: Mt McKinley (Denali) Flightseeing Experience
3 hours (Departs Anchorage, Alaska)
by Viator
A port of call in Anchorage isn't complete without viewing the impressive Mt McKinley and this 3-hour Mt McKinley flightseeing shore excursion is the best way t…Not LP reviewed
from USD$394.00 -
Anchorage Shore Excursion: City Sightseeing Tour including Alaska Native Heritage Center
3.5 hours (Departs Anchorage, Alaska)
by Viator
During your time in port in Anchorage, get a great overview of the city on this sightseeing shore excursion. See the city’s historical sights and main points of…Not LP reviewed
from USD$59.00 -
Anchorage Shore Excursion: Ice Road Trucker Big Rig Experience
2-3 hours (Departs Anchorage, Alaska)
by Viator
While visiting Anchorage before, after or during your cruise, discover the thrilling, white-knuckle world of ice road trucking, made famous by the History Chann…Not LP reviewed
from USD$104.00 -
Ice Road Trucker Big Rig Experience
2-3 hours (Departs Anchorage, Alaska)
by Viator
You've seen the show on the History Channel, and now you can experience ice road trucking for yourself! The 2- to 3-hour Ice Road Trucker Big Rig Experience in …Not LP reviewed
from USD$104.00 -
Day Trip to Denali National Park from Anchorage Including Scenic Flights
by Viator
Venture into the stunning interior of Alaska on this full-day tour from Anchorage to Denali National Park. A 75-minute scenic flight from Anchorage, including a…Not LP reviewed
from USD$629.00
