Activities in Sitka
-
A
Harbor Mountain Trail
- Sitka, USA
- Activities › Hiking
This trail is reached from Harbor Mountain Rd, one of the few roads in the Southeast providing access to a subalpine area. Head 4 miles northwest from Sitka on Halibut Point Rd to the junction with Harbor Mountain Rd. A parking area and picnic shelter are 4½ miles up the rough dirt road.
Another half-mile further is the parking lot at road's end, where an unmarked trail begins on the lot's east side. The trail ascends 1½ miles to alpine meadows, knobs and ridges with spectacular views. From here a trail follows the tundra ridge to the free-use shelter on the saddle between Harbor Mountain and Gavan Hill, where you can pick up Gavan Hill Trail. Plan on spending two to fou…
reviewed
-
B
Gavan Hill Trail
- Sitka, USA
- Activities › Hiking
Gavan Hill Trail ascends almost 2500ft over 3 miles to Gavan Hill peak. The trail provides excellent views of Sitka and the surrounding area. From the trail's end, the adventurous hiker can continue to the peaks of the Three Sisters Mountains.
Gavan Hill is also linked to Harbor Mountain Trail. Halfway across the alpine ridge is a free-use USFS shelter available on a first-come, first-served basis; it's 3½ miles from the Gavan Hill trailhead, a hike of three to four hours.
From Lincoln St, head north up Baranof St for six blocks. The trailhead and a small parking area is reached just before the cemetery gate at the end of Baranof St. Camping is good in the trail's alpine …
reviewed
-
C
Mt Verstovia Trail
- Sitka, USA
- Activities › Hiking
This 2½-mile trail is a challenging climb of 2550ft to the 'shoulder,' a small summit that's the final destination for most hikers, although it's possible to continue climbing to the peak of Mt Verstovia (3349ft). The view from the shoulder on clear days is spectacular, undoubtedly the area's best.
The trailhead is 2 miles east of Sitka, along Sawmill Creek Rd; look for a large sign for the trailhead near a lone restaurant (which changes names so frequently that it shall here remain nameless). The Russian charcoal pits (signposted) are reached within a quarter-mile, and shortly after that the trail begins a series of switchbacks. It's a four-hour round-trip to the should…
reviewed
-
Mt Edgecumbe Trail
- Sitka, USA
- Activities › Hiking
The 6.7-mile trail begins at the USFS Fred's Creek Cabin and ascends to the crater of this extinct volcano. Views from the summit are spectacular on a clear day. About 3 miles up the trail is a free-use shelter (no reservations required).
Mt Edgecumbe (3201ft) is on Kruzof Island, 10 miles west of Sitka, and can only be reached by boat because large swells from the ocean prevent floatplanes from landing. Stop at the Sitka Convention & Visitors Bureau for a list of local operators who will drop off and pick up hikers. Actual hiking time is five to six hours one-way, but by securing Fred's Creek Cabin, you can turn the adventure into a pleasant three-day trip, with two nigh…
reviewed
-
D
Indian River Trail
- Sitka, USA
- Activities › Hiking
This easy trail is a 5½-mile walk along a clear salmon stream to Indian River Falls, an 80ft cascade at the base of the Three Sisters Mountains. The hike takes you through typical Southeast rain forest, and offers the opportunity to view brown bears, deer and bald eagles.
The trailhead, a short walk from the town center, is off Sawmill Creek Rd, just east of Sitka National Cemetery. Pass the driveway leading to the Public Safety Academy parking lot and turn up the gated dirt road. This leads back to the city water plant, where the trail begins left of the pump house. Plan on four to five hours round-trip to the falls.
reviewed
-
E
Beaver Lake Hike
- Sitka, USA
- Activities › Hiking
This short trail starts from Sawmill Creek Campground, which is reached from Sawmill Creek Rd, 5½ miles east of Sitka. Across from the former pulp mill on Sawmill Creek Rd, turn left onto Blue Lake Rd for the campground; the trailhead is on the campground's south side.
Although initially steep, the 0.8-mile trail levels out and ends up as a scenic walk through open forest, muskeg and marsh areas to Beaver Lake, which is surrounded by mountains. Plan on an hour round-trip.
reviewed
-
F
Sitka Cross Trail
Rather than leading up out of town, this easy, well-used 2.2-mile trail runs roughly parallel to civilization, from one end of town to the other. The west end starts by the water tower at the intersection of Charteris St and Georgeson Loop, but you can pick it up behind the baseball field at the end of Kimsham St, beside the hostel. The trail leads east from there, crossing Gavan Hill Trail and ending at Indian River Trail. Along the way you'll pass peat bogs and old-growth forests.
reviewed
-
G
Tribal Tours
A wide array of local tours, from simple walks around the harbor to VIP tour that includes hors d'oeuvres, beverages and preferential seating at local performances. In-between there is its 2½-hour bus tour that includes Sitka National Historical Park, Sheldon Jackson College and a Tlingit Native dance performance.
reviewed
-
Sitka's Secrets
Sitka's Secrets runs its 27ft boat to St Lazaria Island National Wildlife Refuge on a four-hour cruise to view seabirds galore and any other marine wildlife that happens along the way - usually a lot. The operators are a married couple, both degreed biologists and former national wildlife refuge managers.
reviewed
-
Sitka Trail Works
- Sitka, USA
- Activities › Hiking
Sitka offers superb hiking in the beautiful but tangled forest surrounding the city. A complete hiking guide is available from the USFS Sitka Ranger District office. Sitka Trail Works, a nonprofit group that raises money for trail improvements, also offers guided hikes throughout the summer.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
H
Sitka Wildlife Quest/Allen Marine Tours
Sitka Wildlife Quest/Allen Marine Tours offers a two-hour cruise on Tuesday and Thursday at 18:00 to view whales, sea otters, puffins and other wildlife and a three-hour tour on Saturday and Sunday at 08:30. All tours depart from Crescent Harbor dock and are narrated by a naturalist.
reviewed
-
I
Mosquito Cove Trail
At the northwest end of Halibut Point Rd, 0.7 miles past the ferry terminal, Starrigavan Recreation Area offers a number of short but scenic trails. One of them, Mosquito Cove Trail, is an easy and scenic 1¼-mile loop over gravel and boardwalk.
reviewed
-
J
Sea Life Discovery Tours
Sea Life Discovery Tours operates two-hour tours from a glass-bottomed boat that provides underwater views of the area's marine life.
reviewed
-
K
Sitka Sound Ocean Adventures
Sitka Sound Ocean Adventures rents kayaks and runs guided day trips; its office is a blue bus at the Centennial Building.
reviewed
-
Small-Group Sitka Wildlife Cruise
2.5 hours (Departs Sitka, Alaska)
by Viator
Embark on an exciting Alaska wildlife adventure! On this 2.5-hour cruise from Sitka, discover amazing Pacific wildlife and learn all about the impressive surrou…Not LP reviewed
from USD$135.00 -
Sitka Shore Excursion: Small-Group Sitka Sound Cruise and Hatchery Tour
2 hours (Departs Sitka, Alaska)
by Viator
While in port in Sitka, spend two hours spotting wildlife, learning about Sitka and touring a working salmon hatchery. With a maximum of six passengers, this tw…Not LP reviewed
from USD$85.00 -
L
Sitka Wildlife Tours
Sitka Wildlife Tours offers 1½-hour van tours and hourlong floatplane tours emphasizing local wildlife watching.
reviewed
-
Sitka Shore Excursion: Small-Group Sitka Wildlife Cruise
2.5 hours (Departs Sitka, Alaska)
by Viator
Discover why Alaska is famous for its wilderness on this 2.5-hour shore excursion! While in port in Sitka, get an up-close look at the area’s abundant wildlife …Not LP reviewed
from USD$135.00 -
Small-Group Sitka Sound Cruise and Hatchery Tour
2 hours (Departs Sitka, Alaska)
by Viator
Cruise the calm waters and go behind the scenes at an active salmon hatchery on this small-group tour of beautiful Sitka. With a maximum of six passengers, this…Not LP reviewed
from USD$85.00 -
Private Tour: Sitka Highlights Sightseeing Cruise
60 minutes (Departs Sitka, Alaska)
by Viator
See Sitka's highlights and learn about the city's rich history during this one-hour private sightseeing cruise. Led by a local, knowledgeable captain, this tour…Not LP reviewed
from USD$41.70 Advertisement
-
Sitka Shore Excursion: Private Sitka Highlights Sightseeing Cruise
60 minutes (Departs Sitka, Alaska)
by Viator
While in port in Sitka, see the town's highlights and learn about its rich history during this one-hour private shore excursion. Led by a local, knowledgeable c…Not LP reviewed
from USD$41.70 -
Allen Marine Tours
- Sitka, USA
- Activities › Other
Allen Marine Tours offers three-hour tours that often include spotting otters and whales.
reviewed
-
Sitka Sea Kayaking Adventure
3 hours (Departs Sitka, Alaska)
by Viator
While in Sitka, explore the area's natural beauty and abundant wildlife from the water! This 3-hour tour includes a sightseeing cruise out to a floating base ca…Not LP reviewed
from USD$126.14 -
Sitka Shore Excursion: Sea Kayaking Adventure
3 hours (Departs Sitka, Alaska)
by Viator
Once docked at the Sitka port, you won't have to go far see this area's abundant natural beauty and wildlife! This 3-hour shore excursion starts right at the cr…Not LP reviewed
from USD$126.14 -
