Many people call the great outdoors home, or at least a home away from home. Being surrounded by tall trees, vast open plains or towering mountains can be a soothing, meditative experience for some and an exciting adventure for others. This is why hiking is such a diverse and popular sport. Alaska, which contains hiking trails for everyone, is an oft-visited locale for hikers from across the globe.
Geography
With an expansive territory that stretches 1,400 miles north to south and well over 2,300 miles east to west, Alaska's geography is vibrant and richly varied. Hikers have plenty of choices for places to hike, from the areas around cities such as Anchorage and Seward to a plethora of national parks including Denali National Park. Whether a hiker is looking to view gelid glacier chains or explore off-the-beaten-path mountain trails, Alaska has it all.
Trail Accessibility
One of the great things about the Alaska hiking trail system is that it accommodates just about every type of hiker out there. There are some trails available to disabled persons, mainly at Denali National Park, plenty of light trails that aren’t too long for beginning hikers, and more than enough challenging hikes for even the most trained athlete. These cross mountains and icy lands to offer breathtaking views from gorgeous peaks. Since there are so many trails at all different levels, Alaska also makes a great training ground for future expert hikers.
The Cities
Hiking trails can be found within close distance to every major city in Alaska, but there are a couple of places that should be targeted by hikers. The first is Anchorage, the capital of the state. Within its limits there are 100 miles of paved trails for easy-going hikes and 150 miles of wilderness trails. The city has the most developed trails in Alaska, so novice hikers or people looking to hike while on vacation should look into it. The city also hosts excellent lodging, dinging and cultural locations for hikers to enjoy during downtime. Seward is another popular hiking city. It acts as a gateway to Exit Glacier, three miles long, that can be viewed on a few different trails that are perfect for day hiking trips.
The Parks
National and state parks are littered across Alaska and all of them ofer opportunities for hikers. Denali National Park is one of the largest and has hundreds of back country trails that offer seclusion and adventure for day hikes and longer trips. Close to the park entrance there are paved trails for beginners and easy nature hikes. There is also a Heli Hiking experience that offers back country hiking and a 50-minute helicopter ride. Near Anchorage, there is Chugach National Forest and State Park that offers many trails, including the most popular in the area: Flat Top Mountain. Along the coast is Fjord National Park (where Exit Glacier resides), home to plenty of glaciers, some fun hiking trails and endless views.
Hiking Guides
Some hikers prefer solitude, but others enjoy having a guide to take them into the back country. Luckily, for those in the latter group, Alaska is a breeding ground for hiking tour companies, such as Trek Alaska. This company offers guided hikes for small groups that average between four and five people. The hikes are three- to nine-day long backpacking trips through the wilderness, which offers an experience that many hikers who lack proper experience and outdoor training can’t otherwise get. Meals are also provided throughout the trip. There are many other guide companies like this one all over the state.
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