10 Amazing Alaska Hikes Under 3 Miles That Are Ideal For A Little Adventure
When on a road trip, especially with the whole clan, making a long hike or an overnight backpack trip can be far too much. These shorter hikes can be done in an afternoon, just an easy way to stretch the legs and see some of the beautiful vistas Alaska has to offer. Some are a little steeper, some just a walk in the park. Enjoy these trails under three miles for day hikes in Alaska.
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1. Perseverance Lake Trail, 97 Ward Lake Road, Ketchikan
This easy 2.3 mile hike is approx. 8 miles north of Ketchikan. Find the trailhead across from the Ward Lake Recreation Area's parking lot. Follow the trail through muskeg and forest to the Lake.
2. Creamers Field Nature Trail, 1300 College Rd, Fairbanks
Formerly a working dairy, now Creamers Field is a bird sanctuary and a wildlife preserve. This is an easy 2 mile hike on a boardwalk through the forest behind the field. See a wide variety of wildlife and unique interior flowers in season. Add this to your easy hikes in Alaska list!
3. Russian River Falls, off the Sterling Highway near Cooper Landing, Kenai Peninsula
This trail leads you to a pounding waterfall only 2.4 miles from the lower trailhead. At the falls, a deck is suspended over the falls so you can enjoy the rushing water and get a good photo of a salmon jumping upstream! Hiking this beautiful trail is a true outdoor adventure in Alaska.
This is a newer trail just past Winner Creek trail on the right side of the dirt road. This moderately steep 2.2 mile hike heads up the switchbacks to the top of the ski hill. When you have taken in the incredible views, take the gondola back down to the bottom for free.
5. Flattop Mountain at Glen Alps, Chugach Mountains, Anchorage
Take the 1.5 mile trail to the rocky, football field-sized summit in about an hour. You can enjoy panoramic views from Denali (Mt. McKinley) to the Aleutian Islands. There is also a shuttle service from downtown Anchorage to the trailhead. This is one of the most well known hiking trails in Alaska.
This easy trail is great for families, covered in wildflowers and has a river for grayling fishing at 2.3 miles. Return from there for a shorter hike or continue on for a longer trek that continues along the shore of the lake.
3 miles roundtrip, this trail is popular with travellers in Denali Park. Even though it may be populated, it's still worth it to experience the panoramic view of the beauty of Denali National Park and get up close to the Nenana River.
Follow an old logging trail to Lowell Point. This scenic 3 mile trail takes about an hour each direction. This trail is a favorite of locals and visitors alike and the end is a lovely spot for a beach fire or picnic.
9. Grewingk Glacier Lake Trail, Kachemak Bay State Park, Homer
One of the top hikes in Homer, this trail offers panoramic views of Cook Inlet and Kachemak Bay. Homestead Trail has many segments, but the first 2 miles is scenic and moderately strenuous.
Have you had a chance to check out the best short hikes in Alaska? Tell us about it in the comments below.
Many of the hikes on this list would qualify as some of the most beautiful hikes in Alaska. Flattop Trail gives you sweeping views over the city of Anchorage, and the Carter Lake Trail takes you into the backcountry of the Kenai Peninsula to give you beautiful scenes of towering mountains and a lake nestled in the valley. Probably the most famous, and on a clear day, arguably the most beautiful, would be the hike to ascend Denali. This grueling expedition takes no less than 17 days to complete. While long and intense, and incredibly challenging, the stunning beauty you would see on your ascent of North America’s largest mountain would make every step worth it.
What do I need to bring on a hike in Alaska?
This depends on the length of your hike, the season in which you’re hiking, and the weather you will be hiking in. If you’re ever headed out into the backcountry, even for a short jaunt, you’ll want some staples in your backpack. You’ll want plenty of water, bear spray except in the winter season, and some sort of snack. It wouldn’t hurt to throw an extra pair of socks, or bug repellant in there too. If you’re going on a multi-day backpacking adventure, you’ll add in a tent, sleeping bag, a warm change of clothes, plenty of food and water, and some sort of kit to keep your food away from bears. You might want to bring a fire starter like matches or a lighter, and in the winter you wouldn’t want to leave without your avalanche beacon. No matter when you head out, always make sure you tell someone where you’re hiking and when you’ll be expected back. If something unexpected happens, you’ll want someone who can point help right to your location.
