Best trails in Girdwood, Alaska

This trail can be started on either end. The mapped route on this page has the hiker starting at the Alyeska Hotel, however hikers can also start at the Winner Creek Trailhead. The first portion of the trail is wheelchair accessible. There is a hand-tram along this route that provides access over Glacier Creek.Show more

Trail offers an easy walk for all ages. It allows a close-up view of a glacier with rugged, mountains in all directions. A good family outing with a variety of things to do for the whole family. Users have reported winter trail closures, please check ahead before hiking. The alder/cottonwood forest is lush with ferns for a serene beginning to the hike. Byron Creek is a cascading, whitewater, glacial creek. The many stones along its bank offer many imaginative activities for children and adults (rock skipping, fort building). Snowfields left from the previous winter's avalanches supply many snowballs for those inclined to a friendly contest. The trail branches in many directions as it nears the snowfields below Byron Glacier. Bouldering on the rocks of the side and terminal moraines can be a challenge. Portage Lake and Valley can be seen looking north from the trail.Show more

The Virgin Falls are in an amazing rain forest and the best part of this trail. With parental guidance children could easily hike the short distance to the falls. If you are into hiking with elevation, this is a good trail. Show more

This trail is extremely beautiful, but also extremely challenging. The trail is poorly marked and can often times be washed out in certain sections. Weather changes quickly and there are many river crossings. Some can be quite challenging as water may be high, hip deep and extremely powerful. This trail can be accessed from the Eagle River Nature Center (the end-point on this route). Please note that starting from there is much more strenuous as the extreme uphill will be in the last 10 miles of the hike.Show more

Start at the Winner Creek Gorge Trailhead to hike to the Hand Tram and Winner Creek GorgeShow more

This trail goes off route from the Crow Pass Trial to reach Jewel Mountain. This isn't a great hike for dogs as there is rocky terrain and many icy snow hills. The trail is best accessed from July to September. June is usually too early for the off-trail part of Jewel Mountain unless the hiker is comfortable hiking on steep snow covered hills. In June, much of the final part of the route before the peak will still be covered with snow and it is used for aggressive backcountry skiing. Unless you have an ice axe, crossing the snow on steep hills could be dangerous. Show more