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Running trails in Alaska
67 trails across 6 cities in Alaska, with the most in Anchorage, Juneau, and Wasilla — including 14 natural surface, 15 loops, and 2 long enough for a 5-mile run. Every listing shows the things runners actually decide on: surface, loop distance, shade, lighting, restrooms, water and trailhead parking. Pick a city for the full local list, or filter the Alaska trails below.
Cities in Alaska
Every city and town in Alaska with a running trail in the directory, most trails first.
Notable running trails in Alaska
The Alaska trails runners review most, ranked by rating weighted by review volume. Filter by surface, loop, distance, shade or lighting to narrow to the run you're actually planning. See the full best-of-Alaska ranking →
Chugach State Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,510 reviews
Massive park with coastline, mountains, glaciers & lakes, plus camping, a ski area & nature center.
Thunderbird Falls Trailhead
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,927 reviews
Popular 200-ft. waterfall with a viewing platform accessed via a scenic hike along a canyon.
Friends of Creamers Field at Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,398 reviews
Wildlife sanctuary & landmark dairy farm offering bird observation & nature education.
Earthquake Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 1,405 reviews
A devastating 1964 earthquake shaped this hilly area, which offers trails & an interpretive display.
Glen Alps / Flattop Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,072 reviews
Walking route past blueberry bushes & hemlock trees, with panoramic views of Anchorage & Cook Inlet.
Margaret Eagan Sullivan Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 906 reviews
Green space with a paved biking & walking path fronting Westchester Lagoon, plus mountain views.
Far North Bicentennial Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 608 reviews
Popular 4,000-acre park with 100-plus miles of multi-use trails, skiing, a botanical garden & more.
Coastal Trail - Elderberry Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 599 reviews
Path popular for walking and biking on a coastal track.
Newcomb Park Wasilla Lake
4.5 ★★★★★ 513 reviews
Public area for swimming and kayaking on a river or lake, with swings, slides and a playground.
West Butte Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 310 reviews
Hiking area featuring a trail and 500-plus steps that lead to panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
West Glacier Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 276 reviews
Outdoor recreation area known for hikes, glacial views, canoeing, and a waterfall.
Iditapark
4.5 ★★★★★ 276 reviews
Area featuring a basketball court, bike track, jungle gym, skateboard park, trail and sledding hill.
Wedgewood Wildlife Sanctuary
4.6 ★★★★★ 264 reviews
Small, scenic natural area with a lakeside walking trail, wildlife viewing & interpretive signs.
Anchorage Coastal Trail Beach Access
4.8 ★★★★★ 197 reviews
Scenic trail for biking and walking featuring coastal scenery and moose.
Graehl Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 207 reviews
Relaxed park with grassy areas, a playground and picnic tables, plus boat ramps and docks.
Government Peak Recreation Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 179 reviews
Park featuring trails for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing in a scenic setting.
Mt. Roberts (Wooshkeenax Deiyí) Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 160 reviews
Destination for hiking to the top of Mount Roberts with scenic views, accessible by tram.
Reflections Lake Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 160 reviews
Relaxing circular trail and beach area around the lake, with a tower for observation and viewing wildlife.
Falls Creek Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 145 reviews
Short, easy hike leading to a picturesque waterfall that visitors can walk around.
Westchester Lagoon Nature Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 150 reviews
Recreational area for walking and birdwatching, as well as ice skating (in winter).
Lazy Mountain Trail Head
4.7 ★★★★★ 122 reviews
Challenging hiking trail on a 3,720-ft. mountain offering views at the top.
Crevasse-Moraine Trailhead
4.6 ★★★★★ 120 reviews
Community park with hiking trails and paths popular for biking, skiing, and other outdoor activities.
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 102 reviews
Scenic biking and hiking trail also popular with joggers, featuring views of the coast and wildlife, plus bike rentals.
Rainforest Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 97 reviews
Relaxed hike, good for kids, offering forest, muskeg and rocky beach views.
Smokejumper Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 96 reviews
Wooded hiking route featuring varied terrain, plus wildlife such as moose and bears.
Prospect Heights Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 95 reviews
Popular hiking area with trails toward Wolverine Peak, featuring scenic vistas of the Chugach.
Wasilla Creek Boardwalk Trail
4.4 ★★★★☆ 100 reviews
Trail through the woods and marsh ending at a nice platform that overlooks mountains.
Auke Lake Hiking Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 86 reviews
Hiking area featuring kid-friendly trails, a lake, and other natural features.
Mendenhall Refuge Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 82 reviews
Scenic area featuring a flat trail for hiking and biking with glacier views plus wetlands and bird-watching opportunities.
Nugget Falls Trail
4.9 ★★★★★ 68 reviews
Popular route to a waterfall on the Mendenhall Glacier featuring views of the glacier.
No trails match those filters.
Alaska trails by surface
Surface is the biggest split in trail running — asphalt is fast and predictable, crushed limestone is softer but still smooth, dirt is easiest on the joints and the most fun, boardwalk is flat and scenic but slick when wet.
More ways to find a trail in Alaska
- Best running trails in Alaska — the state-wide ranking from runner reviews
- Loop trails — 15 in Alaska come back to the trailhead without backtracking
- Long-run trails (5+ miles) — 2 in Alaska are long enough for a proper long run
- Lit trails — 4 in Alaska have lighting for pre-dawn and post-work runs
- Trails with restrooms — 14 in Alaska, and 2 with water fountains
- Trailhead parking — 38 in Alaska have parking at the trailhead
- Dog-friendly trails — 22 in Alaska you can run with a dog
- Stroller & wheelchair-accessible — 21 in Alaska are smooth and wide enough
- Scenic trails — 52 in Alaska runners single out for the views
- Browse by surface — paved, crushed limestone, natural dirt or boardwalk
- All trail features — loops, shade, lighting, restrooms, mile markers and more
- Running trails by state — the rest of the country
- Trail-running guides — surfaces and your knees, loop vs out-and-back, trail etiquette, running before dawn
Trail features in Alaska
- Scenic Running Trails
- Trails with Trailhead Parking
- Dog-Friendly Running Trails
- Stroller & Wheelchair-Accessible Trails
- Hilly Trails & Hill Workouts
- Flat & Fast Running Trails
- Loop Trails (No Backtracking)
- Trails with Restrooms
- Quiet, Uncrowded Trails
- Lit Trails for Early & Night Runs
- Trails with Mile Markers
- Long-Run Trails (5+ Miles)
- Trails with Water Fountains