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Sunnyside Trailhead (Flattop)
4.7 ★★★★★ 35 Google reviews · Running trail in Anchorage, Alaska · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Sunnyside Trailhead (Flattop)'s own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Sunnyside Trailhead (Flattop)
“Great views of the Chugachs, Turnagain, and the Anchorage Bowl.”
“It is nicely marked, and easy to follow.”
Great place to go for a solo hike - always feel safe with plenty of people around.
Parking is tight, so be careful, especially on the side that just drops off. The parking situation creates a one way road. There is a trail map, outhouse, and garbage can at the trail head so you can get situated for your 1.8 mile hike to the summit of flattop.
Great trail. Windy on top. Sweet views. 1+30 up. Only 25 min to get down (slid all the way down on my butt tho)
We’ve done this hike a few times as a family and we love it. You can do Flattop from the North side or South, but this South-side approach is easier. The North-side has some steep rocks and scrambling at the end. There are gradual switch backs most of the way up. My watch clocked it at just about 3.5 miles round trip.
Trail conditions & character
“Great views of the Chugachs, Turnagain, and the Anchorage Bowl.”
“Parking is tight, so be careful, especially on the side that just drops off.”
“The North-side has some steep rocks and scrambling at the end.”
Plan your run at Sunnyside Trailhead (Flattop)
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Anchorage
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Glen Alps / Flattop Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,072 reviews
Walking route past blueberry bushes & hemlock trees, with panoramic views of Anchorage & Cook Inlet.
Prospect Heights Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 95 reviews
Popular hiking area with trails toward Wolverine Peak, featuring scenic vistas of the Chugach.
