Hiking in Downtown

Downtown Anchorage is the surprising starting point for some of the city's best hiking and walking experiences. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail begins at the western edge of downtown near the Alaska Railroad depot and stretches eleven miles south along Cook Inlet, offering a paved, accessible route through coastal wetlands, past Earthquake Park, and onward to Kincaid Park. This trail is among the most popular in the city, welcoming hikers, runners, and cyclists against a backdrop of tidal flats, mountain views, and frequent wildlife sightings — moose browsing trailside vegetation are a common occurrence. From downtown, you can also connect to the Ship Creek Trail, which follows the salmon-bearing creek east toward the mountains. The Delaney Park Strip provides a long, linear green space for walking right in the city center. While most of Anchorage's backcountry hiking trails are accessed from trailheads east and south of downtown, the ability to step out of a downtown hotel and onto a world-class coastal trail within minutes is something that sets Anchorage apart from virtually every other city in North America. Our guide helps you maximize your downtown hiking experience in Anchorage, Alaska.