Hiking in Alaska: Best Trails in the Chugach National Forest

The Chugach National Forest spans nearly seven million acres in Southcentral Alaska, so, naturally, it’s home to some of the best hiking trails in Alaska. Trail Lake Lodge is widely known its Alaska fishing charters, but we’re actually an adventure-based vacation destination first and foremost. Our Adventure Vacation Packages, of course, also include countless hours of salmon fishing in Alaska. Anglers from across the globe visit Moose Pass, Alaska, for the thrill of reeling in a trophy salmon. In-between guided fishing trips, our guests have the option to whale watch, dog sled, zip line, and hike through the Chugach. The scenic beauty of the region is usually enough to persuade our visiting anglers into joining a hiking expedition. Hiking in Alaska is such a simple, yet mystifyingly life-changing experience for many. Here are three of our favorite Alaska hiking trails inside the Chugach National Forest.

Slaughter Gulch via Juneau Trail

Remember to visit Slaughter Gulch if you’re planning on hiking in Alaska. The challenging, steep two-mile journey to Slaughter Gulch is a rewarding experience for hikers of all experience levels. Juneau Trail offers some of the best mountain, lake, and valley views in North America. You’ll start your journey near Cooper Landing, Alaska, and trek uphill for an hour. The climax offers panoramic views of this lovely valley, which features Kenai Lake, snow-capped mountains, and lush forestry.

Ptarmigan Lake Trail

We love the Ptarmigan Lake Trail for many reasons. Perhaps we’re a little biased because it’s quite close to Trail Lake Lodge, but Ptarmigan Lake Trail is still one of the most peaceful, beautiful, and energizing trips in the state. This 6.8-mile out-and-back trail starts near Kenai Lake and heads eastward into the lush Chugach forestland. Much of the trip follows serene Ptarmigan Creek, which earned its name from the abundance of grouse in the area. The pinnacle of the journey is the grand finale: breathtaking Ptarmigan Lake. This gorgeous, still lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, dense forestry, and utter silence.

Carter Lake Trail

Carter Lake Trail is only a 3.7-mile round trip, but it provides a challenging incline. The dramatic payoff, of course, is breathtaking Carter Lake. The journey through the spruce and hemlock forest is simply magical. We recommend embarking on this trail during summer’s peak so you can witness the colorful mushrooms, wildflowers, goatsbeard, cow parsnip, and monkshood. Many hikers have spotted Dall’s sheep, snakes, and brown bears. These bears have seen thousands of hikers, so there’s nothing to worry about, but bring along bear pepper spray and know the necessary safety measures just in case.

Alaska Fishing Charters

Hiking in Alaska has never been easier than it is today thanks to our tour guides at Trail Lake Lodge. Our Adventure Vacation Packages are entirely customizable, so we encourage you to do your own research. You can find a handful of trails that perfectly suit your skill level. Remember, reservations are still available for next year’s salmon fishing season. Otherwise, our four-season resort can be enjoyed 12 months a year! Give us a call at 1-907-288-3101 to learn more about our availability, packages, and amenities.