The 23 Best Hard Hikes in America
Whether it’s big elevation changes, big miles, or big moves, these 23 routes prove that the best hikes are often the hardest.
Alaska Trails
A hiker stands atop Alaska's Adak Island.
Alaska, known for its multitude of lakes, extensive coastline, and defining mountain peaks and glaciers, is the largest state in the U.S. northwest. Beside's Alaska's meandering coastline, the Alaska interior is marked by rivers such as the Yukon River, as well as arctic tundra land and shorelines.
Alaska is home to popular national parks and backpacking destinations like Denali National Park -- home to Denali, formerly Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America at 20,310 feet -- as well as others such as Kenai Fjords and Wrangell - St. Elias.
The editors at Backpacker have created an extensive collection of popular trails and trips in Alaska.
9 Astonishingly Hard Hikes (That You Should Do Anyway)
These 9 difficult hikes will challenge even the toughest backpackers.
The Best Fall Leaves Are Beneath Your Feet
Maples and aspens are nice, but you better look down if you want to see fall's best color show.
The Local's Guide to Hiking Alaska's Chugach National Forest
As a gateway to the Chugach National Forest, a trip to Cordova is a primer in hiking southern Alaska
A Bear Enthusiast’s Guide to Katmai National Park
Explore Alaska's bear HQ with the best viewing sites and remote backpacking routes.
12 Trails to Hike Before They're Gone
From climate change to energy development, various threats promise to wipe out what’s best about America’s 12 most endangered trails.
The 10 Best Trails to See Bears
Strap on your pack, grab your camera, and hit one of these ten trails where bruins roam free.
America's Best Huts: Mint Hut
Basecamp the right way: at this 1971 cabin on the edge of a bowl overlooking Alaska’s Talkeetnas.
The Best Day Hikes in America: Alaska
Leave it to Alaska to bundle life-list scenery and challenge into what amounts to a neighborhood ramble in an Anchorage exurb.
Hike Through American History on These 7 Trails
Follow in the footsteps of presidents, pioneers and prospectors on these hikes. Just don’t get snowed in and eat your friends.
Four Hikes to See Migrating Animals This Spring
See migrating whales, caribou, seabirds, and more on these four hikes ar
In Alaska, Climate Change is Already Affecting How People Play
Looking for proof of climate change? Just head up to America’s largest state, where park managers, scientists, and climbers say they’re already dealing with the effects of a warming Earth.
Could an Alaskan Oil Pipeline Become America's Next Great Long Trail?
The Trans-Alaska Trail would be America’s wildest path—if a determined group of Alaskans can make it happen.
Trekking In Gates of the Arctic, Where Time Stops
Cross 70 miles of one of Alaska's loneliest wilderness areas to peek into North America's past.
The Best National Park Campsites: Bear Glacier Lake
Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
Is The Trans-Alaska Trail America’s Next Great Long Trail?
A group of determined Alaskans hopes to create an 800-mile trail that will trace the state’s famous pipeline from Arctic Sea to Pacific tidewater.
Follow the Footsteps of Gold-Crazed Prospectors
Chilkoot Trail, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, Alaska
NPS Investigates Bear Deaths Caught on Camera
Two bears died in front of a webcam at Katmai National Park in October.
The Goat Trail to Skolai Pass, Wrangell-St. Elias NP, AK
These 10 miles of pure Alaska experience are among the best 100 miles of trail in the whole national park system.
Wrangell Plateau to Dixie Pass, Alaska
Navigate your own route through grizzly terrain in Elias National Park, all to access seldom-seen panoramas of the 16,000-foot Wrangell Mountains.
Kenai Fjords National Park: Harding Icefield Trail
Get a front row seat of retreating glaciers on this challenging 8-mile out-and-back to the Harding Icefield. No crampons or ice axes are needed during the summer hiking months.
