If you’re in or around the Anchorage area and looking for an easy stroll along with beautiful views, the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is the perfect trail for an afternoon walk. Originating in the heart of downtown Anchorage, it winds itself along the coast line along miles of paved walkway or groomed snow.
Starting in downtown Anchorage and winding all the way to Kincaid Park, this trail is an outstanding part of Anchorage’s park system.
James Brooks / Flickr Anchorage, Alaska, has over 120 miles of paved, multi-use trails in their system. There are 105 miles of groomed ski trails, and Tony Knowles Coastal trail has both!
Your walk will take you right along the Cook Inlet.
Michael Hayes / Flickr The tidal flows often drop icebergs on the mudflats when the tide goes out. Watching the icebergs floating along with the tide is a rare and fascinating aspect of this trail.
The trail is a long, almost 20-mile path that skirts downtown Anchorage and ends up in Kincaid Park.
Travis / Flickr You don’t have to walk the entire trail. There are many entry and exit points along this hike. On colder days, you may even find the trees filled with beautiful hoarfrost ice crystals on their limbs.
Around the halfway mark, the trail comes near the runway for Anchorage International Airport.
Phase_quest / TripAdvisor If you are an aviation enthusiast, you will love watching the cargo and passenger planes arriving and departing. The planes feel right overhead when you hit the Point Woronzof section of the trail.
Be alert for wildlife on and off the trail.
dancingnomad3 / Flickr Moose are majestic to watch, but keep a respectful distance, as they have injured people with their hooves on this trail. Anchorage has around 2,000 resident moose, and many of them enjoy the area around this trail.
Because this is a multi-use trail, you’ll also be sharing it with skiers, winter cyclists, runners, and other walkers.
Travis / Flickr Since the trails are groomed for skiers, you will find diagonal tracks on one side of the trail. Please be courteous and if you’re walking, running, or cycling, keep to the packed snow portion of the trail.
The views along the coast abound on clear days, and you may be rewarded with glimpses of Mt Susitna, the Chigmit Range, the Tordrillo Mountains, and even Denali.
dancingnomad3 / Flickr It’s hard to find a more satisfying walk, especially in the middle of the largest city in Alaska. With stunning views of the Cook Inlet, wildlife encounters, and mountains looming in the distance, you won’t regret a minute spent on this gorgeous trail.
Have you walked or skied along this trail? What did you think? Will you do it again soon? Let us know in the comments below!
James Brooks / Flickr
Anchorage, Alaska, has over 120 miles of paved, multi-use trails in their system. There are 105 miles of groomed ski trails, and Tony Knowles Coastal trail has both!
Michael Hayes / Flickr
The tidal flows often drop icebergs on the mudflats when the tide goes out. Watching the icebergs floating along with the tide is a rare and fascinating aspect of this trail.
Travis / Flickr
You don’t have to walk the entire trail. There are many entry and exit points along this hike. On colder days, you may even find the trees filled with beautiful hoarfrost ice crystals on their limbs.
Phase_quest / TripAdvisor
If you are an aviation enthusiast, you will love watching the cargo and passenger planes arriving and departing. The planes feel right overhead when you hit the Point Woronzof section of the trail.
dancingnomad3 / Flickr
Moose are majestic to watch, but keep a respectful distance, as they have injured people with their hooves on this trail. Anchorage has around 2,000 resident moose, and many of them enjoy the area around this trail.
Since the trails are groomed for skiers, you will find diagonal tracks on one side of the trail. Please be courteous and if you’re walking, running, or cycling, keep to the packed snow portion of the trail.
It’s hard to find a more satisfying walk, especially in the middle of the largest city in Alaska. With stunning views of the Cook Inlet, wildlife encounters, and mountains looming in the distance, you won’t regret a minute spent on this gorgeous trail.
If you want to warm up after your stroll, you can Find The Best Tater Tots In Alaska At Anchorage’s Spenard Roadhouse!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, Raspberry Rd, Anchorage, AK 99502, USA