If you are longing for a hike in Alaska and aren't sure where to start, here are our favorites. There's something for all levels of skills and ambitions.
The Kenai River Trail
A half mile down this trail are wonderful views of the Kenai River Canyon. There are really two trailheads(小道的起点); the main "upper" trail starts at mile 0.6 of Skilak Lake Rd, and the other at mile 2.3.
Turnagain Arm Trail
This 11-mile hike begins at Potter Trailhead (Mile 115). Initially used by Alaska Natives, the trail, can also be accessible to points along the way: McHugh Creck(Mile 112), Rainbow(Mile 108) and Windy(Mile 107).
lditarod National Historic Trail
The National Historic Iditarod Trail is a 24-mile hike used by gold miners and sled-dog teams until 1918, when the Alaska Railroad was finished. It's a two-to-three day hike through superb mountain scenery to Girdwood( where it's known as the Crow Pass Trail), and is the region's best backpack adventure.
Put up a tent at Echo Bend(Mile 3), or rent one of two yurts(毡房)($65 per night) close by. For a shorter outing you can turn around at the Perch, then return to the Dew Mound Trail at Echo Bend and then to the Nature Center, making this a scenic 8-mile trip.
Reed Lakes Trail
Two alpine lakes, waterfalls, glaciers and towering granite(花岗岩) walls: the 7-to-9-mile Reed Lakes Trail is one of the most wonderful hikes in the region, and worth the climb. Once you reach upper Reed Lake, continue 1 mile to Bomber Glacier, where the ruin of a B-29 bomber lies in memorial to six men who died in a 1957 crash.
