On Wheels

Peddle through wooded city parks, watch for urban wildlife, and stop to visit some of Anchorage’s most unique natural attractions. Exploring Anchorage by bike offers a different perspective on Alaska’s largest city, from coastal views to forest trails.

Day 1

Anchorage biking on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail

Know Before You Go

The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail travels 11 paved miles along the Cook Inlet coast, connecting downtown Anchorage to Kincaid Park.

Featuring Scenic Viewpoint Wildlife

Average Duration:

Half to Full Day

Google Street View

Explore The Coastal Trail

Rent a bike in downtown Anchorage, then head to Elderberry Park to enjoy a picnic lunch then access the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. Follow the trail along the coast to Westchester Lagoon, which offers convenient connections to the Lanie Fleischer Chester Creek Trail. Take a detour to explore the Chester Creek Greenbelt, or continue along the Coastal Trail to Earthquake Park. Read about the history of the area known as Nen Ghiłgedi, or “rotten land” in the original Dena’ina Athabascan language, then continue the final 2.6 miles to Point Woronzof, which offers perfect sunset views and a trail leading down to the Cook Inlet beach.

Retrace the 5-mile trail back to downtown.

Day 2

People walking and biking along the Coastal Trail in Kincaid Park

Know Before You Go

Ambitious adventurers can bike a 32-mile loop around Anchorage via the Moose Loop, which outlines the profile of a moose around the city.

Featuring Scenic Viewpoints Wildlife

Average Duration:

Full Day

Explore Kincaid Park

Drive or bike the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail out to Kincaid Park, 1,400 acres of forest, hills, ski, and singletrack bike trails. Pack a picnic, then spend a day riding the winding, looping, light-dappled routes through the woods, stopping for occasional moose crossings and jaw-dropping views of Cook Inlet and distant Mount Susitna. Watch for trail connections leading to the beach below, an unbeatable way to experience the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge.

Day 3

Campbell Creek trail sign with distance and trail name

Know Before You Go

The Campbell Creek Trail stretches 7.4 miles through neighborhoods and greenbelts, making it ideal for a short excursion or longer bike ride.

Featuring Wildlife Botanical Garden Museum

Average Duration:

Full Day

Anchorage Gardens

Connect with the Campbell Creek Trail for a tree-lined tour through urban Anchorage, dotted by frequent opportunities to see salmon or other wildlife in area creeks and lakes. Head east, explore trails in the Campbell Park greenbelt, then make your way to the Campbell Airstrip Trailhead, a mile away from the Alaska Botanical Garden. (Traveling by car? Start at the garden).

Take a minute to smell the flowers, then follow city streets north to the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature, which offers a family-friendly, hands-on introduction to Alaska’s engrossing natural history.

A short (and walkable) bike boulevard connects the museum to the Ship Creek Trail; from there, it’s a quick 2.5-mile ride (or scenic stroll) to King’s Landing and downtown Anchorage. Watch for salmon swimming in the creek, bald eagles soaring overhead, and Alaska Railroad trains passing as they approach or depart the nearby downtown rail depot.