Hiking and biking in Anchorage, Alaska

Length: 16 miles. Duration: 1 - 2 hours.

This route is steep, technical and for experienced riders only. Suspension Mountain Bike Required. The trail starts out wide but as you descend it becomes steep and narrow. Click here to view five pictures of the Gasline Trail. When descent ends, you're in Far North Bicentennial Park where there are many mountain bike trails and sometimes bears. (Before van departs for Flattop, ask to borrow free loaner bear spray.)

Click here for a video of the first 2/3 of the descent on the Powerline/Gasline Trail. At the trailhead, driver will provide you with detailed maps and written directions. Click Here to see DBR's mountain bikes.

Length: 16 miles. Duration: 1 - 2 hours.

This route is for people who want more time hiking in the mountains but are doubtful about their ability to safely come back on the on mountain bike trail. It's also an option in the spring before the snow has melted on the Powerline Trail

This route is almost exactly the same as the route the van took to the trailhead so unless you want more time hiking in the mountains, it makes more sense to take the van both to and from the trailhead and rent a bike after you return downtown and take it on the Coastal Trail.

Length: 15 miles. Duration: 1 - 6 hours.

This route takes you past the Alaska Zoo ($15 admission)  and also Alaska's H2Oasis indoor water park.  ($25 adults/$30 Kids 12 and under.) After going under Seward Hwy take a right on the Old Seward Hwy. Left on E 100th. Right on King. Visit or ride past baseball batting cage. Continue on King. Visit or ride past Costco. Cross Dimond. Enter Campbell Creek Trail at Taku Lake Park. Ride midtown bike path next to C Street on a straight line to downtown.

Alternatively, follow the Campbell Creek Trail west then use bike paths buffered from road to Kincaid Park where Coastal Trail ends. Bike Coastal Trail another eleven miles to downtown.

Only riders in great shape should consider this route. The Powerline trail gradually climbs east six miles. (Left) The pass is so steep it's necessary to carry your bike over it (about 1/4 mile). A very steep 3-mile descent into Indian Valley is on the other side. Click here for an edited video ride of the route.  Then it is a 4-mile ride on a gravel road to the Seward Hwy, a 13 mile ride to south Anchorage, and another ten miles from there back downtown. Go to MTBR to read 16 reviews of this route.