Our walk went from the tant city at Railroad Depot to the Point Woronzof and enjoyed every minute of it. This trail gave us a perfect opportunity to admire the wilderness part of Anchorage. Sadly, we didn't share the trail with any moose or bears, but we got to see a beautiful Sandhill Crane feeding with the downtown Anchorage as a backdrop, Magpies, muskrat chilling in a pond, and a North American Red Squirrel baby dozing off on a branch within our reach. The views didn't disappoint at any point of the trail, but the last 2 miles before the Point Woronzof was probably my favorite. Keep in mind, however, that that part also has quite a bit of an incline. A little extra fun was to watch planes come in overhead right before they land. If you are in Anchorage for a short time, this is the way to experience that rural/urban mix the city is known for.

We rented e-bikes and did the trail from downtown all the way to the southern end and back. It was fantastic! Somewhat crowded at times, but just take your time, go slow, and enjoy the amazing scenery. You can stop to watch the planes land directly over your head at the airport, and take the alternate route back to go by the sea plane base.

The Coastal Trail is an 11-mile bike trail starting in downtown Anchorage. It traverses the coast, as you’d expect, providing many scenic views, as well as marshes, and forests. Along the way there are signs about the 1964 earthquake, the planets and the wildlife and you can watch airplanes come in for a landing at the foot of the international airport’s runway. I saw multiple moose in the forest along the side of the road. The Trail is completely paved and generally in good condition with only a few bumps. There are no road crossings at all. It has a hilly section in the middle (150 feet maximum climb) and a very steep hill at the end (200 feet in less than a mile). The Trail is not that crowded but it’s not a great course for fast rides as it has many sharp, blind curves.