Youll love the old-time feel with modern amenities and luxury rooms. Access and parking: Parking is readily available in the parks along the Coastal Trail, including (from north to south): Elderberry Park (1297 W. Fifth Ave.), Margaret Eagan Sullivan Park (1824 W. 15th Ave.), Lyn Ary Park (2009 Foraker Drive), Earthquake Park (5101 Point Woronzof Road), Point Worzonof Overlook (9700 Point Woronzof Road) and Kincaid Park (9401 Raspberry Road). Rent bikes from Alaska Pablos near the north end of the trail. Explore different ways to experience this place. Your email address will not be published. They serve brunch, lunch, and dinner. In winter, the lagoon becomes an ice rink. Its essentially like quick sand! City riding, cool neighborhoods, views of the water and the great nature all make this trail a great few hours spent. Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. Bear+Whale Viewing, 2 Nat'l Parks, Boutique Hotels. Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. So, I dont think they purchase it for you to use, but they had probably 10 cans of it that had been left there. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Winter is too long and cold and dark there not to love it. Your ride will take place in the forested hills along the Cook Inlet. Encouraging Trail Use If youre looking for coffee or great breakfast food, check out Snow City Cafe. Cant believe I saw TWO moose on my one bike ride. All bike shops should offer helmets and a bike lock as a free option, but be sure to ask. Late last year, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake affected south-central Alaska, but the damage to the Coastal Trail has already been repaired, and the pathway is open. Here, bald eagles nest and fish, moose and the occasional coyote hang out along the trail, and beluga whales breech in the inlet. Plan your next trail adventure right from home! We were with a group so we had no choice of routes, so cycling (opposite) the runners felt wrong as they truly needed the space as they labored through their last miles, but we enjoyed it nevertheless. Tony Knowles Coastal Trail Scenic Bike Tour 90 Recommended Bike Tours from 11,654.91 per adult 2022 Wilderness Wildlife Glacier Experience. walkers, runners, families, and bears which we didn't see, but were told by other bikers that walked deeper into the trees. People were reporting moose and bear further down the trail, but we just did not get there, unfortunately. Uses: Walking, bicycling, inline skating, cross-country skiing; wheelchair accessible. A bull moose was walking on the trail around mile 7, and we stopped to take pictures for about 20 minutes! Pull over here to try your skills at the outdoor workout station. Start your second day off right with a delicious meal. First, moose are incredible to see up close. Have an amazing time! The Coastal Trail starts right in downtown Anchorage and ends in Kincaid Park. Second, holy shit this thing could kill me. Maggie's brother Peter, is one of the caretakers for the wooded area and mentioned a few years back that the snow along the trail would be perfect to make snowmen to add something fun along the path. Can you see the northern lights from Anchorage? more, This 191.7acre Anchorage park, which was created in 1994 as Municipal dedicated parkland, is highly valued for its wildlife habitat, coastal tidelands and recreational value. National Headquarters: One of the citys most popular places, this is where locals come to play, as it has something for everyone. All photos (14) 9 Day Alaska Wildlife Tour w. Bear+Whale Viewing, 2 Nat'l Parks, Boutique Hotels . Enjoy the wildflowers and trees, including a flex pine from interior Alaska and a sculpted larch. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail runs through it and the area has spectacular views of the inlet and surrounding mountain ranges. Ive never been to Alaska, and now Im thinking I need to go! Moose are commonly spotted around miles 7 and 8 as well as mile 11 at Kincaid Park. It connects with the Chester Creek Trail. All rights reserved. Moose, black bears, foxes and other wildlife might also be spotted among Kincaids verdant wilderness of birch and evergreens. Great bikes and excellent service, Hola vamos a viajar en septiembre en barco y llega al puerto el 3/9. Its a major jewel in the Anchorage parks and trails system.. Spot waterfowl, such as Rednecked Grebes with their large floating nests and Canada geese, which feed on the open lawns. Enter your e-mail and subscribe to our newsletter. Viator Exclusive: Go eBike Alaska on Tony Knowles Trail. Big ship or small ship? You can bike, walk or jog this amazing trail that goes along the shoreline of Anchorage. Earthquake Park, the site of the largest recorded earthquake in North American history, and the second largest in the history of the world. Fun way to spend a couple . $ Dessert American Gluten Free Options, $$ - $$$ Quick Bites Brew Pub Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ American Seafood Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ American Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options, $$$$ American Seafood Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ American International Contemporary, $$ - $$$ Asian Contemporary Vegetarian Friendly. Features:Wheelchair friendly, Kid friendly, Stroller friendly, Mountain biking, Road biking, Snowshoeing, Walking, Bird watching, Running, Beach, Forest, Paved, Views, Wildlife. As we neared Kincaid Park, a bull moose was mere feet off the trail! Downtown Bicycle Rentals is another venue, on 4th Avenue between C and D streets. History Happened Here As with all trails in Alaska, hikers should be prepared, dress in layers, and bring plenty of water, snacks, a map of the area, bear spray, and a well-charged cell phone. Cycling is hard! Fromepic hikes around the worldto adventures closer to my home inMinnesota, Im here to help you discover what adventure means to you! I will definitely be going back to Alaska! Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is a scenic route along the western flank of Anchorage. Viator Exclusive: Go eBike Alaska on Tony Knowles Trail. Well El Green-gos isnt just any taco or burrito place. Fun way to spend a couple . At the Alaska Native Heritage Center, learn about first peoples who have lived in this region for millennia. Alaska Botanical Garden showcases northern horticulture and native plants among a 110-acre spruce and birch woodland. On the other side of the mountains to the south, along Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet, youll find the Bird to Gird Pathway (13 miles). For emergencies within the park, call the Parks Canada dispatch service at 1-877-852-3100. Learn how your comment data is processed. The adorable snow bears that first popped up all over the trail last winter were created by local Ottawa artist Maggie Glossop. Bears, Trains & Icebergs Tour 75 Recommended Adventure Tours from $385.00 per adult 26 Glacier Cruise and Coach from Anchorage, AK 38 Recommended Bus Tours from $317.12 per adult Viator Exclusive: Go eBike Alaska on Tony Knowles Trail 29 Recommended Bike Tours from $125.00 per adult In addition to a lot of other trail users, you are very likely to encounter moose on the trail past the airport so keep your eyes peeled. The trail skirts the lush shoreline of the Westchester Lagoon, which offers an unparalleled opportunity for birdwatching, including shorebirds, waterfowl and even eagles. Susitna Place is in a quieter part of the city, near the trail, and offers stunning mountain views and comfortable rooms. Displays include memorabilia, photographs, films, and artifacts from personal collections of Alaskas pioneer aviators. What are some things to do and see as day trips around Anchorage? Due to the time of year and the length of my stay, I didnt make it to Denali either. It was fun to climb all over the rocks (although my friend lost his wallet somewhere in there lol). Youre most likely to see the latter munching on shrubs along the side of the trail. I did see moose at my hostel though! Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I biked on the trail today and saw what looked like muddy bear tracks. How to find a moose in Anchorage in less than an hour. Westchester Lagoon is a focal point of the trail, said Maeve Nevins-Lavtar, a project manager for Anchorages parks and recreation department. You are immersed in wildlife. Police and Fish and Game officials are asking anyone in the area to please be bear aware and take proper precautions if utilizing the trail, including being observant of your surroundings and carrying bear spray. From epic hikes around the world to adventures closer to my home in Minnesota, Im here to help you discover what adventure means to you! It's an 11-mile trek that stretches from downtown Anchorage to Kincaid Park. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, 29. . Do you love tacos? A few miles into the journey, the trailside Earthquake Park shares the heartbreaking story of the natural disaster that rocked the region in 1964. At the lagoon, the Coastal Trail also meets up with the Lanie Fleischer Chester Creek Trail, which heads east across town, traversing several parks along the way. (Were not sure how that translates to the turn of a standard bike wheel.) Use our calculator to find out, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear, View All Southcentral & Interior Towns on a Map, Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. At low tide you can touch the dense glacial silt of the mudflats (but do not walk on them). At this point, you may have already come across some local furred and feathered residents, bald eagles or red foxes, for example. Bear poop also. Its an absolutely stunning place to explore and, yes, there are endless things to do while youre there. Top ways to experience Tony Knowles Coastal Trail and nearby attractions. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. Built in 1916, the restored hotel is right downtown and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Seasons:All Year You'll find most of the bears in the Kitchisippi Woods part of the trail, though there are others on the Kichi Sibi Trail to find. Along the trail, you will notice similar signs for planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, as well as Pluto. function ml_webform_success_2601308(){var r=ml_jQuery||jQuery;r(".ml-subscribe-form-2601308 .row-success").show(),r(".ml-subscribe-form-2601308 .row-form").hide()} 7-10 days is the most common. Best Time of Year: If you didnt bring any with you, this is a great option, especially since bears are frequently seen along the trail. Stretching between Kincaid Park on the south end and where the railroad meets the sea at Ship Creek on the north end, the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail was named for a man who was both a mayor of the city as well as state governor (not simultaneously). On a rainy Saturday in June, we rode the trail on the same day as the marathon. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is a one of the most beautiful coastal trails in the nation; the trail gently winds along the coast eleven miles from downtown to the chalet at Kincaid Park and is by far Anchorage's most popular trail. What I like about Downtown Bicycle Rental is that they also manage the Flattop Shuttle to one of the most popular hikes in the Anchorage area. In addition, check TripAdvisor for a listing of outdoor guides who offer all kinds of guided adventures, from fishing to hiking to wildlife watching to boat and flight-seeing tours. At mile 11, I looked around waiting for the majestic creatures to make an appearance. Fortunately, there are several places to rent bikes in downtown Anchorage. With signposts every half mile, its nearly impossible to get lost! It follows part of the Knik Arm of Cook Inlet, named for the 18th-century explorer Captain James Cook. Posted 01/15/19 by document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Is it some kind of flaky cheese? Contact Field Offices. Youll love Anchorage, a thrumming city on the North American frontier and offering plenty of outdoor recreation and engaging history. The trail is deceiving at first, with overgrown and dense trees and bushes but after a short walk it opens up to reveal the sand dunes and beach. Rent a bike from the downtown area and cycle along the concrete path with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. The trail gives you a little snippet of what Alaska is like., Situated in the countrys most northern state, its important that the trail has year-round appeal. Trails for mountain biking, hiking and cross-country skiing crisscross the 1,400-acre park, and its chalet houses a Nordic ski center. Bicycles and pedestrians can to travel on any part of the park road, barring temporary wildlife-related closures. We had a beautiful ride enjoying our moose sighting, a view of Denali, and rainforest scenery. Of course, during summer, the sun doesnt set much! Westchester Lagoon: Burn some calories on the public outdoor workout station. Trail of the Month Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, The 9 Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse! Rentals: Pablos Bicycle Rentals (415 L St.; phone: 907.277.2453), open seasonally May through September, offers a variety of bikes for rent, including tandems and youth sizes; the shop is located about two blocks from the Coastal Trail. Rest on boulders brought in from the Chugiak Range (to the east) while viewing the immense mountains of the Alaska Range (to the north). Knik is the local Aleut word for fire. Visit the trail website for a few more details on what youll see as you pedal. I dont normally eat dairy but this was worth the making an exception!! Hello, If I can ask what was the name of the place you rented your bike from. Continuing past the citys airportwhere theres a trailside bench from which to watch the planes overhead and feel them rumble your air, according to Nevins-Lavtartravelers will reach Point Woronzof Park, another jaw-dropper with cliffside views overlooking the ocean. Best Vacation Value 1,014 Recommended Bus Tours from 16,518.11 per adult LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Wildlife and Glaciers with a walk in the Rainforest 161 Bus Tours from 9,642.55 per adult window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() { Thanks! My breath caught in my throat as I got my first glimpse of a moose walking just 20 feet away from me along the trail. Distance: 11 miles, each way Earthquake Park Exhibits: Describing how the 1964 earthquake shelved off a huge swath of land here. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights. It also has a nice planetarium, caf, and gift shop. Does the rental car need to be four-wheel drive? This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Its a nice place to watch sunsets if you want to return in the evening. The trail itself wraps around the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport property, offering views of the Cook Inlet in the Gulf of Alaska, the Chugach Mountain and, of course, Denali. If youre into birdwatching, take your time through this section and look up! With a magnitude of 9.2, it was the most powerful earthquake to strike North America and the second-largest earthquake ever recorded worldwide. This is also a perfect spot to view Mt. Uploaded: 3/14/2013. Wooden Bridge: Over Marsh Look for tall, furry cattail plants, and listen for the mating call of the northern wood frog which sounds like the quacking of a duck. Leave the bustling city behind, and explore a local treasure that tells a long tale of natural and human history The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. For more info, check out Snow City Cafes website. America's Trails, Trail Use. Chugach State Park is to the south and east of Anchorage and is accessible via Interstate 3. Grade: From downtown Anchorage, the northern half of the trail offers a relatively level grade. ), Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map, Denali National Park Campgrounds & RV Parks. One of the best ways to see Alaskabesides from the airis by train. (12/08/22), 3. Wild and Wonderful After waiting for some time and enjoying the view, feeling somewhat disappointed, I decided to circle the parking lot one last time before making my way back to Anchorage. We did see numerous cranes and geese in the flats. They even have a vegan queso that actually tastes good! OldGrowth: Grove Undisturbed by the earthquake or development, the oldgrowth trees in this location are more knotted than in other parts of the trail where the vegetation is more recent. We've highlighted the first five miles of the trail for you from the modern skyline of downtown to the open skies of Point Woronzof. In the Schools on Trails initiative, through the Anchorage Parks Foundation, they created customized trail maps for school districts and gave them to teachers so they can take kids outside, said Gallagher, noting that its an ongoing project with new maps being created all the time. More than 40% of the states residents live here, but that amounts to only a little more than 300,000. Tripadvisor gives a Travelers Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor. An Anchorage Police Department patrolman turning people back from the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail near Point Woronzof at around 8 p.m. said a "large black bear" had attacked a woman between there and the end of the east-west runway at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Theres always next time, right? The trail gives you a little snippet of what Alaska is like. If you like airplanes, visit the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum. Fun way to spend a couple hours! Bears are often spotted in the final ascent to Kincaid Park around miles 10 and 11. According to the Anchorage Police Department, the individual who was attacked suffered minor, non-life threatening injuries. You wont find views like this in your local gym! I can see very easily how you could lose your wallet in those rocks. Ok, three thoughts, where the hell was my camera? [ View and sign the petition here.] Welcome toThis Big Wild Worldtravel blog! Unlike sandy beaches of the south, pebbles and gravel left by glaciers coat the shoreline. 96% of travelers recommend this experience. I never biked it when I was there, just walked, but I loved the mud flats and beaches. For dinner, Anchorage wont leave you short on places to eat. We recommend booking Tony Knowles Coastal Trail tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Than 40 % of the place you rented your bike from the downtown area and cycle the... Info, check out Snow city Cafe, cross-country skiing crisscross the 1,400-acre Park, and we to! Four-Wheel drive Kincaids verdant Wilderness of birch and evergreens project manager for Anchorages Parks and recreation department:. 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Dinner, Anchorage to Denali National Park Campgrounds & RV Parks or great breakfast food, check Snow... Majestic creatures to make an appearance time to secure your spot short on to! Heritage Center, learn about first peoples who have lived in this for. Stretches from downtown Anchorage and ends in Kincaid Park my one bike ride the Tony trail.
