Heart of Alaska Hiking Journey
Inn-Based Hiking Tours
6 Days, 5 Nights 35.7 MI / 57 KM
Trip Highlights
Discover the heart of Alaska on this unforgettable lodge-based hiking journey from Fairbanks to Anchorage. Explore the vast wilderness of Denali National Park, the scenic Talkeetna Mountains, and the iconic landscapes of Southcentral Alaska while hiking alpine ridges, wandering through boreal forests, and taking in sweeping mountain vistas. Along the way, watch for iconic wildlife, uncover Alaska’s rich history, and unwind in welcoming lodges each evening. Combining spectacular scenery, rewarding hikes, and authentic Alaska charm, this journey offers an immersive experience in the Last Frontier.
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Fairbanks to Anchorage
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Denali National Park
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Cozy Alaskan Lodges
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Alpine Ridge Hiking
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Talkeetna Mountain Trails
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Alaska Wildlife Viewing
Book This Trip
View Dates
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Inn-Based Hiking Tours -
Trip Length
6 Days, 5 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
Up to 9 miles -
Group Size
2-6 Guests
Receive a PDF info packet via email which includes:
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
The hiking in Alaska is generally quite rugged. Expect sections of muddy, wet, overgrown and possibly snow-covered sections of trail. Most days feature moderate hikes, with some longer hikes (up to 9 miles) some sections of trails can be steep and rocky.
Accommodations vary by location. Some cabins and yurts do not have running water, and bathroom and shower facilities may be shared with other guests.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
Drive Time: 2.5 hours
Hiking Distance: 4.8 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1400 feet
Welcome to Alaska! Our adventure begins in Fairbanks, where we’ll gather for breakfast before setting out on our first hike in Denali National Park. Our hike explores this remarkable wilderness, where vast tundra, rugged peaks, and sweeping vistas showcase the scale and beauty of Alaska’s interior. Along the way, we’ll encounter the park’s famous canine rangers, the working sled dogs that continue a long tradition of supporting park operations in this remote and wild environment.
After our time on the trail, we’ll return to our accommodations with time to relax and refresh before gathering for a hearty dinner and another memorable evening in the shadow of Denali.
Day 2
Drive Time: none
Hiking Distance: 6 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 900 feet
Today we hike right outside our door. We will adventure along the Triple Lakes Trail in Denali National Park. We start at the Tsenesdghaas Na’ Trailhead and travel through the traditional homeland of the Athabascan People.
As we venture along the longest trail in Denali we will experience the history of the area. The area was created by a giant glacier, which deposited huge boulders in otherwise empty fields.
As always, keep an eye out for wildlife, wildflowers, and, depending on the time of year, berries you can snack on along the way.
After our hike, we’ll return to our accommodations where we’ll settle in for a comfortable evening and enjoy a delicious dinner.
Day 3
Drive Time: 3.5 hours
Hiking Distance: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,300 feet
After breakfast, we’ll bid farewell to Denali National Park and continue south toward the Talkeetna Mountains. Along the way, we’ll enjoy a classic ridgeline hike with sweeping views of the Alaska Range. On a clear day, we may catch a glimpse of Denali rising above the surrounding peaks, a memorable sight that few visitors forget.
Following our hike, we’ll continue our journey through Alaska’s scenic backcountry to our lodge near the Talkeetna Mountains. Surrounded by peaceful wilderness, this inviting retreat offers the perfect place to relax, reflect on the day’s adventures, and settle in for a comfortable evening.
Day 4
Drive Time: 15 minutes
Hiking Mileage: 6.3 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 761 feet
Today’s hike begins right outside our lodge, following a historic mining road that gradually climbs through open meadows before narrowing into a peaceful backcountry trail. With expansive mountain views, gentle grades, and wide-open landscapes, this route offers a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the quiet beauty of the Talkeetna Mountains. After our hike, we’ll return to our cozy cabins to relax and enjoy the serene surroundings. Following dinner, we may gather around a campfire to share stories and unwind beneath Alaska’s expansive evening sky.
Day 5
Drive Time: 2 hours
Hiking Distance: up to 9 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: up to 300 ft
Today, our journey takes us to Eklunta Lakeside in Chugach State Park. The trail runs along the beautiful turquoise lake and is a great place to spot bears, moose, and several species of birds. The views are phenomenal with peaks on all sides and, depending on the season, beautiful wildflowers.
Tonight we head back to our cabins with an opportunity to use pedal boats on their private lake.
Day 6
Drive Time: 2 hours
Hiking Distance: 3.1 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 344 feet
Our journey continues south through some of Alaska’s most spectacular scenery before we set out on the Albert Loop Trail, a gentle hike that winds through boreal forest and offers beautiful views of Eagle River and the surrounding Chugach Mountains. This is another rich wildlife habitat area, keep those eyes peeled.
Our hike begins and ends at the Eagle River Nature Center, where interpretive exhibits provide insight into the region’s ecology, wildlife, and natural history. Following our hike, we’ll make our way to Anchorage, where our adventure comes to a close. As we say our goodbyes, we’ll reflect on an unforgettable week of exploring Alaska’s wild landscapes, from the vast wilderness of Denali to the rugged mountains, forests, and glaciers that make the Last Frontier so extraordinary.
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
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What's Included
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5 nights of double occupancy lodging (single occupancy requires an additional single supplement fee)
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Top-of-the-line daypack and trekking poles
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All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Transportation for the duration of the tour, beginning in Fairbanks and ending in Anchorage
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Entrance fees and national park permits
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Bear safety equipment including bear spray canisters
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
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Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to the national parks
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Alcoholic beverages
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
Denali Grizzly Bear Resort
0-2 Nights
The Denali Grizzly Bear Resort is along the banks of the Nenana River with beautiful river or mountain views from your private deck. Each room is furbished in cedar and provides 2 double beds with a flat screen TV and full bathroom including tub. Family owned and operated for over 50 years. (private bathrooms/showers)
Hatcher Pass Lodge
0-2 NIGHTS
Perched in a glacial-carved valley above treeline at 3,000 feet in the Talkeetna Mountains, this rustic lodge is in a perfect spot to experience the full spectrum of outdoor adventure in Alaska. We will enjoy individual, cozy, charmingly rustic cabins. The value of this accommodation is in its superb location and its perfect reflection of Alaskan culture. (dry cabins with marine style toilets, flush toilets and showers available in main lodge)
Meier Lake
0-1 NIGHT
Meier Lake is a completely restored Alaskan summer camp that sits on a private lake. This is a rustic location with no TVs or phones.
This location has dry cabins so the showers are in a shared shower house. The shower house has individual bathrooms with their own shower, toilet, and sink.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
You will meet your guide and group at 6:00 am in Fairbanks on the morning of Day 1. Your guide will email you approximately 10 days in advance to coordinate the rendezvous and answer any last-minute questions you have.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Fairbanks, AK
Fairbanks International Airport and its connecting flights from many major US cities make Fairbanks very accessible. The major airlines that fly to Fairbanks are Delta, United, American, Alaska Airlines and Sun Country.
Pre and Post Trip On Request Lodging
We secure limited amounts of pre-trip lodging in Fairbanks and post-trip lodging in Anchorage, AK as an optional add-on for guests of this trip. This lodging is on request, and is available on a first come, first serve basis. If interested, please reach out directly to our team to check availability.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time during the pre-trip communication. Generally, you can expect it to be around 6:00 am, although the exact time will depend on several factors such as planned activities, current weather and road conditions. On the final day of the trip, you can expect a return to Anchorage around 5:00 pm, and your guide will drop you off at your hotel or the airport. Note: A variety of circumstances can influence our timeline on the final day of a trip, therefore Wildland Trekking does not guarantee return times.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
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