Seward Highway
Hiking Around the Highway, AK

See the Seward Highway from a hiker's perspective. All along the byway, travelers will find opportunities to get out of the car and enjoy the scenery up close. Among the many places to hike, there are 15 trail heads off of the byway itself. They include:

At milepost 111.8, visitors will find both a trailhead and a picnic area. A waterfall, a short wheelchair accessible trail, and informational displays are all unique features at this stop on the byway.

Visit this trail of marvelous views and delicious berry-picking along the climb. The hike is fairly strenuous and extends for 2.5 miles, but it will delight the senses.

This site is on the National Register of Historic Places and give visitors a glimpse of mining in the early 1900's. Hiking opportunities are also available here at milepost 104.1.

This 2 mile hike is located at milepost 102.2. The hike is moderate to strenuous and leads hikers to views of Turnagain Arm and Chugach State Park. Hikers will likely need warm, windproof gear for this hike.

This 23-mile trail follows a portion of the historic Iditarod Trail which connects Seward to Nome. Hikers don't have to endure the Iditarod, but they will be treated to the outstanding views of mountian lakes and streams. This trailhead is located at milepost 63.8.

This 9.5-mile hike climbs 1,400 feet from the byway over Devil's Pass to connect with the Resurrection Pass Trail. Hikers are treated to magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and good fishing at the trailhead at milepost 39.5.

Located at milepost 33.2, this trailhead provides access to two beautiful trails. The Carter Lake Trail climbs 986 feet in two miles. After a fairly steep hike along a well-developed trail, hikers are rewarded by great views of alpine meadows, surrounding mountains, and Carter Lake. The lake has good fishing for grayling and rainbow trout. Hikers can continue for an additional 4.5 miles along the Crescent Creek Trail which leads through spruce and cottonwood forests to end at the Sterling Highway near the Quartz Creek Road.

At milepost 33.2, visitors will find the turnout to Johnson Pass Trail. Stretching for 23 miles, this historic gold rush era trail ends south of Turnagain Pass to the north.

This trailhead is also home to a campground and picnic area. Hiking along the mountainside, visitors have been known to see mountain goats and moose along the trail. Located at milepost 23.1, hike here and stay awhile for a campout.

This trailhead is located at milepost 17 where it overlooks the Kenai Lake. Hike through thick forest for 6.5 miles to connect with the Lost Lake Trail.

Grayling Lake Trailhead is a short 1.6-mile trail that begins at milepost 13.3. It leads hikers to a series of small lakes that include: Grayling, Meridian, and Leech Lake. The lakes provide good fishing for grayling. Lucky hikers may see moose and other wildlife along the hike.

When you pass milepost 11.4, stop to explore the hiking trail to Golden Fin Lake. The trail is often wet, so hikers will want to bring rubber boots to get to a place where the best Dolly Vardens on the trail live.

This more difficult 7-mile trail rises 1,820 feet from the trailhead to the lake. Locate at milepost 5.1, this scenic trail offers lovely views of the southern area along the byway.

The turnoff to Exit Glacier is located at milepost 3.7. At the end of the Exit Glacier access road, visitors will find a 16-mile-long national forest trail that ties in with the Russian Lakes trail. It is part of a 75 mile trail that connects Hope with Seward.