Virgin Creek Falls: The nicest little waterfall hike in Alaska
Hikes in Alaska don’t come any shorter or sweeter than Virgin Creek Falls. The falls are small but beautiful, and they generate a respectable roar as they come shooting into a misty, almost tropical-feeling grotto.
The hike to Virgin Creek Falls is so short (less than a half-mile, round-trip) that I sometimes hesitate to label it as a hike. But there are plenty of tree roots and uneven ground along the way, not to mention a few steep drop-offs overlooking the creek and its falls. That covers enough spaces on the Alaska hiking bingo card for this trail to earn a place on this website.
This is hike 4 in my guidebook 50 Hikes Around Anchorage.
| Round Trip: 0.4 miles | Nearest community: Girdwood |
| Elevation gain: 150 feet | Typical season: May to October |
| Parking fee: No fee | Nearby trails: Winner Creek, North Face, Raven Glacier/Crow Pass, Bird to Gird |
Virgin Creek Falls Trailhead Directions
Take the New Seward Highway south from Anchorage to Girdwood. Turn left on the Alyeska Highway. Just before the highway ends in a T intersection, turn right onto Timberline Drive. The trailhead is at the uphill end of the road in a small cul de sac; please respect homeowners’ privacy and access. Don’t park in anyone’s driveway, block driveways or turnarounds, etc.
Walking to Virgin Creek Falls
There really isn’t much to say about this trail, as it’s quite short and straightforward. You strike the obvious footpath out of the cul-de-sac, then follow alongside the cascading creek until you reach a lookout over the small but unmistakable Virgin Creek Falls.
However, there are a few caveats to keep in mind. The first is that the trailhead is tiny (expect parking for one vehicle, maybe two) and smack in the middle of a residential neighborhood. Please be considerate of the residents and if there’s no room to park without blocking someone’s driveway or emergency access, go have one of the famous bread bowls of soup in The Bake Shop and try the hike again later.
The second big caveat is that even though this hike is very short, you still need to pay attention to where you’re going. Locals use this hike as an access to trek further up the neighboring mountains, or you can hike a bit further up to see Virgin Creek as a rippling cascade before it accelerates into the falls proper. But there are so many braided footpaths here that it’s easy to get disoriented if you’re not paying attention.
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Lisa Maloney
A long-time Alaskan, Lisa has written three award-winning guidebooks including "Day Hiking Southcentral Alaska" and "50 Hikes Around Anchorage." She also served as senior editor of Alaska magazine and has written hundreds of newspaper columns and magazine articles about her adventures around the state. Learn more about her at http://maloneywrites.com.
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