The North Face Trail from Alyeska Resort: You’re gonna sweat for those amazing views!
The North Face Trail isn’t for wimps! This summer-only hike starts from the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood and motors straight up what’s normally a double-black-diamond ski run.
But don’t let that deter you: Spectacular views await, and if you make it all the way to the aerial tram station at the top, you can ride the tram back down to the resort for free. Just make sure you check the tram schedule first so you don’t get stuck.
You can do it the other way around, too — pay $35/adult to ride the tram up, then hike back down the trail. But you knees might not thank you for that choice; in some ways, hiking down a steep trail is worse than the labor of hiking up. And this trail is steep!
This is hike 58 in my guidebook Day Hiking Southcentral Alaska, and hike 1 in 50 Hikes Around Anchorage.
- Distance .
| Round Trip: 5 miles (2.5 miles one-way if you catch the tram) | Nearest community: Girdwood |
| Elevation gain: 2,075 feet | Typical season: June to October |
| Parking fee: No fee | Nearby trails: Winner Creek, Virgin Creek Falls, Raven Glacier/Crow Pass, Bird to Gird, California Creek, Beaver Pond Trail |
North Face Trailhead Directions
From Anchorage, drive south on the New Seward Highway to Girdwood. Turn left onto the Alyeska Highway, follow it to its end in a T-intersection, then turn left and follow the obvious signs for the Alyeska Resort. Walk to the hotel and follow signs for the aerial tram building. The trailhead is just behind this building, and the trail itself starts out as an unpaved maintenance road.
Hiking the North Face Trail
The hike itself is pretty straightforward: A broad, gravelly maintenance road that quickly transitions to a narrow footpath dotted with occasional rough-hewn steps and seasonal footbridges for crossing small, shallow streams.
The incline comes in steep uphill surges mixed with occasional flattish stretches, and once you’ve been on it you’ll understand why this is the site of the annual Alyeska Climbathon, a 10-hour fundraising race to do as many uphill laps on the trail as possible.
Every so often, the trail crosses underneath the aerial tramway. Yes, the people in the tram cars can see you — if they happen to look down. Go ahead and wave! The trail ends at the upper aerial tram dock, so if you choose to ride the tram back down, you might even end up sharing a tram car with some of the same people you waved at.
Recommended For You
Mount Eklutna: The perfect chaser after a hike up Bear Point
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.
