Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is a scenic route along the western flank of Anchorage. The trail stretches across 11 miles (18 kilometres) of woodland and rocky bluffs. Spot whales in search of salmon among moving ice blocks in the Cook Inlet.
Rent a bike from the downtown area and cycle along the concrete path with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. In winter, pairs of skis replace the bicycles and roller skates.
The path features part of the Anchorage Light Speed Planet Walk, a scale model of our solar system. Note the sizes and distances between the planets. It is arranged so you walk to each model planet in the same time it takes for sunlight to reach the real planet. Arrive at Earth from the sun in 8 minutes and finally pass Pluto after 5 or 6 hours.
Explore Earthquake Park to learn about the devastating tremor in 1964 that led to an entire neighbourhood slipping into the ocean.
Reach Point Woronzof Park toward the end of the trail. Go skiing or snowmobiling in winter. Enjoy a picnic and gaze up at nesting swallows and bald eagles in summer. Walk through the forests of birch and other trees on the hills. See the bizarre mating rituals of ravens, as they perform acrobatics in the air. Watch jets taking off and landing at the adjacent airport.
Fly a kite in the final destination of Kincaid Park, a vast area of 1,400 acres (570 hectares). Take in the fantastic view of North America’s highest peak, Denali. It reaches an altitude of 20,320 feet (6,200 metres). See other rock giants, such as Mount Foraker, to the north.
The trail is one of the main parts of the annual Tour of Anchorage cross-country ski marathon. It is free to use the path, which remains open at all times.
The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail starts in the city centre of Anchorage and runs west along the coast to Kincaid Park. Land in Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, which is next to the trail. Buses run from the downtown area to several parts of the path.
