Looking to spot Alaska wildlife and see spectacular views of Cook Inlet, Mt. McKinley, Denali, and the city skyline while in Anchorage? Then, you will make plans to explore the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. This urban trail is a one-of-a-kind experience in Anchorage that gives you the best chance to see both the local wildlife AND the views. Whether you are visiting Anchorage or just want to explore your own backyard, the Tony Knowles Coastal Bike Trail is an ideal ride for all skill levels – from novice to expert.
I had the opportunity to visit Anchorage, Alaska for the first time Fall 2021 and it was an amazing trip. I wasn’t familiar with the area and wanted to see “all the things”, I started with a guided tour of Tony Knowles Coastal Bike Trail run by Alaska Trail Guides.
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What is the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail?
The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is an easy 11 mile out and back trail located in Anchorage. It follows the coastline along the Cook Inlet and gives you the best views of the Inlet, the city skyline, Mt. McKinley, and Denali. The trail starts downtown and ends in beautiful Kincaid park.
The bike trail is popular with cyclists, walkers, and runners. Dogs are allowed on the trail as long as they are on a leash. During the winter months, some sections of the trail are popular with cross-country skiers.
The lack of major climbs/descents makes this an easy ride. However, there is one incline near the airport runway overlook which will have you questioning what exactly is Alaskans’ definition of “easy.” It did for me anyway, but rest assured that once you make it to the top of this “easy” hill, you can pull over onto an open, grassy area and catch your breath. It’s also a great stop to watch airplanes taking off overhead.
What makes this trail unique??
This multi-use, urban trail goes between the mountains and the Cook Inlet which means you have views of all three. You can snag some great photos of the coastline, mountains, and cityscape from different viewpoints along the trail. Trust me when I say the views are just simply breathtaking.
This trail provides the best opportunities for wildlife viewing. You will likely see bald eagles, harbor seals, and moose. On my ride, I saw a bald eagle, two meese (moose), as well as other birds in the distance.
The trail is well-maintained and easy to navigate which makes it enjoyable for all skill levels including families with young children or those biking with friends.
With so much beauty, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but my top four would be looking back at the city skyline, the view of the Inlet, spotting Denali, and watching a moose with her calf just off the trail.
How Do You Get to The Trail?
There are a number of points where you can access the trail.
From Downtown Anchorage, you can follow the Coastal Trail signs. The entrance to the trail is located right next to Fire Island Grill on E St. between 6th and 7th Avenues. If you are heading south along the Coastal Trail, you will start by riding along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail which is a path that stretches for nine miles from downtown to the airport.
Another popular starting point is at Earthquake Park. This is the site that commemorates the 1964 earthquake (9.2 magnitude) that drastically changed the landscape from Anchorage to Seward. To start here, park in the lot on Point Woronzof Road.
From Kincaid Park, you can park in the lot on Raspberry Road and follow the Coastal Trail signs. You can also park on Raspberry Road and head south along the Coastal Trail.
Need a Bike for the Trail?
You can rent bicycles from a number of area shops. Alaska Trail Guides provides standard bikes, flat tire bikes, and pedal-assist rentals with free delivery within Anchorage. They also offer a number of guided bike tours.
Guided Bike Tour
I went out with Alaska Trail Guides on their 2-hour Coastal Cruise Bike Tour. This tour doesn’t take you along the full 11-mile route. Instead, you ride out and back for about 9 miles. The cost for adults is $109 and includes a bike, helmet, rain jacket (if needed), water, snacks, and transportation from the downtown Anchorage Visitor Center to the starting point. (Note: Many area tour companies can pick you up at this downtown visitor center.)
On my ride, we started at Earthquake Park and saw quite a bit on our trip south. The benefits of hiring a guide include the ability to hear about the history of Anchorage and learn about the sights as we rode. It was our guide who pointed out the moose and her calf along the trail. She knew where to look and we would have otherwise missed her. I highly recommend taking this tour if you have limited time in Anchorage.
What are Some Viewpoints you Shouldn’t Miss?
A few spots along the trail provide a place where you can stop for a quick break – like after that incline near the airport I mentioned earlier. I recommend taking breaks at one of the viewpoints in Kincaid Park, by either Ship Creek or under the Chester Creek bridge in order to take in all the views! Here are a few other suggestions:
Anchorage Skyline – You get a great view just west of Earthquake Park and past Postmark Drive. Keep a lookout for a resident Bald Eagle that nests nearby.
Airplanes Taking Off – At Point Woronozof, a peninsula a little further west of Earthquake Park, you can watch the planes take off from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. This is also a great place to see both Mt. Susitna, also known as the Sleeping Lady, and Mt. Redoubt, an active volcano that erupted with minor ash clouds in 2009 and 2010.
Mt. McKinley/Denali – While you probably won’t see Denali (the tallest mountain in North America), you will get a good view of Mt. McKinley (20,320 feet high). It is located 225 miles away and the closest peak that you can see from Anchorage. During my visit, I was lucky enough to see both but I’m told that is a rare sighting as Denali is often shrouded by clouds.
Beluga Whale Sightings – Sightings are common in Cook Inlet and the Cook Inlet watershed. They can often be seen from the trail, but they’re also known to frequent Kincaid Park and Point Woronzof (remember, that’s the peninsula mentioned above where you can see planes taking off at Ted Stevens International Airport).
Planet Walk Markers – All along the route you will see these markers for the Anchorage Light Speed Planet Walk. This one shown above is Neptune. The planet walk is a scale model of our solar system starting at the Sun (G Street and 5th) and ending with Pluto. Each marker provides information about the walk as well as fun facts about each planet.
Fireweed – This should be the official flower of Alaska as it’s everywhere! Fireweed starts blooming in spring and continues through summer. The flowers above are at the top of the plant which signals the coming of fall.
What Should You Bring?
This is an urban ride that follows the coastline, but you should still bring along your essentials – water, snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, and definitely a camera (and your camera bag – it was raining on our ride so I was overjoyed that I brought my Peak Design Everyday Tote (camera bag) that is water-resistant.) Be sure to use the restrooms before you set off.
Another note: if you’re visiting mid-summer and/or during a holiday weekend, be aware that parking can be an issue. If you choose to ride at night (it’s not recommended), keep in mind that the trail is not well lit and there are multiple blind spots, so be sure to wear reflective clothing.
What Should You Wear?
What you wear on this trail ultimately depends on the weather and time of year. Layers are always a good idea. I would recommend wearing clothes that are comfortable for riding. Long pants are a good idea just in case you fall over on the trail.
The area is home to Devil’s Claw, also known as Cow Parsnip, a large leaf perennial that excretes a chemical that can cause severe skin reactions when exposed to sunlight. You’ll want to protect your skin from this plant with long pants, gloves, and lightweight long sleeves if you plan to be out in high concentrations of this plant.
During my ride in early September, it started raining shortly after our group departed. Fortunately, we all had rain jackets. I wore my Mishmi Takin Qaras waterproof jacket, Patagonia R1 Tech Fleece, Patagonia Windshield Pants, Smartwool socks, and Reebok runners.
Tips for visiting the Tony Knowles coastal bike trail
- Bring water and snacks to enjoy while on the trail.
- Remember to wear sunscreen and carry more in your day pack. You will want to reapply sunscreen every few hours.
- If you want to make a half-day of it, pack a picnic lunch in Kincaid Park!
- Anchorage is a temperate rainforest and rapidly changing weather is not uncommon. Consider bringing a rain shell or light jacket. Better safe than wet!
- If you are visiting Anchorage in the summer months, consider doing the trail after 10 AM because it does get pretty crowded between 7-10 AM with walkers, runners, and bikers.
- If you’re visiting during the winter, keep in mind that this is a multi-use path so remember to yield to skiers. They have the right of way.
- If you are driving to a lot and then cycling the trail, remember to never leave your car with valuables inside. If you have to, lock them in the trunk where they will be out of sight from passersby.
If you’re visiting Anchorage, be sure to ride the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. This urban trail is a great way to get out and enjoy the city from a different perspective while taking in some of Alaska’s natural beauty. The coastal views are spectacular but it can also be somewhat challenging due to its length so make sure you bring plenty of water and snacks. If you have time, pack a picnic lunch for Kincaid Park or take advantage of all that downtown Anchorage has to offer before your journey back home!
Note: I received a tour trade discount with Alaska Trail Guides for editorial consideration.
The trail is named after Tony knowls. Not John.
Thanks Kristofer for your note. I really appreciate it! I wrote that name down wrong when I visited, but have corrected the article.