Was the location good to get to the start of the Trail. Heres a rundown of each to help you decide which is best for you. Are they fake tracks or is it possible a bear was there? The paved, relatively flat terrain accommodates walkers of all abilities and offers sweeping mountain, water and city views. Did you know that a 9.2 magnitude earthquake devastated much of Anchorage and the surrounding area on Good Friday in 1964? For more info, check out Snow City Cafes website. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail runs through it and the area has spectacular views of the inlet and surrounding mountain ranges. Fortunately, there are several places to rent bikes in downtown Anchorage. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, The 9 Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse! I really hope i dont run into any bear (only from a distance). From its panoramic views of Denali and the vast Cook Inlet to its intimate deep woods enclaves, the parkis New Frontiers for the Coastal Trail Best Vacation Value 1,021 Recommended Bus Tours from $197.00 per adult LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Wildlife and Glaciers with a walk in the Rainforest 163 Bus Tours from $129.00 per adult Anchorage Trolley Tour 1,827 Thanks, Sandra! without reservations), especially if you visit first thing in the morning. Named for former Alaska governor Tony Knowles, who served from 1994 to 2002, the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is one of four greenbelt trails located in Anchorage. Anchorage police say a bear attacked a hiker along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail near Point Woronzof on Sunday. This is also a perfect spot to view Mt. Many rest areas provide scenic views of Anchorage, the surrounding mountain ranges, and tidal inlets. To get farther into the park, youll have to take a shuttle or tour bus. On a beautiful sunny morning we rented ebikes from Pablo's (highly recommend) and rode the 22 mile round trip of the Tony Knowles coastal trail. Your email address will not be published. McKinley, and Denali. Viator Exclusive: Go eBike Alaska on Tony Knowles Trail. What part of the trail would we have the best chance of seeing moose, beluga whales? You might see red-necked grebes on their floating nests, as well as other wildfowl. Maggie encourages others to join in and also add to the collection of bears. How to find a moose in Anchorage in less than an hour. Youll know youve reached Kincaid Park when you see a chalet to your left and a soccer (football) field to your right. (Were not sure how that translates to the turn of a standard bike wheel.) The most popular portion of the 22-mile Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, named after Alaska's seventh governor, is the 11-mile stretch that winds along Knik Arm and Cook Inlet between Kincaid Park and downtown Anchorage. Great views of the city, awesome vistas of the inlet and a cool viewing spot for watching planes take off. Transportation and Health Welcome to This Big Wild World travel blog! I did see moose at my hostel though! 601 Crow Creek Rd., Girdwood, AK 99587. You wont find views like this in your local gym! The trail itself is well paved, sometimes hilly but congested in spots. Its a popular place; if you say youre going to the lagoon, people know what you mean.. We were with a group so we had no choice of routes, so cycling (opposite) the runners felt wrong as they truly needed the space as they labored through their last miles, but we enjoyed it nevertheless. The trail is marked by mileposts every 1/2 mile, beginning at 2nd Ave and H St, increasing as you travel Southwest. Toward the southern end of the trail, travelers will find three notable hills as they approach Earthquake Park, Point Woronzof and Kincaid Park. Your pictures are really making me want to go back and visit Alaska again sooner rather than later, I would love to see all the places I never did, like Talkeetna, Denali, Juneau, McCarthy, etc. Rent a bike from the downtown area and cycle along the concrete path with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 92% of travelers recommend this experience. The Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT) will one day stretch 138 miles from Puget Sound to the Pacific Ocean. Kincaid Grill and Wine Bar (dinner only) serves local game and seafood, steaks, chicken, and salads. You'll set off on a leisurely bike ride along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, a paved bike path offset from the road. Its the sunset spot in town, affirmed Michelle Fehribach, community engagement coordinator for the citys parks and recreation team. We have attempted to meet moose so many times, but always failed so far! Located at the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail at theOttawa River Pathway, the trail is a day trip away from Toronto at the nation's capital. Once you get past the airport you won't know that you are near a large city. Spot waterfowl, such as Rednecked Grebes with their large floating nests and Canada geese, which feed on the open lawns. Youll love the old-time feel with modern amenities and luxury rooms. This little food truck has adorable outdoor seating and possibly the best hot dog Ive ever had. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Feel free to reach out if you have questions as you get closer to your trip. Try their poached eggs with house-smoked salmon cakes. Explore different ways to experience this place. Tony Knowles Coastal Trail Scenic Bike Tour 90 Recommended Bike Tours from $139.00 per adult 2022 Wilderness Wildlife Glacier Experience. Trails for mountain biking, hiking and cross-country skiing crisscross the 1,400-acre park, and its chalet houses a Nordic ski center. The adorable snow bears that first popped upall over the trail last winter werecreated by local Ottawa artist Maggie Glossop. I opted for the Phoenix with smoky chili fries (10/10 would recommend) with a can of LaCroix for $14. Theres always next time, right? Comfortable weather, clean, well maintained path, amazing views all within a 5 mile ride. I havent always been a bike trail type of guy, but this trail could change that. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud. Go early before it gets too crowded. I can see very easily how you could lose your wallet in those rocks. This is only large sandy beach youll find in Anchorage, and its a fairly well-kept secret from visitors. The Denali Park Road is open to private vehicles to the Savage River Bridge (14.8 miles). I saw a moose in the early evening on the more remote portion of the trail past the airport. I put it in one of my water thermos pockets on my backpack, and when I checked a few hours into my hike, it was gone So irresponsible to lose something like that! Copyright 2001-2020 Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC). I believe that theres a sense of adventure inside of everyone, waiting to be discovered. Used railroad corridor: The Coastal Trail is partially built on the former Alaska Northern Railway. Fun way to spend a couple . Top ways to experience Tony Knowles Coastal Trail and nearby attractions. Tripadvisor gives a Travelers Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor. After conquering the routes most challenging spota notorious hill leading up to Kincaid Parkadventurers are rewarded with a plethora of recreational amenities at trails end, including soccer fields, a disc golf course, a fishing lake and an archery range. At mile 11, I looked around waiting for the majestic creatures to make an appearance. Also, because you're next to the coast, the tide can be watched coming and going and changing the mudflats constantly. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. I had two thoughts. For pub grub, Bear Tooth Theatrepub & Grill not only dishes up not pizza, Mexican fare, and homemade root beer, but you can watch a film while you eat. The trail is deceiving at first, with overgrown and dense trees and bushes but after a short walk it opens up to reveal the sand dunes and beach. We saw another bull moose farther into the woods later on. Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins, Cross Country Skiing on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. Trek Bike Rentals is located very close to Pablos Bike Shop, making it also quite convenient if you plan to bike the Coastal Trail. On its northern end, the trail also parallels active Alaska Railroad tracks for a short distance, a configuration known as rail-with-trail. Continuing past the citys airportwhere theres a trailside bench from which to watch the planes overhead and feel them rumble your air, according to Nevins-Lavtartravelers will reach Point Woronzof Park, another jaw-dropper with cliffside views overlooking the ocean. Not to wory, there are some delicious options right near the end of the trail. Viator Exclusive: Go eBike Alaska on Tony Knowles Trail, Tony Knowles Coastal Trail Scenic Bike Tour, Wilderness Wildlife Glacier Experience. The chalet, also called Kincaid Outdoor Center, is open year around from 12:30pm to 8:30pm except for major holidays. Copyright 2022 KTUU. Aside from moose and bears, its common to spot beluga whales, coyotes and other wildlife along the trail. Uses: Walking, bicycling, inline skating, cross-country skiing; wheelchair accessible. The river has carved deep channels in the mud flats (when the tide is out, you can see them) and, in late summer, salmon migrate up to the estuary to spawn. This trail is an excellent year-round recreational resource that runs from downtown Anchorage in the north to Kincaid Park in the south, thereby hugging almost all of Anchorage's western shoreline and also making it easily accessible from many points in the city. This is what captivated me about Alaska. 2121 Ward Court, NW, 5th Floor Yaaaay Im so happy you did this, and saw a moose!!! Susitna Place is in a quieter part of the city, near the trail, and offers stunning mountain views and comfortable rooms. In addition to the natural beauty of the route, theres history to be learned here, too. Fun way to spend a couple hours! Traversing ancestral lands of the Coast Salish Join TrailLink (a non-profit) to view more than 40,000 miles of trail maps and more! 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