Easy hikes and walks in Alaska

Ascending Hatch Peak from the east is a pretty easy hike up a narrow ridge trail. If you choose to make a full loop and continue back down into the bowl along the western ridgeline, be prepared for hiking on big pieces of loose rock and large, jagged scree.

Built in 2005, the Denali Visitor Center and its surrounding campus are definitely worth a stop, either at the beginning or end of your trip. The center itself is the National Park Service's primary welcome and information center. Surrounding facilities include a restaurant, gift shop, bag check, bus stop, and train depot. The visitor center is open only during the summer and is located near the park entrance. During the summer, you can explore the exhibits, watch the park film, pay park admission, and speak with a ranger. During the fall, winter, and spring, the Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) serves as the park's winter visitor center. https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/the-denali-visitor-center.htm

The Denali Visitor Center, located right at the entrance to Denali National Park, is the perfect starting point for your adventure in this rugged and fascinating landscape of Alaska. Here you will not only get useful information about the hiking trails and the wildlife, but you can also watch the park film Heartbeats of Denali, which will introduce you to the different facets of this breathtaking place. The exhibition in the center also gives you insights into the unique flora and fauna of the region. The area around the visitor center offers access to several popular hiking trails such as the Horseshoe Lake Trail and the Mt. Healy Overlook Trail. The Mt. Healy Overlook in particular rewards you after a steep climb with an impressive panoramic view of the park's vast landscape. There are also nearby trails for quieter hikes that lead through the dense forests and along the rivers and are ideal for relaxed exploration. A special highlight are the ranger-led tours and presentations that give you insights into the history of the park and its natural wonders. The Denali Visitor Center is not only an information point, but also a place that lets you immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere and the pristine nature of the wilderness - perfect for getting in the mood for the great Denali adventure.

Large beaver dam, with a bit of luck you can also see the beaver.

From Bodenburg Butte you have a great 360° view of the surrounding mountains and the Knik Glacier, which feeds the Knik River of the same name. The butte itself was also formed by glacial activity. The panoramic view is definitely worth the strenuous climb (including a staircase with 527 steps).

Blueberry Knoll is named for the plentiful berries that populate its slopes in autumn—but this is such a popular area that they get picked out very quickly. Blink, and you'll miss them! You'll hike right past the knoll on your way up Flattop, or you can treat it as its own destination, hiking a complete loop around it to enjoy the views in all directions before you head back down.

There are numerous hot springs in Alaska, but they're often remote, hard to reach, and hardly developed (if at all). By contrast, Chena Hot Springs Resort is fully built out, with a variety of lodge/hotel rooms, a good restaurant, a year-round ice museum (as in a museum built out of carved ice and decorated with ice sculptures), multiple tour options, and a rock pool around the hot springs. A day-use fee does apply for the hot springs. This destination is even more popular in the winter, when it becomes a prime destination for aurora-viewing tours.

The Denali National Park Visitor Center is a must stop when visiting the park. Inside of the Visitor Center itself are exhibits and a short film about the history, environment, and ecology of Denali National Park. You can also get park and trail maps, chat with rangers, who are invaluable resources, and visit the gift shop. The Visitor Center is also where you can obtain passes and permits. There is wifi and restrooms for you to use there as well. Several trailheads are accessible from just outside the facility.