Tony Knowles Coastal Trail

I’ve heard this trail wins the #4 spot for most beautiful city bike trail in the nation. I think that’s bunk. It deserves the #1 slot, hands down. After all, this is Alaska!
Having been up here already a bunch of times during the winter, we came up to see it Summer 2014, the last summer before we moved here, and rented bikes downtown so we could check this trail out. It was awesome. Spectacular scenery only to be found in Alaska!
We started downtown and ended up riding along the coast overlooking the cliffs abutting the mudflats. We noted also that when the curvature is just right, you can see downtown Anchorage as you’re riding along. You also wind in and out of various residential sections, which mixes it up a bit. One of the coolest parks for kids I’ve seen up here is shortly after the trail begins. If you want to stop and sightsee a bit, there are spots to do that as well; one of which is Earthquake park.
We never made it as far as Kincaid park, but our plan is to eventually fix that. The whole trail is super pretty, in my opinion. We love point Woronzof because of the view and the fact you can watch the jets take off from the airport.
If you’re a regular cyclist, the trail is pretty easy. If you’re just beginning the process of getting back in shape, some of the hills might be a bit of a pain, but it’s not that hard. Half the reason we moved here is because Anchorage is so bike friendly, and this trail is a direct illustration of that fact.
It so happens the place we are currently renting is all of five minutes from this trail, and wouldn’t you know I had to go and break my leg three weeks ago. I am dying to ride this trail in the Fall, which is my favorite riding season.

Well kept trail with gorgeous views! Fairly flat and great for walking, jogging, or biking. I even saw a roller blading mom pushing a stroller. Definitely recommend the trip to Earthquake Park if you’re a visitor. The area around the lagoon is pretty as well.

Great for a walk along the water. And easy enough to hop back into town when you feel like it. There are placards along the way. Some historical sights. Train tracks. Coastline. Don’t go down… It can be like quicksand. Very beautiful… On a clear day. Just a nice walk in general. Benches too along the way.
To find it just pick up a map from some where and find the trail going along the north part of downtown. Then just walk as long as you want.
I didn’t see any wildlife when i walked it. But doesn’t mean they don’t exist! Just be aware…

The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail runs from 2^nd Avenue in Anchorage all the way down to Kincaid Park while passing through larger parks like Westchester Lagoon area, Earthquake Park, Point Woronzof Park. The trail runs along the Knik Arm and on most days you can share the trail with other walkers, runners, bikers and sometimes even wildlife like bears and moose.
All in all, this ends up being about 20ish miles roundtrip. Don’t worry, you’re not confined to the trail either. There are many runoffs leading back to civilization. And even some benches along the way to sit back and enjoy the view.

We had a blast doing this trail, we did almost 4 miles altogether, I think. We saw moose up close and personal! There was a bull moose chomping on some berries/​leaves by the trail — he was pretty close, so we were very quiet. It was very cool to see him. The planes landing over us was cool too! They were so close because we came in from the airport side.

Seriously, what is not to like?!
I’m shocked Anchorage is not more well-​known for this trail, it is that good.
Where else can you be in a city of 300,000+ people and ride for miles… UNINTERRUPTED by any car traffic? Seriously, you can just freaking cruise. Right by the water, gaze at 11,000 ft peaks, intersect parks… all the way to the airport and then some, if you want to. I’ve never seen a bike trail like this before, in ANY urban area. It is very impressive.
It’s also very likely that you’ll see some moose, should you do the whole thing.
Locals scramble to live close to an entrance point of the trail (including this one) and dozens of tourists rent bikes downtown to get on this trail before departing for other parts of the state.
Great freakin’ trail.

All segments are good but the best is Pt. Woronzof parking lot to Kincade Park. I’ve probably traveled at least 4 miles of the trail between 100 and 200 times. Seen a moose on around 80% of the trips. Black Bear only twice; but one of those was a sow and three cubs! Only problem is the occasional person with an unleashed dog. If you have a leashed dog, consider a pocket-​sized bear-​spray to protect against unleashed dog attacks.

Rent a bike in town and do this trail! It is beautiful and unforgettable. A great way to experience the Alaska wilderness from the seat of your bike.
We had the pleasure of running into a bull moose and took a detour hike on some mud flats.
Great adventure. Highly recommend

I have been living next to the start of the Coastal Trail for four years now and it is one of the main reasons I love where I live.
The trail is about 10 miles from the start in downtown to the end at Kincaid Park. I have both run and biked the trail and it is great for either. Earthquake Park is about 3.5 miles in and a great place to stop and check out the view of the inlet and sleeping lady, although there are many other great stopping points for checking out the beautiful views before and after. The first 3.5 miles are pretty flat except for a short hill leading into Earthquake Park. After this things gets more hilly. There is a big hill at the end in Kincaid Park.
I have run across both moose and a bear so you need to be aware while on the trail! Every time I have gone all the way to Kincaid I have seen a moose family hanging out.

Perfect length. Lots of mountain biking trails branch off of the main coastal trail. A must do!

Excellent trail. We rented a bicycle from 4 th street downtown bicycles and did this trail. Impressive views and very well maintained paved road.

It’s an awesome trail, starting from the downtown corridor and southwest along the shore towards and past the airport. I didn’t see any wildlife, but apparently I just missed a pair of moose crossing the road. I biked about 20 miles pretty easily, as it wasn’t crowded or terribly hilly. My parents finished 15 miles, and they never bike. Find a decent place to rent bikes, and get out on the pavement!

They say this is the most beautiful bike trail in the country and I couldn’t agree more. I haven’t been to every trail in the US but I can see why this would be a contender for the top spot. It’s about a 12 – 14 mile bike/​hike. My brother and I biked the entire way and back and boy were we cramped up. If you start out downtown and make your way up to Kincaid park, there’s a sweet lady selling Reindeer dogs and $ 1 ice cold drinks that is a sight for sore eyes. We ran into a moose and her calf while on the trail. A cautionary tale: BRING BUGSPRAY. After you get into the more wooded areas, the mosquitoes come after you like you’re a blood bank. Overall, incredible views, stunning ride, and fairly manageable slopes.

On Monday, this trail taught me that I could use google map to estimate the time it may take for biking trails. Well, I learned it the hard way. I ran the downtown part of it before to earthquake park. So I knew where the trail started. After work, I decided to test out the rest of the trail on my bike. It was a really nice ride for the first hour or so and gorgeous late afternoon sky. Had some moose-​sighting as well. I just kept on following the paved trail even though I’m not too sure exactly where I was. I passed the airport. Then I was getting worried as I probably took too much time taking photos and enjoying the view. Because I was not too sure how long it would take me to get from Kincaid Park (the end of the trail) home by bike.
I got to Kincaid park after a LARGE hill, which I pushed. phew… finally, at the end of the trail. now i just needed to get home. Rasberry st is actually a really nice ride DOWNHILL too :) I liked that because it made me feel like I was getting home faster. I really just wanted to head back home before sunset. 23miles from UAA to coastal trail to kincaid park then back.
the view was gorgeous but I wished I knew how long/​far it would’ve taken. I would def give myself more time biking next time around. Definitely recommend it and bring a sandwich or maybe do a picnic. i think it would be pretty awesome. the whole thing is just so scenic. :)
and no, i’m not a regular biker. I just know how to ride a bicycle. I do this for beautiful views.

Very easy trail to walk through — wide and paved, so just enough room for those on foot and those on bikes. The trail snakes right along the river, which on a nice day would lend itself to a beautiful view. The day I walked down this path it was cold and rainy, so while I didn’t get as much out of it as I’d like, I know this place is great for seeing the best or Anchorage.

I found this trail near my hotel, and decided to set out to see what I could see. I was really impressed with how beautiful Alaska is, even though it was freezing outside and there was snow on the ground! As a born-​and-​bred Texans, snow is not something that I see or walk in often, and boy were parts of it tough. There’s an uphill section, about an hour down the trail, that coupled with snow and overall out-​of-​shapeness, makes it difficult. I persevered, and made it to Kincaid Park a few miles away, which is a great end to the beautiful trail.
Easy to find, not too difficult to transverse (minus the uphill areas) and beautiful views of the bay make this my go-​to hiking spot in Anchorage.

My favorite place in Anchorage to walk, ride my bike and pick berries. The trail ends at Kincaid Park. Mile 8 (Kincaid Park) through mile 4.5 (Point Woroznof) is my favorite segment of the Tony Knowles Trail. This segment is all uphill from mile 4.5 to mile 8, so if you’re biking, be prepared for a work-​out, even though it’s paved. If you’re going in reverse (starting at Kincaid and heading toward downtown) you will be headed downhill. That’s the only direction I go. Be aware the trail is VERY steep in some places and with tight turns. Staying on your side of the trail can be really hard without wiping out. WEAR A HELMET. People have died and been seriously injured on this trail. While this segment of trail is okay to walk with children, I WOULD NOT recommend letting a child ride their bike here. Also while walking the trail, beware of bikers who may not be able to slow down. If you hear someone say «on your left» move FAST!
The trail goes through city, fields, forests, wetlands, coastal marshy areas and has a view of the inlet (Bay) almost the entire ride. Be aware that moose and bear DO share this trail as well. Enjoy the trail, it’s amazing.

What could be better than this wonderful Trail in downtown Anchorage.
So beautiful and peaceful and you will even see a few wild animals along the way.
I myself have never seen a Moose there, but lots of my friends have. I have seen many Eagles up close as well as flying. They are amazing. Beavers, and even a Beluga Whale.
You can walk, ride your bike and even run. Lots of people bring their dogs down for a nice walk as well. You can walk it all year round if you have the right gear.
Water on one side and woods on the other.
So beautiful and so calming. It goes for 16 miles from down town all the way to the Airport.
You can’t miss it if you go to Alaska.

I am very very jealous of this trail. I wish we had something like this in Los Angeles so I could go running or cycling! But then I wouldn’t have that pristine air to breathe so maybe it wouldn’t matter anyway!
The first thing we did in Alaska was rent bikes from Downtown Bicycle Rental and ride this trail. We did about a 25 mile round trip and it was really incredible. It is a bit crowded on a beautiful sunny Sunday but everyone was really good about staying on the right hand side so bikers could pass. It’s beautiful with a ton to see. We weren’t lucky enough to see any wild life, but the trail goes near the airport and you can see planes coming and going and there are plenty of spots to stop and enjoy the view. Not to be missed!

This is the most beautiful and breathtaking trail I’ve ever taken in my life. At low tide, the mud flats are exposed along the trail and you can really feel nature at its greatest. A few feet away I saw my first moose and her 2 little ones, so I was careful not to get in the way. The trail is actually pretty flat, so it’s perfect for biking and running. I guess during the winter you can go snowshoeing. I can’t wait to get on a bike and do the whole trail. It’s so peaceful, pristine, and scenic. This is the Alaska you frequently see on TV, and it actually exists!