“If you’re not going up you’re not hiking. You’re walking.”
The quote couldn’t be more true for the Skyline Trail in Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. In a short 3.5 kilometres (2.1 miles) you ascend 820 meters (2690 feet). This is a workout – easy on the eyes, hard on the thighs.
Trailhead starts on the north side of the Sterling Highway just east of Mile 61 (the miles are marked on small signs along the road) close to Cooper Landing. The parking is a pullout on the south side of the highway.
The climb begins almost immediate and just keeps going up. Note! This is a hike where you don’t want to forget your bear spray, especially in the fall when bears feed on berries in these hills.
First first kilometre or so the hike is below the tree line, but as soon as you get up to the alpine zone splendid views open up. At the top of the tree line you will reach what is often referred to as ‘the Saddle’ and elevation will level out briefly before it starts ascending again. This is the only part of the hike your thighs will get a break.
Related: Our Alaska Adventure: Denali to Kenai
We did this hike in September and was surrounded by a colourful fall foliage. The higher you get the better the view of Jean Lake and Skilak Lake.
Up here you understand why this trail is called the Skyline trail. The views over Kenai Peninsula is spectacular – on a clear day you might see Mt. Redoubt, which is an active volcano, to the west across Cook Inlet.
Close to the top the trail splits in two, one headed towards each of the two summits close by. There were no signs so we took the one heading west.
I suspect the official summit is the one to the east since there is supposed to be a orange box with a book you can sign on the summit. There was no box on the east summit, but we didn’t mind as the views were spectacular.
If you’re looking for hiking ideas on Kenai Peninsula also check out our hike to the Harding Icefield.
Hope you enjoyed our virtual fall tour to the Skyline trail and the views over Kenai Peninsula. Winter is soon upon us, do you hike during the winter season?
Just beautiful…
Thank you! It was such an amazing view – and a good work out too! 🙂
The views are simply spectacular!
Yes they were pretty amazing! Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
Not only I’m impressed by your splendid photos , but I also enjoy a lot the read accompanying them…..
Spectacular views and hiking!!!
Thank you very much, as always you leave so thoughtful and sweet comments. The views were lovely on this hike – but I sure had to work for them! Thank you so much for stopping by.
Wow, simply stunning!
Thank you – much appreciated! The whole Kenai Peninsula was pretty amazing 🙂
Gorgeous shots!
Thank you very much Mani! Those fall colours are always so lovely.
Lovely collection. The clouds on the 2nd are amazing ! Like it 😉
Thank you so much! The clouds really had this special beautiful pattern this day – glad I was able to capture it.
Will have to do that the next time I visit. Actually, the time after that, since it will still be freezing the next time.
I definitely would recommend it! But probably not during winter, those hills were pretty steep. Not sure how easy they would be to climb in winter and what the avalanche danger would be in the area. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment!
Oh my, Inger…these photos are outstanding! As far as winter hiking; not so much hiking as snowshoeing. We used to Nordic ski in the past, but came to prefer snowshoes as we got older,
Thank you very much! Photos are with the old camera, but when the fall colours are that wonderful photos always turn out nice. We do a little bit of snowshoeing, but mostly stick to cross country and downhill during winter. Thanks for stopping by!
Ho-lee mack-eral!! Real purty! I’d like to go there someday. I understand some never come back, being in love with the area.
Haha..I love that intro! Yes – pure raw nature – the best there is! I was seriously considering to stay there myself, but had work to go back to:) Thanks a bunch for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
Very nice. And should you all ever want to try something a little longer, in August, here’s a fun one http://www.rpultras.com
Thanks Rudy! The resurrection pass ultra race seems to be a little bit to ambitious for me! I’d love to take it as longer trip bringing a tent spending some days though:) The area is very beautiful! Did you run the race?
It is a lovely area of Alaska. I did run this race. Just once. It rained the whole day. The last 15 miles were not my happiest, but a very interesting way to experience Alaska with a light pack.
This is magical.So high and you had a fantastic skyline view.
Thank you so much – the skyline view was amazing – but it didn’t some without some sweat! 🙂
Beautiful. Love your posts. Don’t hike in winter here in NZ – too dangerous. Many of the roads around the mountains here become impassable with snow never mind negotiating trails on foot. But it’s springtime here so the peak hiking season is on the horizon!
Thank you! We tend to stick to cross country and downhill skiing in the winter. We tried a little bit of snowshoeing a couple of winters ago when my hubby had some issues with his knees after an accident – but now that he is fully recovered we are back to skis again. I’ll enjoy your hikes instead over the winter season here:)
wonderful photos. Jim
Thank you very much Jim!
I’ve been having some trouble finding you blog lately. I can’t get to it by clicking your name in the comments anymore it seems like?
Those views (and your photos) are superb!
Thank you so much – it was a pretty sweet 360 degree view! 🙂
So beautiful and yes I expect very hard on the thighs. 🙂
Thank you Sue! It was nice getting such an awesome 360 degree view over Kenai Peninsula and even across to Cook Inlet. I could definitely feel it in the thighs the day after.
Sigh, how gorgeous landscapes. We love day hikes and seems to be “suitable”. Thank You for this inspiring post.
Thank you so much! The landscape was amazing, wonderful views – but you had to work for them:) Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment.
Gorgeous! The hiking and the photos!
Thank you so much – the hiking was awesome! And much appreciate your generous comment on my photos:)
What views. Must be amazing to see this in real life. Thank you for sharing with us your wonderful experience. 🙂
Thank you so much. I loved the views from this summit, splendid view in 360 degrees! But I did feel it in the thighs the day after:)
Spectacular mountscapes,fabulous expansive views over the distant horizon !Most enjoyable tour,dear Inger !Thank you 🙂
Thank you so much dearest Doda! It was a tough hike but what gratitude to experience those amazing views on the top. Beauty on 360 degrees. Thank you so much for you sweet comment.
My pleasure dearest Inger!Tough but so bracing and rewarding 🙂
Spectacular views and thanks for taking us there. I won’t be seeing this in person so the virtual tour is doubly appreciated!
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! My pleasure to bring you along on this vertical tour:)
Oh my, such a beautiful walk and stunning views! It would challenge my knees but I’m sure it’s worth it. Not sure about the bear spray though!! Stunning shots as usual.
Thank you very much Jane! This hike would challenge anyones knees.The views were definitely worth it but I could feel the vertical meter in my thighs the say after:) Bear spray is a must while hiking in Alaska. But since it is the same here in Alberta we have gotten used to it:) Gladly we have never had to use it!
Wow no question about whether that is a hike or a walk! Fantastic views.
Thank Lyle! It was definitely a hike – and should I forget it my thighs were happy to remind me the day after!
Just so gorgeous. Love the views and those colors are stunning.
Thank you Karin! The fall colours were just lovely on this hike – and so was the view! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment:)
It’s just wonderful.
I like your pictures.
Have a nice day Inger.
Hervé
Thank you so much Hervé! Appreciate your sweet comment:)
Lovely photos, as always 🙂 Especially the one with the clouds is outstanding, it looks like form a scifi movie. And I want to ask about the bear spray. Do you have experience with it? Does it work?
Thanks a bunch! There were taken with the old camera, but decent enough. The clouds were pretty spectacular that day, I can still remember them – and the view!
I can say I have been fortunate and have never had to actually use the bear spray so I cannot speak to its effectiveness. But they say it is the best way to stop a bear attack. Key here is the word ‘stop’. The bear spray is a ‘last defence’, you have to be pretty close to use it (5-10 meters). Best is to avoid an encounter at all by hiking several together and making noise if you are in bear country. If the bear know you are coming it will likely avoid you.
What incredible views! Thanks so much for sharing.
Thank you so much for your sweet comment!
Those vistas are something else ~ added by the color of autumn. Nothing quite like a climb that is basically straight-up ~ hard work, but as shown by your photos so well worth the time and effort. Beautiful.
Thank you Randall! Alaska is really something in fall! For some reason I find the views extra sweet if I had to work hard getting to them:)
that first shot….was the sky like that…all stripy? gorgeous
The clouds were really special that day, I can still remember them. It is the same stripes you see in the second shot, just a different angle. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment!
I am a cloud person, cloud worshipper. I love these!
And I can hike in winter (better than summer) because winter here is like autumn elsewhere (and summer is like 120 degrees).
Do you hike in the winter? I haven’t. Great post as always! Especially loved the photo of you two admiring the scenery
We haven’t done much hiking in winter, some snowshoeing only. We tend to stick to cross country skiing and downhill skiing. Thanks a bunch for taking the time to leave a comment:)
Really breathtaking views, Inger! Such a challenging climb but it was all worth it. I have heard of mosquito spray but bear spray is a first time for me! 🙂
I would have to agree – I was also amazed by the views. 360 degrees around. For some reason the challenge just made the reward even sweeter:) Yepp – bear spray is a must when hiking in Alaska, and here in Alberta as well. I had also never hear about it before I moved here. I am happy to say I have never had to deploy it.
Fantastis espectaculars views Inger! For a slope of 23% must be in shape! Cheers 🙂
Despite being an engineer I didn’t try to calculate the slope:) It felt worse than 23% – in some sections I had to use my hands! 🙂 But the view was well worth the sweat! Thanks for stopping by.
Spectacular! I love hiking in the winter too. Right now I live in the desert, and even if it’s very cold at night, we never get that much snow. It’s perfect hiking weather all year long 🙂
Thank you Maria! Hiking in a desert in winter – that would be a totally new experience for me:)
You’re welcome to come and try it!
I applaud your hiking skills. 🙂 I’m at an age where ‘walking’ and counting my steps with my Fitbit is a safer sport. 🙂
Thank you so much Judy! Appreciate your visit and for taking time to leave a comment.
My goodness, that is a lot of UP! Gorgeous.
You said it! But the 360 degree view was worth the effort, and I didn’t have to think about a workout for the next week or so! 🙂 Thanks a lot for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment Emilie.
Amazing views. I’ve never been to Norway. Your photos help me get closer. Bear spray!
I didn’t know you had bears there … polar, brown …? Good Luck with the polar adventure 2016!
Thanks Meg! I had no idea there was such a thing as bear spray before I moved to Canada:) There are typically brown (grizzly) and black bears in Alaska. We did fortunately not have to use the spray! Thanks for visiting and taking the time to leave a comment! 🙂
Sorry. Got that wrong. I haven’t been to Alaska either!
Skylin trail is the right word for your hike in this stunning panoramic landscape. Great photos!
Thanks Truels! The views where stunning. Ønsker deg en god jul! 🙂
Great shots! We always wanted to visit Alaska, so do you have any recommendations for us where else we could go? 🙂 Greetings and have a wonderful Christmas! Lenja and Janet
Thanks a bunch for your comment Lenja and Janet! Alaska was so beautiful. No matter where you go I am sure you’ll be just as amazed as we were. Check out my next post, it is a summary of our top 3 experiences in Alaska. Maybe you’ll get some ideas of what you might want to see if you decide to travel to Alaska:) Thanks for visiting!
Enjoyed your post, I hiked Skyline 5 or 6 times from 2003-2011, so beautiful and I experienced something new every time. One of the coolest experiences was starting in the rain at the bottom and hiking up above the clouds about midway to a beautiful sunny day at the top. Your photos are great, I have many photos of Skyline trail, but yours are very high quality. I hope to get back soon and take my kids to the top. Thank for the post.