Trail
Bird Ridge Trail
Steep, sun-warmed ridge climb above Turnagain Arm; often the first snow-free hike of spring.
Chugach State Park · Alaska State Parks
- Distance
- 2.5 mi[1]
- Elevation gain
- 3400 ft
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Route type
- Out and back
- Access modes
- Road · Hike
- Hazards
- Steep, exposed and windy; some scrambling.
RoadHike
From the Bird Ridge Trailhead near Seward Highway Mile 102, the trail climbs past timberline to Bird Ridge Point: 2.5 miles one way and about 3,400 feet of gain. It is often the first snow-free hike in spring and the first place for wildflowers. Expect exposure, wind and some scrambling, with big views of Turnagain Arm and the Kenai Mountains. Bring plenty of water.
- [1]Distance: 2.5 miles one way, 3,400 ft gain (Alaska State Parks, Guide to Bird Ridge Trail); also reported as 1.5 miles, 2,500 ft gain (Alaska State Parks, Chugach State Park Recreational Opportunities). All footnotes
In pictures
Hiking · Photography
Sources
- Turnagain Arm Trails brochure (Chugach State Park)Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation · Accessed 2026-11-13
- Guide to Bird Ridge TrailAlaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation · Accessed 2026-11-13
- Chugach State Park: Recreational OpportunitiesAlaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation · Accessed 2026-11-13
Last updated 2026-11-13