Getting there
- Flights to Juneau (JNU) 135 km from the start
Treks / USA (Alaska) · Canada
Chilkoot Trail
USA (Alaska) · Canada · Nearest city: Juneau (also Skagway, Whitehorse)
TypeMulti-day trek
Days3–5
Distance≈ 53 km
Climbingvaries
Highest point1,067 m
The route of the Klondike Gold Rush from Alaska over the Chilkoot Pass into Canada, lined with relics from 1898.
Fitness
Demanding
Best seasonMid-June to early September
High pointChilkoot Pass
Watch out: Permits and border registration are required. Bears are common, so camp only at designated sites.
Why people choose it
It follows the route of the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush, with relics still lying beside the trail.
What makes it different
- Gold Rush history all along the trail
- Crosses from the US into Canada
- Train ride back to Skagway
Before you go
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.
Phone and data
Roaming in USA is expensive on most phone plans. A data eSIM bought before you fly gets you online as soon as you land.
Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.
Insurance that covers this trek
Most travel insurance includes hiking at this height. Check that hiking is listed and that medical evacuation is covered.
Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section.
True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Camping and where to sleep
In national parks, overnight stays need a wilderness permit and camping is often limited to designated sites. On most national forest and BLM land, dispersed camping is allowed.
Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.
Route map
Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.
Trail from OpenStreetMap (50.2 km) Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city
Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. The trail line is the OpenStreetMap hiking route and may differ from the variant you choose. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: Dyea → Chilkoot Pass → Bennett
Simple overview map
Step by step
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Months before
Plan and book
- Get the required permit, reservation or ticket. Popular dates sell out.
- Arrange any border-zone permits or crossings in advance.
- Best time to go: Mid-June to early September.
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6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
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Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Juneau.
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On the trail
Walk it
- Start early each day, so you arrive before the afternoon weather and the rush for beds.
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The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
How the season changes things
Best time: Mid-June to early September
Late June to early July
Early season
Snow on high ground, high rivers from snowmelt and cold nights. Routes and huts may still be opening.
Bring
- Gaiters and waterproof boots
- Warm hat and gloves
- Check route status before you go
Mid-July to mid-August
Peak season
The main window, with the best chance of dry weather, but conditions can still turn wintry.
Bring
- Full waterproofs
- Warm layers even in summer
- River-crossing shoes
Late August to early September
Late season
Fewer people and darker nights, with storms becoming more frequent and huts starting to close.
Bring
- Headlamp
- Extra warm layers
- Flexible plans for weather
Be ready for
Bear country
Store food in a bear canister or locker, cook away from your tent, and carry bear spray where rangers recommend it.
Snow patches
Early in the season, snow can cover the path on high ground. Microspikes or crampons and some experience make these sections safer.
What you'll see
7 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the Chilkoot Trail
Photo credits: Miners climb Chilkoot by Hegg, E.A (1867-1948), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Dyea Waterfront March Maslan by Hegg, Eric A., 1867-1948 (Lib. Uni. Wash., description), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Bennett Railway station by Nils Öberg, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Skagway, AK , USA - panoramio by raf4445, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Chilkoot by Mannat Kaur, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Pinus contorta ssp latifolia Chilkoot Trail by Iwona Erskine-Kellie from Vancouver, Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Trapper Cabin near Bennett by Joseph from Cabin On The Road, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
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