In the Girdwood area you can find this popular trail, perfect for basking in the beauty of Alaska. The Williwaw Nature Trail winds over a series of boardwalks and bridges, offering beautiful sites and lots to explore. The trail is an easy mile, smooth and even with little elevation and the boardwalks and bridges help the trail stay dry. Enjoy this accessible bridge hike and be mesmerized by the grandeur of Alaska.
Just south of Anchorage on the Seward Highway, the Portage Valley is filled with outdoor splendor, and many great trails to explore. Williwaw Nature Trail is a short, fun path that is perfect or an afternoon stroll.
The Williwaw Nature Trail begins at the Williwaw Fish Viewing platform. In the summer and fall seasons salmon can be seen battling for their lives on their way upstream.
The trail is about 1.2 miles long and gains no elevation, making it perfect for the whole family. This is a popular trail, but for very good reason as the area is stunning and only a short 45 minute drive from Anchorage.
The trail is easy, level and has a six-foot-wide, accessible path, making this bridge hike for everyone including strollers, wheelchairs, and bicycles. The ground is generally wet and boggy, so bridges and boardwalks keep you above it all.
Follow the Williwaw Creek to a series of ponds along the path. There is a danger of bears when the fish are running, so make noise and keep your distance from salmon feeding areas.
Look out for wildlife in the area including black and brown bear, moose, beaver, eagles, ducks, and grouse. Migratory birds stop to feed in Portage Valley during spring
and fall migrations.
Wildflowers grow in the area, berry picking is possible in the summer months. Waterfowl hunting and fishing are permitted and the salmon are abundant in July and August.
The nature trail ends when it connects to the Trail of Blue Ice, a short glacier viewing trail. You can spend all day checking out the connected trails in the Portage Valley and watching the clouds roll by.
