The Chilkoot Trail - backpacking & hiking tour

Detailed guide coming is now available.

The Chilkoot Trail presents a unique backpacking tour, rich with history, for this was the main trail used in the famous Klondike Gold Rush. In the late 1800’s an international crowd, fuelled by dreams of riches, came seeking their fortunes. Today on the trail you’ll still find remnants of their past.

The Chilkoot Trail as we know it now, opened as a summer trail in the 1960’s. It runs 53 km (33 miles) in the Coast Mountains between Dyea, Alaska and Bennett, British Columbia and as such crosses the Canada/US border at the summit of the trail. You will need three to six days depending on how much time you’ve got and your fitness level. Although distances are short the trail is challenging with sections of mud, rock and even snow in the summer.

Campsites need to be prebooked and proper documentation including passports and visas (depending on your nationality) is required by both countries. There is a limit of 50 hikers per day so prime time should be booked early.

The trail offers magnificent scenery and a fine sense of accomplishment at the finish. Come prepared for all weather, especially since this is a major hypothermia inducing area with lots of cold rain. Study the bear brochures in view of the fact that both black and grizzly bear sightings are common.

The Chilkoot Trail is an impressive trail and well worth your consideration. For those people who come prepared it will be memorable but do not consider this trail if you are excessively fearful of bears or in poor physical shape.