Hiking , Ketchikan or Skagway?

[vbscoot]

Which port would be better to go on an on your own hike from town? Ketchikan or Skagway?

[Mary229]

Both have great hikes.  Someone shared with me a pamphlet on hikes from Ketchikan.  If you email me I will send you a copy.   privateemail64 at iCloud (dot) com

[Mary229]

also, get the AllTrails app

[Sea Hag]

As others have said, either one has good hikes. You might approach this by figuring out if one or the other has one or more non-hike options that you'd like to do.

[Suzanne123]

We did a great hike in Skagway.  I can’t remember the name but it started right downtown where the railroad tracks crossed the street.
https://www.alltrails.com/us/alaska/skagway

[TMLAalum]

In Skagway we hiked on the Yakutania Point trail over the bridge by the airport after returning our rental car. It was relatively easy and gave views of the city. Moon Guides recommends hikes from the Gold Rush Cemetery to Lower Reid Falls (4 miles) or 1 mile to Lower Dewey Lake or a loop around it of 3.6 miles.

Check out this website:

https://skagway.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Skagway-Trail-Map.pdf

For Ketchikan, we might take the Rainbird Trail above the city. Deer Mountain trail is more strenuous than appeals to us: 3k elevation gain but reportedly great views at the one and two mile marks.

https://www.alaska.org/destination/ketchikan/parks-and-trails#

 

[RSF Cruiser]

In addition to Alltrails, check out this guide from various government agencies: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5413489.pdf

[don't-use-real-name]

While Juneau is not mentioned here - 

Take the Mount Roberts Tram and at the top there are numerous trails to walk the skyline

viewing Juneau and the Gastineau Channel.

Price the cost of the lift ticket for the Tram.

 

Another short hike after arriving at Mendenhall is the trail to Nugget falls for a close-up

view of the glacier - warning might get your feet wet !