Hike the legendary Chilkoot Trail — the brutal mountain pass that 100,000 gold seekers climbed in 1898 — guided by a wilderness expert through old-growth rainforest, boulder fields, and stunning alpine panoramas to the Golden Stairs.
What to expect
The trail begins just outside Skagway, immediately entering a cathedral of Sitka spruce and cottonwood alive with Varied Thrushes and Steller's Jays. As the tree line gives way to granite scree, your guide recounts the extraordinary human drama enacted on these very boulders. The panoramic views from the upper trail — looking back over the Skagway River Valley toward Lynn Canal — are among the finest in Southeast Alaska. Artefacts from 1898 lie in plain sight along the route, untouched by time and protected as national heritage.
Good to know
Wear sturdy waterproof hiking boots and layer up — alpine weather shifts quickly. Guides provide trekking poles and bear spray. The trailhead is a 10-minute van transfer from the pier. Book the full-day option for the most dramatic summit views; confirm your ship's all-aboard time at booking so the guide can plan the turnaround accordingly.