Chilkoot Trail
~3 days · 31.2 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Chilkoot Trail is known for
The 1898 gold-rush stampeders’ route from tidewater at Dyea over the Golden Stairs of Chilkoot Pass to Bennett Lake, strewn with artifacts and steeped in Klondike history.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 59 ft to 3,442 ft over 31.2 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 8.3 mi · 27%
- Downhill 7.3 mi · 23%
- Flat 15.6 mi · 50%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Chilkoot Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Chilkoot Trail scores 25/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Chilkoot Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Chilkoot Trail in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 31.2 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Chilkoot Trail?
The Chilkoot Trail climbs roughly 5,725 ft total — about 184 ft per mile, topping out near 3,576 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.