Eklutna Lakeside Trail
~2 days · 12.8 mi · easy · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Eklutna Lakeside Trail is known for
The Eklutna Lakeside Trail follows the shore of Eklutna Lake in Chugach State Park, an easy and mostly flat 12.7 miles one way up the glacial valley to the Serenity Falls hut (this line maps the one-way route). Established campgrounds sit along the upper miles, the 13-bunk hut at the far end is reservable through Alaska State Parks, and the corridor is shared with bikes.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 2,851 ft to 3,681 ft over 12.8 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 6.1 mi · 48%
- Downhill 3.8 mi · 30%
- Flat 2.8 mi · 22%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Eklutna Lakeside Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Eklutna Lakeside Trail in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 12.8 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Eklutna Lakeside Trail?
The Eklutna Lakeside Trail climbs roughly 876 ft total — about 68 ft per mile, topping out near 1,132 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.