K'esugi Ridge Trail
~3 days · 21.7 mi · moderate · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the K'esugi Ridge Trail is known for
K'esugi Ridge in Denali State Park is Alaska's classic alpine ridge traverse between the Little Coal Creek and Byers Lake trailheads, with sweeping views of Denali and the Alaska Range across the Chulitna valley in clear weather. The published traverse runs about 28-30 miles point-to-point (this mapped line covers most of it), crossing cairned open tundra; most parties take 2-3 days.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 5,092 ft to 11,260 ft over 21.7 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 11.4 mi · 53%
- Downhill 8.0 mi · 37%
- Flat 2.1 mi · 10%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the K'esugi Ridge Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the K'esugi Ridge Trail scores 19/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 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 K'esugi Ridge Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the K'esugi Ridge Trail in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 21.7 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the K'esugi Ridge Trail?
The K'esugi Ridge Trail climbs roughly 4,354 ft total — about 201 ft per mile, topping out near 3,514 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — 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.