Girdwood: Nature, Mountain Landscapes and Gold Rush History

Girdwood combines impressive mountain landscapes with trails, scenic viewpoints and a vibrant history. Those looking for a vacation rental or vacation home for a trip to Alaska will find various ways to spend their days here: a ride on the aerial tram, a paved multi-use trail, historic mining sites and views of glaciers, forest and Turnagain Arm.

Trails and Landscapes Around Girdwood

The Girdwood-to-Indian Bike Path is a 13.3-mile paved multi-use trail. It runs through Chugach State Park parallel to the Seward Highway, providing a clearly defined route for anyone who wants to include a longer trail experience in their travel plans. The Crow Pass Trail offers a different perspective: It connects Eagle River and Girdwood across the Chugach Mountains and provides opportunities for wildlife viewing.

The Seward Highway also shapes travel to and orientation within the region. It connects Anchorage with Girdwood along Turnagain Arm and is designated as a National Forest Scenic Byway. For a trip with children or groups with different interests, it may make sense to alternate between trail experiences, scenic drives and mountain panoramas instead of planning every day in the same way.

High-Elevation Views from the Alyeska Aerial Tram

The Alyeska Resort Aerial Tram carries guests 2,300 feet up to the Upper Tram Terminal on Mt. Alyeska. In summer, the Alyeska Aerial Tram offers views extending across Turnagain Arm, seven hanging glaciers and the Chugach Mountain Range. Another notable experience is the Veilbreaker Skybridges. They hang 2,500 feet above the valley floor and extend for a total length of 410 feet. From there, visitors can enjoy views of Turnagain Arm, glaciers and the Chugach forest.

Access to the Veilbreaker Skybridges is limited to a paid guided tour with an Alyeska guide. This condition should be factored into your daily planning if this experience is one of your priorities. In winter, Alyeska Resort offers skiing and snowboarding, making Girdwood an appealing destination for a trip focused on winter sports.

Gold Rush History and Local Culture

The Historical Crow Creek Gold Mine can be explored independently. The site includes historic mining buildings, gardens, as well as mountain, glacier and forest landscapes. Crow Creek Mine was established in 1896 and is a hydraulic gold-mining operation connected to Alaska’s Gold Rush history. It therefore complements the natural experiences with a concrete insight into the region’s historical development.

The Roundhouse at Alyeska Museum is a mountaintop museum and interpretive center dedicated to the history of Girdwood and Alyeska. The Roundhouse building was constructed in 1960 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in the United States in 2003. The shop offers works and handicrafts by local artists. In addition, the Girdwood Forest Fair takes place annually in July, while the Girdwood Fungus Fair takes place annually in August or September.

Which Accommodation Suits Your Travel Plans?

When looking for accommodation in Girdwood, it is helpful to first consider whether nature experiences, history or seasonal winter sports are the focus of your trip. A vacation rental or vacation home can then be a suitable search option if you want to plan your days flexibly around these interests. For families and groups with different preferences, a travel plan that combines shared experiences with individually chosen priorities can be a good option.

As an additional local page for further travel planning, you can also view Anchorage.

Back to the overarching travel overview: Anchorage.