Iditarod National Historic Trail

The basics

One of the best spots to view the Iditarod National Historic Trail is at the trail’s beginning point in Seward. A monument marks the starting point, and a paved trail follows the first mile (1.6 kilometers) of the route along the shores of Resurrection Bay. The Crow Pass Trail near Girdwood also follows the Iditarod National Historic Trail, and many hiking, canyoneering, and horseback riding tours are available there.

Things to know before you go

• The Iditarod National Historic Trail commemorates the Indigenous-built trail networks that facilitated the exploration of the Alaska Interior.

• Sections of the Iditarod National Historic Trail offer year-round hiking and mountain biking.

• Most of the trail is only passable when snow-covered.

How to get there

To get to Seward’s Iditarod Monument, head to Seward’s waterfront near the Alaska SeaLife Center. You can’t miss the Trail Blazers sculpture of a man and his dog that marks the beginning of the trail. Just north of Seward, you can also access the Bear Lake section of the trail. Near Girdwood, the Winner Creek Trail also follows some of the original Iditarod Trail.

When to get there

The Iditarod National Historic Trail is best hiked during the summer months, while the Seward Iditarod Monument can be visited any time of year. The section of trail near Seward is groomed for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling during the winter months. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is held annually in March.

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

Launched in 1973, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is an annual sled dog race across 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers) of the Iditarod National Historic Trail from Anchorage to Nome. The event starts in downtown Anchorage the first Saturday in March, and mushers typically take anywhere from 8 to 15 days to complete the course. Over 50 mushers compete each year, battling below-freezing temperatures, white-out conditions, and all sorts of natural hazards.