LifeAnchorage · April 21, 2026

anchorage is a trail town now

Anchorage is one of only 28 cities nationwide named a 2026 Trail Town by the International Mountain Bicycling Association.

Daily Alaska staff · April 21, 2026 · Anchorage

The International Mountain Bicycling Association named Anchorage a 2026 Trail Town, a designation held by only 28 cities nationwide. The honor recognizes Anchorage's more than 300 miles of trails, including the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail and singletrack through Kincaid Park.

The designation recognizes the city for building, maintaining, and celebrating its trail system year after year. It also positions Anchorage to attract more outdoor tourism dollars heading into the summer season.

The city recently updated its recreation plan to close gaps in the trail network. Planned work includes bridge replacements, tunnel fixes, and repaving projects across the municipality.

For residents and visitors alike, the recognition underscores that Anchorage, even as Alaska's largest city, remains built around its outdoor trail network.

In this story

Questions people ask

Did Anchorage become a Trail Town?

Anchorage was just named a 2026 Trail Town by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, one of only 28 cities nationwide with the designation.

How many miles of trails does Anchorage have?

Over 300 miles, from the Coastal Trail to singletrack at Kincaid Park.

What trail work is planned next?

The city's updated recreation plan includes bridge replacements, tunnel fixes, and repaving to close gaps in the trail network.

Evidence

Sources

Claims and where they come from

  • The International Mountain Bicycling Association named Anchorage a 2026 Trail Town. · alaskapublic.org
  • Only 28 cities nationwide hold the Trail Town designation. · alaskapublic.org
  • Anchorage has over 300 miles of trails, including the Coastal Trail and Kincaid Park. · alaskapublic.org
  • Anchorage recently updated its recreation plan to include bridge replacements, tunnel fixes, and repaving projects. · alaskapublic.org

Produced with AI assistance, narrated with Slav Lund's voice clone with his consent, and reviewed by a person before publishing. How we use AI →

Report an error in this story

Next in the feed

lifeSoutheast · Just now

Ketchikan landslide knocks out substation, disaster declared, $1.59M bill

A storm-driven slide damaged the Ward Cove substation on Oct. 15, and city and borough leaders are racing to ratify a disaster declaration before winter storms test the rerouted power supply.

  • The landslide hit the Ward Cove substation on Oct. 15 during a storm with over six inches of rain and gusts to 58 mph
  • The control building was shoved 8 feet off its foundation; no one was hurt
Read

lifeAnchorage · Just now

Bomb threats force evacuations at five Anchorage schools, none found credible

Anchorage School District evacuated four schools and named a fifth in bomb threats Wednesday; police found no explosives.

  • Threats came in as simultaneous phone calls around 1:22 p.m. on Oct. 21, 2026
  • Four campuses evacuated: Airport Heights Elementary, West High School, Romig Middle School, Rilke Schule German Immersion School
Read

lifeAnchorage · Just now

Dog Survives 50 Hours Alone After Chugach Avalanche Injures Two HikersHeadliner

A volunteer search using drones, a scent dog and an Apple AirTag found LouLou the poodle-husky mix alive near Pepper Peak, two days after an avalanche swept away the hikers she was with.

  • Avalanche hit Saturday, October 10, near Pepper Peak north of Eklutna Lake in Chugach State Park
  • Two mountaineers were carried about 500 feet down a ridge and survived with serious injuries including broken bones
Read