Easy hikes and walks in Juneau City and Borough

The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center near Juneau brings you up close to the rugged beauty of Alaska. Here you can not only admire the impressive glacier and the turquoise glacial water, but also gain exciting insights into the geology and ecosystem of this region. The center itself offers exhibitions that illustrate the history and development of the glacier and a fascinating view of the retreating ice. The area around the center is criss-crossed by easily accessible trails such as the Photo Point Trail and the popular Nugget Falls Trail, which takes you to the roaring Nugget Falls. For nature lovers, the Steep Creek Trail is a highlight - especially during salmon season, when bears gather at the stream. From elevated walkways you can observe the animals without disturbing their peace. In winter, a completely different scene awaits you, when nature freezes in silent beauty. Take the time to explore the short Trail of Time, which tells the history of the glacier on information boards and lets you delve deep into the formation of this unique landscape. The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is more than just a visitor center - it is an experience that shows you the power and fragility of nature first hand.

You can probably guess how Gold Creek got its name. But the history behind Ebner Falls — this picturesque waterfall in Gold Creek, which you can see from an overlook on the trail — is a little more obscure. It may have been named for one of the early miners in this area. You'll also find one of the more precarious sections of trail here, as it narrows to a footpath to skirt around a cliff.

The most heavily traveled branch of this trail ends at DuPont Beach, a classically "Alaska-style" beach made of gravel and small rocks. In a way that's a plus, because it makes for easier running than sand. You can also enjoy beautiful views across the water. Watch out for the fast-moving, extreme tidal differentials here. If you're not used to them, you may find the tide covering up more of the beach, and faster, than you expect.

The most heavily traveled branch of this trail ends at DuPont Beach, a classically "Alaska-style" beach made of gravel and small rocks. Although there isn't warm sand to dig your toes into, you can enjoy beautiful views across the water, and this is still a good place for a picnic. Some people do hike back into the forest and look for an intersection that will take them farther east, then southeast, toward Point Bishop — another gravelly section of coast. However, this section of trail tends to be even more overgrown, muddy, and eroded than the trail you walked to reach DuPont Beach. There is good saltwater fishing for Dolly Varden off DuPont Beach in the spring. If you decide to fish, you will need a sportfishing license and information about local regulations. https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishregulations.se_sportfish

The Airport Dike Trail comes to an end here. You can't turn it into a loop, so you'll need to head back the way you came. But before you go, take a moment to look for birds, like the alternately majestic-and-awkward sandhill crane, on the flat wetlands around you.

The Kaxdigoowu Heen Dei trail ends in a small parking area, at the end of River Road. If you don't want to retrace your steps, you can call a taxi to pick you up. However, the walk back to the trailhead is a fine opportunity to enjoy the wildflowers and meadows alongside the trail.

From this trail juncture, turning to the west will lead you up the challenging trail to the summit of Mount Juneau. Continuing on the main Perseverance Trail, to the east, will lead you to intersections with other mining roads and the ruins of several mines in Silverbow Basin.

You can probably guess how Gold Creek got its name. But the history behind Ebner Falls — this picturesque waterfall in Gold Creek, which you can see from an overlook on the trail — is a little more obscure. It may have been named for one of the early miners in this area.