What's happening outside Whitehorse for walkers?
February 22, 2016. Something new: RPAY has a map promoting places one can walk!
September 23, 2013. Needs a lot of updating to be more understandable, adding a map or 2 and finding more trails. (See Wikipedia's Recreational walks in Kent for another way of presenting this.)
The Yukon wildlife viewing guide was a great starting point for this page.
Far NORTH
- Herschel Island-Qikiqtaruk Territorial Park: A self-guided walking brochure will be developed.
- Ivvavik National Park of Canada: Hiking
- Vuntut National Park of Canada
- Ni'iinlii Njik (Fishing Branch) Territorial Park
- Old Crow Flats
Old Crow
- The town walking tour map also mentions a few hiking trails
Dempster Highway
Tombstone Territorial Park
- Tombstone Interpretive Centre and Tombstone Mountain Campground, nature walks and trails
- offers a number of guided hikes
- Beaver Pond Interpretive Trail, 1 km return. Packed gravel and boardwalk surface with interpretation, benches and viewing deck. Starts at the Interpretive Centre parking lot. Some short steeper sections and gravel-boardwalk transitions may require assistance.
- Hiking maps of Tombstone Territorial Park
- Friends of Dempster Country
Forty Mile has a walking tour
NORTH Klondike Highway
Klondike River Campground. A 1.7-km (1-mi.) interpreted nature trail loop takes you to the Klondike River.
Dawson City
- Dawson City Visitor Information Centre
- Facilities
- Dawson City has a fairly extensive system of multi use trails.
- The waterfront trail runs continuously from the north end of Dawson south on the top of the Yukon River dyke, to the confluence of the Klondike River. Along this section of trail there are numerous rest areas and interpretive kiosks..
- Parks Canada also has a major presence along the route with the SS Keno interpretive site as does the Tr’ondek Hwech’in with its Danoja Zho Cultural Centre. The gazebo is a popular gathering place in the summer due to its proximity to several restaurants and coffee shops.
- The City of Dawson owns and maintains the green space between the trail and Front Street. This section of the trail is used extensively year round. It is popular for recreational walking, jogging and skiing. It also has high use by snowmobiles and ATVs for recreation and commuting purposes.
- The trail also continues east from Dawson along the south side of the Klondike Highway to the Callison Industrial Subdivision. This route is used primarily by joggers, ATVs and snowmobiles. Callison is also the trail head for the Ridge Road Heritage Trail (also part of the Trans Canada Trail) which climbs south out of the Klondike River Valley to join Upper Bonanza Road near King Solomon Dome. There are several interpretive kiosks and rest facilities along the route. This route is used primarily by serious hikers, ATVs and snowmobiles. These sections are also part of the Trans Canada Trail system.
- On the North end of Dawson and on the Midnight Sun Dome, a series of trails lead to the traditional First Nation village of Moosehide, which is located on the Yukon River and to the Dome summit. Some sections of this trail are marginally passable and there have been several incidents of rescue over the years.
- There is also a series of walking, hiking and ski trails throughout the Dome area. Several well traveled ATV and skidoo routes also run through the area. The Klondike Active Transport and Trails Association (KATTS) has been actively expanding and promoting hiking and ski trails in the Dawson area through a youth summer employment program. Currently a project is underway to accurately map the complete Dawson Trail system. Further from Dawson and surrounding the community, the local skidoo club also maintains and utilizes an extensive system of trails suitable for ATV and snowmobile travel.
- Klondike Active Transport and Trails Society 9th Avenue Trail, trail inventory and other trail projects
- Ninth Ave Trail – Historic trail system that connects Moosehide Slide in the north end of town, with the Dyke Trail and Klondike Millennium Trail to form a loop trail encircling the historic core of Dawson City. There is a side trail from the 9th Avenue which takes people up to Crocus Bluff where there are several smaller trails linking the lookout to Mary McLeod Road. The Trail was installed by KATTS (Klondike Active Transport and Trails Society) and its volunteers and is maintained through the Recreation Dept.
- Tr'ochëk Hwëch'in
- building a new trails system over at the Tr'ochëk National Historic Site for locals and visitors to explore the site. By the end of this season there should be about 4 kilometres of newly built trail on the site; this is in addition to the old roads and rail beds that have been recently brushed out. Currently people are walking in from the gas station that's next to the highway bridge over the Klondike River. This access trail follows old mining roads and the rail bed for the Klondike Mines Railways along the banks of the Klondike to the beginning of the site near the confluence of the Yukon and Klondike rivers. Once the site is completely built out there will be roughly 10 kilometres of hiking trails available.
- Steamboat Slough Trail - Tr'ochëk Hwëch'in is currently working with Environment Yukon – Wildlife Viewing program to develop a loop trail near Sunnydale that will showcase the rare orchid beds found there and provide overviews of Steamboat Slough, where Yukon River steamers were once over-wintered, Tr'ochëk National Historic Site and the confluence of the two rivers. This trail will be about 1.5 kilometres long when finished.
- building a new trails system over at the Tr'ochëk National Historic Site for locals and visitors to explore the site. By the end of this season there should be about 4 kilometres of newly built trail on the site; this is in addition to the old roads and rail beds that have been recently brushed out. Currently people are walking in from the gas station that's next to the highway bridge over the Klondike River. This access trail follows old mining roads and the rail bed for the Klondike Mines Railways along the banks of the Klondike to the beginning of the site near the confluence of the Yukon and Klondike rivers. Once the site is completely built out there will be roughly 10 kilometres of hiking trails available.
- Dawson City Cemeteries and Dawson City (South) walking map
- Crocus Bluff Recreation Site – Trail system off Mary Mclead trail. Includes viewing platform. A 500-m (0.3-mi.) trail leads you to a view of the confluence of the Klondike and the Yukon rivers.
- Ridge Road Heritage Trail Hikers should allow two days to walk this 30-km Dawson area trail but a campground is within a day of either trailhead.
- There's an unofficial trail up to the Midnight Dome. It is about 4 km long. It is not a marked trail but many people use it.
- Klondike Centennial Society's Discovery Claim – Self Guiding Trail
- Klondike National Historic Sites
- Guided Programs
- Guided Hike with the Poetry of Robert Service
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Dawson City
- Geocaching
Moose Creek Campground. A 2.5-km (1.5-mi.) interpreted nature trail to the Stewart River takes you into the boreal forest along Moose Creek.
Stewart Crossing
Silver Trail
Mayo
Mayo walking Tour
A waterfront park, known as Galena Park, is located on the river side of First Avenue between Centre and Laurier Streets. It is a grassed area that contains picnic tables, interpretive signage, and a rock cairn commemorating the Canadian Heritage Rivers System. A wooden gazebo overlooking the Stewart River is located at the west end of the park. The park also connects informal trails that exist along the riverfront dyke.
Binet House, Mayo. Nearby is a monument marking the start of the Prince of Wales Trail and the local section of the Trans Canada Trail.
- Devil's Elbow Habitat Protection Area
- Interpretive panels lead you on a 750-m (less than 0.5 mi.) walk to a viewing deck overlooking the Stewart River Valley
- Horseshoe Slough Habitat Protection Area
- Big Island
- An interpretive hiking trail has been established at a vantage point just outside the boundaries of the HPAs
Mount Haldane km 76 (mi 47) Watch for the turnoff to the northeast just before Halfway Lakes. Follow a gravel road 3.5 km (2 mi.) to the trail head. This 6.5 km (4 mi.) trail leads to the summit of Mount Haldane, which offers wonderful opportunities to view subalpine fauna and flora. Estimated time is 6 hours return. A trail guide is available at the Binet House in Mayo.
Keno City
- Exploring Keno Hill: Stories of a Silver Deposit a trail guide to exploring some of the old mining roads
- Keno City walking map
Pelly Crossing
Łhútsäw Wetland Habitat Protection Area
Five Finger Rapid Recreation Site. A 45-minute (return) walk down the 850-m (0.5-mi.) trail ends at a large viewing platform overlooking the rapids.
Robert Campbell Highway
Lapie River Campground. A trail runs along the canyon with views of the river as it is forced through this deep cleft.
On the South Canol road there are currently three new short walking trails. The first is a refurbishment of the old Lapie Canyon walking trail which is just south of the west side of the Lapie 2 bridge. The second is in the Lapie Lakes area and a short walk takes you to Ian H. (Harley) Thomson Falls. The third trail is marked in orange survey ribbon and starts on the northeast side of Fox creek. It follows old fallen telegraph poles along the WW2 pipeline route for three kilometres to the Fox Creek suspension bridge which actually crosses the Lapie River. This is a baby brother to the Ross River bridge. All have been completed by the Yukon Y2C2 youth crews and local government and First Nations fire crews. These pictures show the beautiful scenery you will encounter. Ref.
Faro
- Guided hikes are available through out the summer season and are taken upon request. Campbell Region Interpretive Center Campbell Street,(867) 994-2288, cric@faroyukon.ca HOURS We are open from mid-May to mid-September, seven days a week including holidays. Hours of operation are 8:00am to 6:00 pm
- Faro Trails is a map showing a number of marked trails
- Van Gorder Falls Trail. This trail is a wonderful way to spend about two hours on an easy 1.5-km (1-mi.) trail that winds its way through the forest, right at the edge of town.
- Viewing Wildlife in Faro
- Faro Arboretum. Follow the 1.2 km (0.7 mi.) loop trail from the kiosk to the viewing deck, and down to the west arm of Van Gorder Creek.
Dena Cho Trail, a 67.6 km traditional Kaska trail between Ross River and Faro; it takes 3-4 days to hike this wilderness trail
Ross River
Carmacks
- Carmacks Hiking Trails
- Carmacks walking tour
- A wooden boardwalk runs the full length of the riverfront from the playground to just northeast of the recreation centre, a total distance of approximately 2 km.
- See Curtis Vos's book "The Yukon Hiking Guide". It's been around since 1999, but gives an almost current review of some of the walks and hikes you can take around Carmacks. Curtis identifies 5 great short walks, including the waterfront boardwalk, ridge trail, Coal Mine lake, the Northern Tutchone loop, and Five Finger Rapids, and gives a good description of 4 agate/gem trails - Miller's Ridge, Charlie Lake, Plume Agate and Cliffside.
Tsâwnjik Chu (Nordenskiold) Wetland Habitat Protection Area
SOUTH Klondike Highway
Annie Lake Road. There are many hiking routes along old mining roads into the coastal mountains.
Carcross
- Carcross Visitor Information Centre has a binder of trails
- Naturally Carcross shows some community trails
- Carcross walking map
- Montana Mountain
- Mountain biking on Montana Mountain
- Cabin Fever Adventures has lots of links
- weather in Carcross
Chilkoot Trail National historic site
Skagway
City of Skagway Comprehensive Trails Plan is a good resource. There are a number of great trails in the area between customs stations, as well as around town. We just did 3 great hikes: Fraser Lake, Laughton Glacier and International Falls (Feather Peak.)
Skagway trail map describes various hikes. Here's a town walking map.
Klondike Gold Rush National Park: shorter hikes; longer hikes; State of the Park report; Intepreted story of glaciers
Dyea
Dyea Townsite Self-Guided Walking TourEAST Alaska Highway
Liard Canyon - Lucky Lake Recreation Site has a 2.2 km (1.4 mi.) nature trail
Watson Lake
- Watson Lake Visitor Information Centre
- Viewing Wildlife at Wye Lake The Wye Lake recreation park is situated in the center of Watson Lake and consists of grassed area with gazebo, benches and picnic tables. Connected to the park is a 3-km interpreted walking trail that runs around Wye Lake.
- Watson Lake walking map
Rancheria Falls Recreation Site has an easy, 10-minute boardwalk through boreal forest to a picturesque waterfall
Teslin
- Teslin Walking Tour
- The George Johnston Trail extends along the Alaska Highway from the Recreation Complex to the Teslin Tlingit Council Heritage Centre which is located at the west end of the community, a distance of about 4 km. The trail is gravel- surfaced and is equipped with wooden benches and bear-proof garbage containers at selected locations. The trail is designated as a walking route and motorized vehicles are not permitted.
- Teslin Lake Bird Observatory's 200-m (.1 mi.) marked trail starts near the campground cook shelter
- Marsh Lake/Yukon River Bridge
SOUTH Atlin
WEST Alaska Highway
Overland Trail Prospective summer travellers are advised that the trail has deteriorated in many places with sections of swampy muskeg and
creek crossings that make foot travel difficult.
Some sections are badly overgrown or
intersect with other trails. Hikers-especially
inexperienced ones - risk getting lost.
Several large rivers make the journey
impossible without water transport. It is
not an easy hike, although some sections
are suitable for day trips.
- Pine Lake Campground has a short Lakeside Interpretive Trail
- Spruce Beetle Interpretive Trail is an easy 1.7-km (1-mi.) loop interpretive trail
- TachaÖl Dha/l (Sheep Mountain) Visitor Information Centre. Check with the centre for designated hiking areas.
- Congdon Creek Campground (KhaÖr Sha/n Nji) where an easy 500 m (0.3 mi.) trail follows the shoreline of Kluane Lake
- Beaver Creek. There's a nature trail here
- Dezadeash River Trail. A 5.5-km (3-mi.) trail leads you into the forest
Champagne
The Champagne and Aishik First Nation's summer-fall 2013 newsletter has an overview of their exciting Traditional Trail Project.
Pine Lake Interpretive Trail, Pine Lake Campground. The first 250 m or so is a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk along the lake/wetland edge.
Haines Junction
- Haines Junction Visitor Information Centre
- We have a partially paved walking path along the highway which is a nice way to stretch one's legs, also there is a walk called the Dezadeash trail which departs from Kluane RV campground or the day use site located by the weigh scales at the Dezadeash River bridge.
This walk is a nice way to see birds and sometimes other wildlife. Keep in mind you are in bear country so make sure to take the necessary precautions when walking.
- We have a partially paved walking path along the highway which is a nice way to stretch one's legs, also there is a walk called the Dezadeash trail which departs from Kluane RV campground or the day use site located by the weigh scales at the Dezadeash River bridge.
- Haines Road shows gravel roads, hiking trails and unmaintained trails
- Haines Junction walking tour map
- Dezadeash River Trail
- Kluane National Park
- Routes and Hikes descriptions and an overview map
Burwash Landing
Beaver Creek
- Beaver Creek Visitor Information Centre
- There are 2 walking trails here, both follow along the Alaska Highway out from town about 3k m each.
General resources
National Parks of Canada
Department of Tourism
- Interpretive signs along Yukon's travel corridors
- walking tour maps of many community downtowns.
- Visitor Information Centres may have binders of hike descriptions to share. Summer Hours of Operations 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m daily except:Haines Junction Visitor Information Centre & Dawson City Visitor Information Centre for the following dates: Sept 12 - Sept 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Department of the Environment
- Yukon government Campgrounds and a map
- Yukon wildlife viewing guide has numerous trail references.
- Maps
Highways
Yukon Visitor and Community Information Centres
Open approximately mid-May to mid-September
- Beaver Creek (867) 862-7321, Alaska Highway
- Carcross (867) 821-4431, Carcross Gateway Pavilion
- Carmacks (867) 863-6330, Roadside Information Kiosk
- Dawson City (867) 993-5566, Front and King streets
- Faro (867) 994-2288, Campbell Region Interpretive Centre
- Haines Junction (867) 634-2345 Dä K Cultural Centre, Alaska Highway
- Keno (867) 995-3103, Keno City Mining Museum
- Mayo (867) 996-2926, Binet House Interpretive Centre
- Old Crow (867) 966-3233, John Tizya Centre
- Stewart Crossing, Roadside Information Kiosk
- Teslin (867) 390-2550, George Johnston Museum, one kilometre west of Nisutlin Bay Bridge
- Tombstone Territorial Park (867) 667-5648, Tombstone Interpretive Centre (867) 993-7714 (Monday to Thursday. April to October)
- Watson Lake (867) 536-7469 junction of Alaska and Robert Campbell highways
Trail websites
- YukonHiking.ca website lists hikes in these regions: Annie Lake, Carcross, Haines Pass, Kluane, Skagway, Tombstone, White Pass and Whitehorse.
- TrailPeak website lists hikes by nearest City: Burwash, Carcross, Carmacks, Dawson City, Faro, Haines Junction, Mayo, Teslin, Watson Lake and Whitehorse.
- Everytrail.com
- Clubtread
- YukonBiking.ca list trails on Grey Mountain, Montana Mountain, Mount McIntyre andS Whitehorse South
- RPAY's Community Walks page
- Atlin Mountain Biking
Walking and driving tours publications...
BOOKS
- The Yukon Hiking Guide - Curtis Vos
- Hikes and Bikes – Yukon Conservation Society
Hikes and Bikes Waypoints - Kluane National Park Hiking Guide - Vivien Lougheed; third edition
- The Kohklux Map earliest known map of the southern Yukon
- Along the Dempster – Walter Lantz
- Chilkoot Trail. Heritage Route to the Klondike
