Chilkoot Trail

The Chilkoot Trail is a 53 km (33-mile) point-to-point backpacking route running from Dyea, Alaska (USA) to Bennett, British Columbia (Canada), tracing the same mountain pass used by over 100,000 prospectors during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896–1899. It crosses the international border at Chilkoot Pass (1,074 m / 3,525 ft) and takes most hikers 3–5 days to complete.

About the Chilkoot Trail

Few trails on Earth carry the weight of history like the Chilkoot. For thousands of years before the Gold Rush, the Chilkoot people — a Tlingit group — used this mountain corridor as a trade route between the Pacific coast and the interior. When gold was discovered in the Klondike in 1896, the trail was flooded with prospectors from around the world. Canadian authorities required each stampeder to carry a year's worth of supplies — roughly 900 kg (2,000 lbs) — across the pass. Many made the ascent 30 to 40 times to relay their loads, creating a human chain of figures visible for miles against the snow.

Today the trail is jointly managed by the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) and Parks Canada as part of the Klondike Gold Rush International Historical Park. In 2022 it received National Historic Trail designation under U.S. law, and both sides have held National Historic Site status since the late 1970s and 1980s. As a member of the International Walking Network (IWN), it ranks among the world's most culturally and scenically significant long-distance hiking routes.

The terrain shifts dramatically over 53 km. The American side climbs through lush temperate rainforest fed by Pacific moisture — towering Sitka spruce, dense undergrowth, and the braided channels of the Taiya River. Above 700 m the trees thin rapidly into sub-alpine meadows, then give way to raw boulder fields and glacially scoured rock at the summit. The Canadian side descends through boreal forest past a chain of glacial lakes before arriving at the ghost town of Bennett on the shores of Lake Bennett — once a boomtown of 10,000 people, now a quiet historic site with a restored 1899 church and interpretive displays. If you are drawn to dramatic point-to-point mountain crossings with a strong sense of place, the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania offers a compelling European parallel.

As of 2026, the trail operates under a hard daily permit cap to preserve its wilderness character. Historical artefacts are scattered along the entire route — rusted equipment, collapsed buildings, stamped tin cans still bearing 1898 labels — all protected by U.S. and Canadian law. The combination of living history and raw Alaskan wilderness makes this one of the most emotionally resonant multi-day hikes in North America.

Route Overview & Stages

The trail runs southwest to northeast, starting at the Dyea trailhead in Alaska and finishing at Bennett in British Columbia. Total distance is 53 km with a cumulative elevation gain of approximately 1,550 m (5,085 ft), most of it concentrated in the final push to Chilkoot Pass. The stages below reflect the main campgrounds used by NPS and Parks Canada for permit allocation.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Dyea Townsite (km 0): The starting point of the trail is itself a ghost town. Dyea boomed to a population of 8,000 in 1898 and was almost entirely abandoned by 1900 when the White Pass railway made the Chilkoot route obsolete. Flat grassy meadows now conceal the outlines of hundreds of former buildings, with interpretive signs marking the original street grid — one of the largest Gold Rush ghost towns in North America.
• Canyon City (km 13): An abandoned 1898 tent city that briefly housed a small-gauge aerial tramway meant to mechanise the haul over the pass. The rusted iron boiler that powered the system still sits beside the trail — a striking piece of industrial archaeology in the heart of the rainforest.
• Sheep Camp (km 26): The largest campground on the U.S. side and the last sheltered site before the exposed alpine section. Rangers operate a seasonal station here; evening bear briefings are mandatory for all campers. On 3 April 1898, an avalanche above Sheep Camp killed an estimated 65–70 people — a sobering reminder of the pass's power.
• The Scales (km 31): Named for the weighing stations where packers re-weighed loads before the final haul to the summit. Rusted tin cans and discarded equipment are scattered across the gravel flat; many labels from 1898 are still legible. This is where the gradient abruptly steepens.
• The Golden Stairs (km 32–33): A near-vertical 45-degree slope of loose rock and, in early season, snow and ice leading to the summit. During the Gold Rush, stampeders carved 1,500 steps into the snow — a human chain visible from the valley below. Today hikers scramble over boulders and, before mid-June, negotiate snow fields that may require microspikes or an ice axe.
• Chilkoot Pass (km 33, 1,074 m): The summit and U.S.–Canada border. Views extend south over Alaska's coastal mountains and north into British Columbia's sub-alpine plateau. A passport check is conducted by Canadian border services at Bennett or Happy Camp — carry your passport at all times on this trail.
• Lake Lindeman (km 45): In spring 1898 this quiet lake was a frantic construction site where thousands of stampeders felled trees and built boats to float north toward Dawson City. At its peak, Lindeman City held over 4,000 people. Today it is serene boreal forest with interpretive panels and scattered foundation outlines marking where the tent city stood.
• Bennett (km 53): The trail terminus on the southeastern shore of Lake Bennett is a desolate but evocative ghost town. The wood-frame St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, built in 1899, still stands as a landmark. The White Pass & Yukon Route narrow-gauge railway connects Bennett to Skagway — the standard exit for hikers completing the trail.

Practical Information

Best Time to Hike

The official hiking season runs from late May to mid-September. Each period has distinct trade-offs:

• Late May – early June: Snow remains on The Scales and the Golden Stairs; microspikes and trekking poles are the minimum, and some years an ice axe is required. Permit demand is lower, wildlife is highly active, and temperatures at altitude can fall below −10 °C at night. Avalanche hazard is present in late May.
• Late June – July: The sweet spot. Snow has cleared from most sections by late June, wildflowers bloom across the Canadian plateau, and days stretch to 18–20 hours of light. Average highs reach 18–22 °C at lower elevations; expect 8–12 °C less at the summit. Permits fill fastest for these dates — book on opening day.
• August: Excellent conditions overall. Blueberries ripen on the Canadian side and bears are most active near berry patches. Rain becomes more frequent by late August; pack accordingly.
• September: Dramatic autumn colour in the boreal forest, very few other hikers. Cold nights and a higher probability of early snowfall at the pass. Some services and the WP&YR hiker train schedule begin to wind down by mid-September — confirm dates before booking.

Rain is possible on any day of the season. A waterproof hardshell jacket and fully waterproof pack cover are non-negotiable items regardless of the forecast.

Accommodation

The Chilkoot Trail is a wilderness experience with no huts or lodges on the route itself. All overnight accommodation is at designated backcountry campgrounds with bear-resistant food storage boxes (use is mandatory on the U.S. side). Main campgrounds include Finnegan's Point, Canyon City, Pleasant Camp, Sheep Camp, Happy Camp, Deep Lake, Lake Lindeman, Bare Loon Lake, and Bennett — each with food caches, pit toilets, and fire rings where fires are permitted.

On the U.S. side, camping is included in the trail permit. Canadian campsite fees are bundled into the Parks Canada permit. Before the trail, most hikers spend a night in Skagway, Alaska (14 km from the Dyea trailhead): hotels and hostels range from approximately USD 80–180 per night (EUR 73–165). Budget travellers will find dorm beds from around USD 45 (EUR 41). At the Bennett end, onwards travel is the same day via train; hikers needing to overnight en route to Whitehorse will find budget hostels in Carcross from approximately CAD 60 (EUR 40).

Getting There & Back

To the trailhead (Dyea): Dyea sits 14 km north of Skagway, Alaska, and has no public bus service. A dedicated shuttle taxi from Skagway costs approximately USD 15–20 per person. Skagway itself is reachable by Alaska Marine Highway ferry from Bellingham, Washington or Juneau, Alaska, or by driving the South Klondike Highway south from Whitehorse, Yukon. The nearest airport is Skagway Airport (SGY), served by small commuter aircraft connecting to Juneau International (JNU), which has onward flights to Seattle (SEA) and Anchorage (ANC).

From Bennett back to Skagway: The White Pass & Yukon Route (WP&YR) narrow-gauge railway operates a scheduled hiker service from Bennett. The journey to Skagway takes approximately 3 hours through dramatic mountain scenery — itself a historic experience, as the railway was built in 1898–1900 as a direct response to the Chilkoot route's closure. As of 2026, departures from Bennett run once daily during peak season at approximately 14:00; confirm the current schedule and book seats well in advance. The fare is approximately USD 105–125 (EUR 97–115). An alternative exit is to walk 4 km from Bennett to Carcross (Yukon) and arrange highway transport north to Whitehorse.

Permits & Fees

Both agencies require permits and no more than 50 backpackers may start the trail per day — a hard cap that fills within hours for June and July dates. Parks Canada administers the primary permit covering the Canadian section; NPS administers access to the Dyea trailhead and U.S. campsites. Both are required to hike the full trail.

Parks Canada opens reservations for the following summer at reservation.pc.gc.ca, typically in January or February. Booking on opening day is essential for June and July. Permits are non-transferable and cancellations are rare. A small allocation of walk-up permits is distributed each morning at the Skagway NPS visitor centre, but availability cannot be counted on during peak season. Carry your passport — Canadian border services conduct document checks at Happy Camp or Bennett.

Gear & Packing List

The Chilkoot demands a pack that handles 3–5 days of food, highly variable weather, and a technically demanding summit section. Weight matters acutely on the Golden Stairs, but cutting too deep in this remote, wet environment is genuinely dangerous. Aim for a base weight of 7–11 kg and carry water filtration — streams are frequent, and water is clean after treatment.

Backpack: Choose a pack rated for the load you'll carry. Ultralight hikers confident on alpine terrain should look at the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L — DCF fabric sheds water and the frameless design keeps weight low without sacrificing capacity for 5-day food carries. Those who prefer structured load transfer over 14–18 kg should consider the Deuter Aircontact Core 50+10, a proven expedition pack with an active back system suited to uneven terrain. For hikers wanting a middle ground between ultralight and traditional carry, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Windrider performs exceptionally in wet conditions thanks to its cuben fibre construction — a real advantage on the rainforest section of the Chilkoot.

Shelter & sleep system: A three-season tent works well for July–August; a four-season tent or a shelter rated to at least −5 °C is appropriate for late May and June starts. Bring a sleeping bag rated to −5 °C or colder. A lightweight sleeping bag liner adds 5–8 °C of warmth for negligible weight.

Layering: A waterproof hardshell jacket rated to at least 20,000 mm hydrostatic head is essential. Pack a mid-layer fleece, thermal base layers, and insulated gloves — above-tree-line sections can be brutally cold even in July if the wind picks up. Gaiters are useful in early season snow conditions.

Technical gear (early season): Before mid-June, microspikes and trekking poles are the minimum for The Scales and the Golden Stairs. Check NPS and Parks Canada conditions reports before departure; some years an ice axe is required until late June. Never attempt the pass without understanding self-arrest technique if carrying an axe.

Food planning: You carry all food for 3–5 days. Bear canisters are not required (bear boxes are provided at every campground), but all food must go into the boxes. A typical Chilkoot hiker burns 3,000–4,500 kcal per day depending on pack weight and conditions — read our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day to plan your food weight accurately before you pack. High-calorie-per-gram foods (nut butters, freeze-dried meals, hard cheese) are the right choice here.

For a broader look at load-optimised packs for exactly this kind of multi-day alpine trip, see our tested roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026.

Similar Trails You Might Like

The Chilkoot sits in a rare category — a trail where world-class wilderness and profound historical narrative exist on the same path. If you are drawn to point-to-point routes through remote mountain terrain that cross international borders and carry deep cultural significance, that combination is harder to replicate than it sounds. As HikeLoad continues to add IWN and long-distance North American routes to the database, comparable trails will appear here. Check back as we expand our coverage of multi-day wilderness routes in Canada, Alaska, and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a passport to hike the Chilkoot Trail?

Yes. The trail crosses the international U.S.–Canada border at Chilkoot Pass. You must carry a valid passport — or a Nexus card if eligible — for the full duration of the hike. Canadian border services officers conduct document checks at Happy Camp or Bennett on the Canadian side. Hikers without valid travel documents will not be permitted to complete the trail and face being turned back at the summit.

How hard is the Chilkoot Trail?

The trail is rated strenuous. The first two days follow relatively straightforward forest trail, but the climb from Sheep Camp to Chilkoot Pass — especially the Golden Stairs — is steep, loose, and exposed to weather. Total elevation gain is approximately 1,550 m. Most healthy adults complete the trail in 3–5 days; the fastest known time is 5 hours 27 minutes by ultramarathoner Geoff Roes.

When do Chilkoot Trail permits sell out?

June and July permits typically sell out within hours of reservations opening — Parks Canada usually schedules the opening window in January or February for the following summer. August permits are slightly easier to obtain but still go fast. If you miss opening day, check for cancellations regularly through the Parks Canada reservation system. A small number of walk-up permits are distributed each morning at the Skagway NPS visitor centre, but availability during peak season is not guaranteed.

Are there bears on the Chilkoot Trail?

Yes — both black bears and grizzly bears are present along the entire trail. Bear activity increases in August when berries ripen on the Canadian side. All food, toiletries, and scented items must be stored in the bear-resistant boxes provided at every campground. Firearms are prohibited on the Canadian section. Carry bear spray and know how to use it. Rangers at Sheep Camp give mandatory bear-safety briefings during peak season.

What is the best way to return to Skagway after finishing?

The standard return is the White Pass & Yukon Route (WP&YR) narrow-gauge railway from Bennett to Skagway — a 3-hour scenic journey with its own strong Gold Rush history. The train accommodates hikers and full packs; book seats well in advance as the hiker service fills quickly in July. As of 2026, the fare is approximately USD 105–125. Alternatively, walk 4 km to Carcross and arrange highway transport north to Whitehorse.