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© Haley Johnston

THE TRAILS INITIATIVE

The Trails Initiative works to create more and better trails in Alaska, to help build a stronger Alaska economy, and to expand year-round opportunities for everyone to be active, healthy, and happy outside.

 

At the Trails Initiative we work with trails organizations and partners from around the state to collaborate with leaders in government, business and the non-profit sector to increase investment in the trails we love.

 

People and communities across Alaska recognize that outdoor recreation supports public health, contributes to a high quality of life, and drives spending that supports business, creates jobs, and generates tax revenue. Smart investments in outdoor recreation infrastructure attract employers, residents, retirees, and a skilled workforce, ensuring that communities thrive economically and socially. Good planning in conjunction with these investments can ensure that while the outdoor recreation industry grows, we retain what makes our communities and trail systems so special.

Clouds around Mount Blackburn

Explore our Trails Investment Resources

© National Park Service, Alaska Region

Trails Investment Strategy

The Statewide Trails Investment Strategy focuses on ways to build on and expand trail infrastructure to help Alaska make the most of our outdoor recreation potential

© JodyO Photos, Visit Anchorage

The Alaska Long Trail

Long trails offer visitors a range of experience - from simple day hikes to multi-week, bucket list lifetime accomplishments. With some of the most stunning wilderness in the world, Alaska is long overdue in creating a world-class long trail of its own. Alaska Trails and its partners are proposing such a route connecting Fairbanks and Seward.   

© Jeremy Matlock, BLM

The Tongass includes over 700 miles of trails, spread across 17 million acres, within nine Ranger Districts. The Tongass Sustainable Trails Strategy (TSTS) developed strategies to support this valuable trail system, and to expand and better sustain the economic, health and social benefits that trails provide.

Read the TSTS

(coming soon)

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© Haley Johnston

© Haley Johnston

© Bob Wick, BLM

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Funding for Trails

There are many trail funding sources in Alaskaranging from federal programs to state and local opportunities. Learn more about federal funding sources, along with urgent issues at the state and national level for building more and better trails and a stronger Alaskan outdoor recreation economy.  

2019 Trails Report

This report presents work in progress by a still-growing group of trail users, non-profits, land management agencies, and businesses, all of whom believe that when done right, trails and outdoor recreation will be a key to Alaska's prosperous future.  

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© Haley Johnston

© National Park Service, Alaska Region

© National Park Service, Alaska Region

Our work relies on a growing coalition of statewide partners

 

Want to get involved? 

Stay Informed or Share Your Ideas

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