The Bird to Gird Trail is an easy to moderate biking trail between Anchorage and Girdwood. It’s 13.3 miles one-way and parallels the Seward Highway.
You’ll follow a paved bike path while enjoying incredible views of the Chugach Mountains and the Turnagain Arm.
There are a few access points along the way, which make it a great trail for a one-way or round trip bike ride.
In this post, I’m going to share everything you need to know to bike Bird to Gird Trail near Anchorage.
Bird to Gird Trail Summary
Traditional Land: Dena’ina (Visit Native-Land.ca to identify whose land you live, work, and play on.)
Distance: 13.3 miles one-way
Time: 4 hours
Elevation Gain: 300 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Dogs: Yes
Bird to Gird Trail Map
Quick Tips
- Bring $5 for parking if you don’t have an Alaska State Park Pass
- Rent a bike in Anchorage
- Keep an eye out for bears and carry bear spray
Bike Rentals in Anchorage and Girdwood
- Alaska Pacific University
- Trek Bicycle Store Anchorage
- Downtown Bicycle Rental
- Alaska eBike
- Chain Reaction Cycles
- Powder Hound
How to Get to Bird to Gird Trail
Bird to Gird Trail can be found along the Turnagain Arm, south of Anchorage. There are many access points along the Turnagain Arm where you can begin your bike ride.
From Anchorage, you will drive south on the Seward Highway. I like to park at the Bird Creek Campground and start the bike ride from there.
Planning Your Bird Creek to Girdwood Bike Ride
Best Season
This trail is open year-round but the best summer biking conditions are from June (when the snow has melted) to October (before the snow falls).
During the winter, a section of the trail closed due to avalanche hazard. It’s important to be avy savvy before any winter recreation.
Where to Start From
Bird to Gird can be accessed from many areas along Turnagain Arm. I prefer to start from the Bird Creek Campground, but you can also park at Indian Creek and Bird Point. You can also start and end in Girdwood if you plan to continue traveling south.
Bird Creek Campground
The Bird to Gird Trail is actually a slight shorter section of the Indian to Girdwood Bike Path, which starts in Indian, a tiny community along the Seward Highway. If you start from Indian, the trail is 13.3 miles one way.
I prefer to start in Bird Creek at the Bird Creek Campground. There is a parking lot right next to the trail and it’s around 12 miles from here to Girdwood.
After parking in the south side of the campground, you’ll bike onto a paved path that winds through the forest and parallels the Turnagain Arm and the railroad tracks.
Biking Along Bird to Gird Trail
This really is one of the best biking trails in Alaska because the views are stunning! There are numerous rest stops along the way so you can sit on a bench and take it all in.
You’ll also come across interpretive signs and telescopes to look across the water or for beluga whales, which are common to see in this area.
There is little elevation gain on the trail. Most of the trail is flat, but there is one long uphill climb closer to the Girdwood side. There are rest stops in this section if you want to break it up.
Biking in Girdwood
The Bird to Gird bike path ends in Girdwood, just above the Girdwood Gas Station, which is where you can stop to get some food or a tasty beverage.
If you like pizza, grab a slice from Coast Pizza. If you want ice cream, get a scoop of fireweed flavored ice cream at The Ice Cream Shop.
At this point, you can continue biking in and around Girdwood. This is a great way to add some extra miles to your ride.
I love biking to the Girdwood Brewery to grab one of my favorite local beers, it’s an New England IPA called No Woman No Cryo. The brewery usually has food trucks outside as well!
It will take you around four hours to bike the entire trail both ways.
Additional Information
Trail Access
There are many access points along the Indian to Girdwood Bike Path:
- Indian Creek
- Bird Creek Campground
- Bird Point
- Girdwood
Designated Camping Sites
There’s one campground along the Bird to Gird Trail, but you can also camp in Girdwood. Each campground has a picnic table and a fire ring, with shared toilets.
Here is a list of designated campgrounds:
- Bird Creek Campground
- Girdwood Campground
If you’re looking for other biking trails nearby, check out the Trail of Blue Ice in Portage!
Happy biking!
Pin For Later
Do you have any questions about the Bird to Gird Trail in Girdwood? Let me know in the comments.
