Bird to Gird Pathway / Indian to Girdwood Trail

The paved Bird to Gird bike path parallels Seward Highway along the Turnagain Arm, an inlet of the Gulf of Alaska. Many say it's the most beautiful trail of its kind in famously scenic western Alaska. Boreal forests laden with conifers grow all around you, and the tall pines shade some sections of the trail. Snow-capped mountains loom high over the ocean waters where beluga whales sometimes surface to breathe. Other wildlife you might spot include moose, bear, and bald eagles. You can read interpretive signs along the route to learn about the area's natural history.

There's good parking at the Bird Ridge Trailhead on the far western end of the pathway. There are several additional places you can park if you'd prefer to start your walk or your ride from another point along the trail's thirteen-mile length. The towns of Indian, Bird, and Girdwood offer many amenities a short distance from the pathway, and in some cases, right next to it! You can find everything from art galleries to ice cream shops along the way. 

You'll probably see many other people on this popular trail, as well as lots of leashed dogs! If your pups are more social, they'll probably make some new four-legged friends along the way. Nothing beats stopping at one of the many benches next to the path to take in the scenery. It's breathtaking to watch the way low-lying clouds filter the light onto the surface of the water. If you time it just right, you can end your day by watching a beautiful Alaskan sunset with your happy, satisfied pup.