Destinations » Skagway »
Yakutania Point / Smuggler’s Cove Trail
Skagway:
Skagway is a small compact bicycle friendly community, having paved shoulders throughout the community and slow vehicle
speeds. The Skagway terminal of the Alaskas Marine Highway is located one quarter of a mile south of town making an
easy connecting to the historic rich downtown. Both bike routes are located at the perimeter of downtown.
Skagway has excellent cycling services and is served by one bike shop. Sockeye Cycle is a full service shop offering
bicycle repair, new and used bicycles for sale, and rentals. They provide numerous guided bicycle tours in Skagway
including down from the Klondike Highway summit, to Dyea and the start of the Chilkoot trail, and Train and Bike, or
Bike and Raft trips. Tours also include multi-day rides of the Golden Circle Route (Haines to the Yukon and back down
to Skagway), Bike and Raft tours in the Yukon, and tours throughout Southeast Alaska. They also offer information on
self-guided tours. Sockeye Cycle is located downtown at 381 Fifth Street, (877) 292-4154 or
(907) 983-2851, www.cyclealaska.com. Skagway also has limited auto service
stations that can provide a basic level of service. There are no cycling services on the two bike routes. Bicycle racks
are located throughout the community and can be found at local destinations including super markets, the ferry terminal,
and public facilities.
Summary:
From the ferry terminal, go west on First Avenue for two blocks, turn (south) on Main Street to the airport terminal, just past the airport cross the Skagway River steel footbridge. Once across the bridge you are on the Yakutania Trail. Follow the gravel trail to the left along the river. Yakutinia Trail ends just after exercise station #4 and becomes a more difficult bike route beyond this point. At this location, users can go down the narrow trail and ascend the rock steps to the picnic shelter on the point with great views of Lynn Canal and the Chilkat Mountains; or continue on the trail which becomes the Smugglers Cove Trail at this location. Smugglers Cove Trail is less developed with a greater level of difficultly. The end of the Smugglers Cove Trail links up with the gravel Dyea Road. From Dyea Road you can go to the north (left) to the Chilkat Trail, historic Dyea, and the National Park Service campground, or east (right) to return to Skagway. The road to Dyea and the campground is just over 6 miles each way and the distance back to Skagway from the end of Smugglers Cove Trail is 3.5 miles. Dyea Road is a fairly level single lane gravel road with short steep portions and pullouts for passing. Cyclists should use caution.
Activity:
Mountain biking with hiking and winter use
Intrinsic Quality:
Scenic
Length:
2.5 miles loop
Elevation:
50 feet elevation gain
Difficulty:
Easy on Yakutania Trail becoming moderate on Smugglers Cove Trail
Starting Point:
From the ferry terminal, go west on First for two blocks, turn (south) on Main, take Main to the airport terminal, cross the steel footbridge. At exercise station #4, a dirt road leads off the main path to Smugglers Cove.
Google Earth File:
Click HERE to download a Google Earth file of the bicycle route. To view profile in Google Earth, right-click on the route in the ‘Places’ window and choose ‘Show Elevation Profile.’ Note: Trail route is approximate. Also, the imagery that Google uses is slightly shifted.
Weather:
HERE is the official National Weather Service forecast for the trail location. To view the current FAA webcam image from Skagway, click HERE.