Bird to Gird Pathway, Alaska

This 13-mile scenic railtrail connects the communities of Girdwood, Bird, and Indian, and offers views of the ocean, mountains, and glaciers.

From Alaska State Parks
Designated as a National Recreation Trail in 2006

Mountains, glaciers, beluga whales, and ocean views are a few of the spectacular sights you can take in on the Girdwood to Indian Pathway. Known to locals as the "Bird to Gird" this trail was recently enlarged to include an extra six miles to Indian.

The now thirteen-mile pathway follows the Turnagain Arm next to the nationally designated Scenic Seward Highway.

	Pavillion on the trail with a view of the Turnagain Arm

Most of the trail was built on the old highway alignment when the highway was moved closer to the ocean. Interpretive signs of geologic features, wildlife and avalanche mitigation line the trail.

Three communities, Girdwood, Bird, and Indian, are connected by this trail for the benefit of the residents. Trails leave the path and access each of the communities own valley trails.

The trail passes through the birch and spruce filled Bird creek campground allowing trail users to stop and spend the night if needed.

Parts of the trail are groomed for cross-country skiing in the winter by Alaska State Park Rangers. Bikers, hikers, dog walkers, skate skiers, and rollerbladers as well as many others enjoy the use of this trail.

Along the Indian to Girdwood Pathway

On June 3, 2006, there was a ribbon-cutting for the Indian to Girdwood Pathway. National Park Service Deputy Regional Director, Vic Knox, told the head of Alaska State Parks to hit the trail on National Trails Day. This year, the Indian to Girdwood Pathway was named a National Recreation Trail after nomination by Samantha Carrol of Alaska State Parks.

As a resident and trail enthusiast, Vic thanked the project partners for this world-class trail and presented an NRT certificate and a surprise (an NPS bike jersey), to Jerry Lewanski, Director for the AK Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, Other key partners in the construction of this great new trail were the Federal Highway Administration, the AK Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, and the Department of Natural Resources.

For more information:

Alaska State Parks Public Information Center, 5550 W. 7th Ave Ste 1260, Anchorage, AK 99501 - (907) 269-8400 - pic@dnr.state.ak.us - http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks

The National Recreation Trails Program
American Trails, P.O. Box 491797, Redding, CA 96049-1797 • (530) 547-2060 • Fax: (530) 547-2035 • nrt@americantrails.org • www.AmericanTrails.org

Enter the 2009 Photo contest for National Recreation Trails

Audubon Center at the Francis Beidler Forest (photo: Mark Musselman)

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