Is there a long distance trail in Alaska?
 

I wish to do a long hike (100 miles or more) across Alaska this summer (from June) to see the country, not just the mountains but also the villages and small towns.
In fact, I prefer not to be isolated for more than few days (up to a week), and be able to get supply every few days.
I am planning to walk with my camping gear and camp where possible.

I read about the Iditarod trail, but did not understand if one can walk it (not dog-sled it), is it a walkable trail?

Thank you for the information.

I believe the Iditarod is a series of trails. Over 1000 miles long (route originally had a commercial use.) You can certainly hike a part of it...and no doubt there are portions you can park at trail head and day hike or overnight backpack.

But as for hiking place to place, I don't know if any portion is practical for that. Alaska seems kind of sparsely populated for that. 100 miles could easily be the distance between one town and the next.

Where are you from? Have you hiked anything in BC or any of these-

http://www.hikingdude.com/hiking-longdistance.php

I think Appalachian might be closest to what you're looking for. It definitely has communities along it.

The Iditarod trail is mainly winter-only; it crosses several rivers (no bridges) and there are few villages en route. Most are much farther than 100 miles apart.

Most of Alaska is off the road system, and getting to places to start and end wilderness hiking is a major issue. There are no buses to get off, and if you rent a car you have to return to it. There is nothing like the Appalachian Trail or the Pacific Crest trail; the distances are huge and the settlements very small and far apart. You'd be trail-breaking in many areas, and the dangers of injury, animal attack, or getting stranded are not to be brushed off.

You might look at the Resurrection Pass trail that runs from Hope to Cooper Landing. You'd need to figure out how to get to Hope and back from Cooper Landing (or v.v.) or do it as a round trip from one of the other.

You should read up on hiking in Alaska. Start here for some examples: http://www.alaska.org/destination/ke...ninsula/trails

>>I wish to do a long hike (100 miles or more) across Alaska this summer (from June) to see the country, not just the mountains but also the villages and small towns.

In fact, I prefer not to be isolated for more than few days (up to a week), and be able to get supply every few days.<<

Alaska is nothing like anything you may be familiar w/ in the lower 48.

In most areas the neighboring village (which may be very small) will be more than 100 miles away. There are really no strings of villages/towns walking distance apart.