Encounter gold rush tales and dramatic scenery on the Chilkoot Trail
Immerse yourself into one of the classic trekking trips in all of North America: The Chilkoot Trail. Follow the route of the gold rush into the Yukon, over the incredible Chilkoot Pass. Along the way marvel at the beauty of Alaska, Northern British Columbia and the Yukon.
Start in the wonderful, coastal town of Skagway, Alaska, and enjoy a hiking expedition on the Chilkoot trail that carries you back in time while also introducing you to the crisp, untouched scenery tucked deep into the Northern Coast Mountains.
Embroidered with glaciers and glimpses of the unforgettable gold rush, this seven-day intrepid expedition not only tosses you remnants of history, but the breathtaking scenery coaxes you into trekking through tiredness and continuing on. Amid the five days of hiking 52 kilometers of the historical route—one that has you stamping new footprints on a path once walked by many gold seekers—you’ll have time to bask, relax, and camp out in the thick of the wilderness.
Highlights of the Chilkoot Trail Hike
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Chilkoot Trail Hike Itinerary
Day 1 Whitehorse
Meet with your guide at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day exploring the quirky, informative monuments and historical facts spanning Whitehorse. Check out the longest wooden fish ladder on Earth, learn tidbits about prehistoric times in the Yukon and Alaska, marvel at the sternwheeler on the banks of the Yukon River.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Whitehorse
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Start the Chilkoot Trail
Take a short transfer by road to Skagway, but don’t dismiss this as a regular ride. Look out for the UNESCO International Civil Engineering Landmark: White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad. Admire the quaint buildings constructed during the gold rush in Skagway before beginning your route at the trailhead in Dyea for a short hike on challenging terrain to your campsite at Finnegan’s Point. Keep your eye out for salmon swimming in the river, black bears, and eagles amid the lanes of Spruce trees.
Overnight Location: Camping at Finnegan’s Point
Distance: 8 km
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 Hike to Sheep Camp
Wake up in the bliss of wilderness, consume breakfast, and get ready for a trek along the Taiya River. Expect to encounter a couple of steep but short climbs as you meander along the river and Rock Garden, a charming meadow that grants easy walking. Reach Canyon City, a town once rich with prosperity due to the gold rush, but has since been abandoned. Set up your tent and enjoy a relaxing evening in the fresh air.
Overnight Location: Camping at Sheep Camp
Distance: 12.9 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Over Chilkoot Pass
Enjoy an early breakfast before traversing a trail peppered with gold rush tales: discover where gold miners dropped off non-essentials due to the steep terrain and wind past the canopy of trees to where a cacophony of rocks, scattered in all directions, take over the scenery. Here, many gold miners died because of an avalanche in 1898. Scramble up the Golden Stairs before reaching an elevation of 1100 meters above sea level. Say goodbye to Alaska and enter the Yukon. Enjoy a descent over fields of snow, pass lakes and creeks. Expect to reach Happy Camp at some point in the late afternoon.
Overnight Location: Camping at Happy Camp
Distance: 12.1 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Hike to Lake Lindemann
Get ready for a day meandering across relatively flat terrain while coming across a collection of enchanting views. Marvel at numerous bodies of water on this part of the journey: Long Lake, Deep Lake, Moose Creek, and Lake Lindemann. The hike may be relatively easy today but be prepared for a climb at Long Lake.
Overnight Location: Camping at Lake Lindemann
Distance: 8.8 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 Bennett Lake & Float Plane
After breakfast, tie up your laces and begin the final leg of your trek. Today’s route beautifully intertwines tales of the gold rush with epic scenery and adventure. As you reach Bennett Lake, which stretches across the Yukon and British Columbia, look out for the old church from the gold rush era and a rail station. Afterwards, hop on a floatplane and travel 45 minutes back to Whitehorse. Feel free to take up the option to book a flight tour that will carry you over the glaciers coating the Coast Mountains. Travel with your team from the airport to a hotel in Whitehorse. Enjoy a well-earned hot shower and spend the evening munching on a hearty dinner with your new friends and guide.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Whitehorse
Distance: 11.3 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7 Depart Whitehorse
Say your goodbyes and get dropped off at either the airport or connect with your next adventure.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: None
Chilkoot Trail Hike Price and Dates
This guided trekking tour in Canada is run as a fixed-departure tour where you’d be joining a group, however, custom private tours can be organized for those willing to travel with their group only (please contact us with your preferred date and the number of people in your group and we will create the itinerary just for you).
Prices below are per person:
Accommodation on Chilkoot Trail Hike
The Chilkoot Pilgrimage will have you staying in a combination of hotels and campsites. Expect to stay in two or three-star hotels, which come equipped with necessary, comfortable amenities. Keep in mind that you will stay with another member of the tour in a room at the hotels. Feel free to upgrade to single occupancy for an additional fee.
Throughout your trek, you will spend four nights at established campsites in a shared tent.
Please note that the hotels listed below may need to be swapped for other similar accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement of $275 USD to have a private room in a hotel. It’s definitely possible to match single travelers up.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Days Inn in Whitehorse
This simple, yet comfortable hotel has all the amenities needed to make your stay in Whitehorse relaxing and memorable.
Wilderness Campsites
Immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes as you camp out beneath the stars. High-quality equipment and expert guides offer a wonderful camping experience.
Days Inn in Whitehorse
This simple, yet comfortable hotel has all the amenities needed to make your stay in Whitehorse relaxing and memorable.
What’s included in the Chilkoot Trail Hike?
Meals
4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners are included. Meals in hotels are not included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 6 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
Transport for you and your gear is included from pick-up at the airport in Whitehorse to drop-off at the airport in Whitehorse or at your next tour connection.
Also Included
- An expert guide throughout the trek
- Camping equipment, except for the sleeping bag and mat
- Transportation throughout the trek, including a floatplane transfer from Bennett Lake to Whitehorse
- Chilkoot Park fees and licenses
Not included
- Flights to get to Whitehorse
- Meals in hotels
- Personal necessities
- Insurance
- A fishing license
- Optional tour guide gratuity
- GST (Goods and Services Tax) - 5%
Optional Extras
- A plane tour over the glaciers dotting the Coast Mountains on Day 6
- Extra night in Whitehorse before or after the tour
Frequently Asked Questions about Chilkoot Trail Hike
Ruby Range Adventure has been guiding visitors to the Yukon and Alaska for over 30 years. They are a Yukon-based wilderness tour operator providing an unmatched experience and a genuine love of the North in every trip they lead.
Ruby Range’s guides are qualified to lead guests into the deepest wilderness and knowledgeable enough to explain the rich history of the communities that dot the landscape.
They recognize that their livelihood is based on the environment, so they work to protect the balance between man and nature by limiting group size and choosing eco-conscious excursions.
Learn MoreChilkoot Trail Hike Map
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Local Guide
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Stephan is a trusted adventurer and a longtime guide with Ruby Range Adventure.
His love of the North and nature is what brought him into guiding over 25 years ago.
You can meet him on one of their canoe expeditions, on a sightseeing adventure or on a hiking trip- he does it all!
- Q: What is the best part of guiding tourists in your region?
- A: Reconnecting guests with nature so they can recharge for their busy life back home. Making them aware of the environmental sensitivity of the North so they can understand the importance of protecting Yukon's wilderness and wildlife for future generations.
- Q: What are guests most surprised about when visiting your region?
- A: The pristine wilderness of the Yukon, its rich living history, its vibrant culture, stunningly unique geography, epic scenery, and wildlife. Also, the fact that the Yukon is almost twice the size of Germany, but moose still outnumber humans by far.
- Q: What is one local dish or drink that visitors absolutely have to try?
- A: Homemade Pemmican, it's Canada's oldest power bar made from dried meat or fish, dried wild berries, and tallow.
- Q: What do guests say about the tours you lead?
- A: Guests value my experience and vast local knowledge about Yukon and indigenous history and about the wildlife. They appreciate my professionalism and kindness and how I ensure every guest has a memorable trip experience.