Beginner Hikes in the Chugiak/Eagle River Area
The hikes below are generally flat and offer a great first step into hiking and getting into nature! These areas also offer both shorter and longer hikes. The trails are wide and well-maintained. They are also popular trails, so while wildlife encounters are certainly still possible, there is enough human traffic to reduce the chances of meeting something large and hairy.
Eagle River Nature Center
Located at the end of Eagle River Rd, this trail system is the also the end of the Crow Pass Trail. It has a cute visitor's center and offers cool classes throughout the year. The smallest loop brings you to a creek/pond with an extensive boardwalk where you can see salmon spawning in the fall. You can always hike the Crow Pass trail as far as you'd like. There are some rapids to view about two miles in, and Echo Bend is three miles in. "The Perch" and Heritage Falls are about a 3 and 4-mile hike respectively (1 way) and offer amazing views. There is also the Dew Mound and Albert loops trails. The Albert Loop trail typically closes in midsummer because of bear concerns, as the trail crosses several salmon streams. Be bear aware! There are lots of bears out there. Make noise, go in a group, and bring bear protection. Cabins and yurts are also available to rent along the trail, but you need to get reservations early.
South Fork Eagle River (Hiland Valley)
This trail is up near the end of Hiland Road. Once you get near timberline, follow the signs to the trailhead. The trail is generally level and is above timberline, so views and berries abound! You can also do some longer hikes here. Eagle and Symphony Lakes are about 6 miles back on an easy trail. There is also a hanging valley to the east with a side trail leading up to beautiful peaks and a small lake.
This is a great place for your first backpacking trip! The trail is mostly flat, the views are incredible, and I've rarely seen bears back there. Be aware you need to cross a boulder field once you get to the lakes. Look for "cairns" (piles of stones) to find the easiest way through. The best camping is on the ridge between the two lakes or towards Eagle Lake (the one to the east) after you cross the boulder field.
Thunderbird Falls
This one is my least favorite. The trail only goes about a mile back and ends at a fairly unimpressive waterfall. Before you reach the end of the trail, where there is a view platform you can hardly see the waterfall from, take the side trail to your left heading down to the creek, where you can get closer to the base of the falls. The first half of the hike borders a subdivision, so you see people's backyards for half the hike. The trail also often has lots of people.
Eklutna Lake
Instead of Thunderbird Falls, go all the way back on Eklutna Lake Rd to the end. There is a big campground at the foot of the lake. A trail follows the lake shore and beyond. It ends about 12 miles back. This is also a great place to bring bikes. Be aware motorized vehicles are allowed on the trail several days a week, which kinda ruins the quiet nature walk. The views are amazing the whole way. Other moderate hikes are also nearby. This tends to be an annoyingly popular spot on warm sunny days. Be aware that the lake is very, very cold. Sudden strong winds also affect the lake, so if you are doing any water sports, be very, very careful. In the winter you can skate on the lake ice if we have a cold winter with delayed snow, but be careful. The lake is used as Anchorage's water supply, and rising and falling lake levels can make the ice unstable.
Arctic Valley
Take the Arctic Valley exit and drive east. The dirt road winds way up the mountainside, and you begin your hike on the tundra at the base of Arctic Valley Ski Area. The easy, wide trail ascends gently to a pass with excellent views of the mountains near Eagle River. Once you get to the pass, you can turn right and ascend Mt. Gordon-Lyon. If you take a right, you can climb Rendezvous Peak. This is also a very popular trail on nice days and during berry season. Be aware that the military closes the gate and the bottom of the road at 9 or 10pm, so make sure you are out of there in time. Also, the parking lot is run by the ski resort, so you will need to pay for parking even if you have an Alaska State Parks parking sticker.