Chilkoot Trail
A historic mountain route through a remote wilderness corridor on the Canada–Alaska border, following the path of Klondike Gold Rush stampeders of 1898.
Route overview
A cross-border alpine route from coastal Alaska over the Chilkoot Pass into British Columbia, following the historic Gold Rush trail.
The Chilkoot Trail runs 53 kilometres from Dyea, Alaska, across the Chilkoot Pass into British Columbia, ending at Bennett, British Columbia, near Carcross, Yukon. It crosses an international border between the United States and Canada and is jointly managed by the US National Park Service and Parks Canada. The trail climbs steeply from temperate rainforest near sea level to alpine tundra at the Chilkoot Pass at 1,067 metres, then descends to the remote lake shores where Gold Rush stampeders assembled their boats in winter 1898–1899. Historic artefacts left by the original travellers are protected in place along the route and visible from the trail. The remote ending at Bennett requires either a pre-arranged float plane pickup or taking the White Pass and Yukon Route railway back to Skagway. Planning logistics is an important part of preparing for this route.
Trail facts
- Country
- Canada / United States
- Region
- Yukon / Alaska
- Distance
- 53 km
- Typical duration
- 3–5 days
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Elevation gain
- 1,000 m
- Best season
- June–August
- Trail type
- Point-to-point
Access and logistics
- Permits and access
- Overnight permits are required and are available from Parks Canada. Daily quotas apply. Advance booking is strongly recommended.
- Bookings
- Return transport from Bennett must be arranged in advance — options include the White Pass and Yukon Route railway or floatplane.
Safety context
Weather at the pass can change rapidly with wind, snow, and whiteout conditions even in summer. The 'Golden Stairs' section near the pass involves steep scrambling on loose rock. Bear canisters are mandatory. Crossing back into Alaska requires a valid passport.
Permits are required and numbers are strictly limited — book well in advance. The trail is one-way and finishing logistics at Bennett must be arranged before departure.
Highlights
Chilkoot Pass summit (1,067 m) Historic Gold Rush artefacts in situ Alpine tundra and glacier views Bennett Lake arrival Old Gold Rush encampment sites
Why find a buddy
The Chilkoot's permit system, cross-border logistics, and remote finish point all benefit from shared planning. The steep summit section and unpredictable weather make a companion a genuine safety asset.
Primary source
Explore and prepare
Discover hikes by intent, read the hiking guides, review hiking safety, prepare a BuddyPack, or browse hiking plans.
Route conditions, access, services and transport can change. Verify time-sensitive information before departure.