The Chilkoot trail is definitely one of the most famous hiking and wilderness trails in the Yukon area. The trail is extremely popular, and some summers is the most popular backpacking trail in Alaska, hosting several thousand people a season. This can make for a less isolated experience during peak weeks, which is something prospective backpackers might want to keep in mind.

The Chilkoot trail became especially important during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897-1898. Of the approximately thirty thousand miners (known at the time as "stampeders") who completed the trip to the Whitehorse area of the Yukon to search for gold, a majority of them took the Chilkoot trail. It was the traditional starting point for the gold rush journey.

Hiking the Chilkoot Trail
Hiking the Chilkoot trail is an experience valuable not only for the exposure to Klondike Gold Rush history, but also because of the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the spectacular countryside of the Yukon. The Yukon area includes some of the most spectacular wildlife and nature preserves in the world. Hiking the Chilkoot trail gives you a glimpse into what the original stampeders might have seen.

When passing over Chilkoot pass, the summit of the Chilkoot trail, you'll be more than three thousand feet above sea level, and exposed to some amazing views. The Chilkoot trail is best traversed over several days, with an experienced guide. The more knowledgeable your traveling companions, the better exposure you'll get to the rich history of the area.

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