Denali Park, Alaska
Williwaw Trail
A Denali tundra ridge walk with the mountain in sight the whole way.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Length
- 5.4 mi
- Elevation Gain
- 800 ft
- Duration
- 2–3
- Best Season
- Jun–Sep
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Features
- Tundra, Denali views
About the trail
The Williwaw Trail climbs out of the Toklat River valley onto a broad alpine ridge where the tundra is a mat of low blueberries, cotton grass, and lichens. It is one of the few Denali trails that stays above the bush line the entire way, and on clear days Denali itself fills the southern sky. Caribou, grizzlies, and Dall sheep move through the ridge, so the trail is also a wildlife viewing platform.
Trailhead map & directions
Trailhead: 63.0700, -150.9800Get directions →
Turn-by-turn route
- Park at the Williwaw trailhead at Mile 58 of the Denali Park Road.
- Climb the steep initial grade out of the valley.
- Follow the marked path along the ridge toward the overlook.
- Continue to the viewpoint above the Toklat River.
- Return the same way. Total: 5.4 miles.
Parking
Williwaw pullout at Mile 58 — a short gravel lot with pit toilets, and the only place on this stretch of road to leave a car.
Tips from the trail
- Carry bear spray and know how to use it — this is black bear and grizzly country.
- The park road is a single lane; factor bus or driving time into your day.
- Tundra is fragile — stay on the marked path.
- Weather flips fast at 3,000 feet even in July.