Rainbird Hiking Trail — Attraction in Ketchikan

The Rainbird Hiking Trail is a hidden gem for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore lush landscapes and peaceful forested paths. Winding through dense woodland, the trail offers a mix of gentle slopes and more challenging sections, making it accessible for a range of fitness levels while still rewarding hikers with a sense of adventure.

Along the way, you’ll find streams, moss-covered rocks, and occasional clearings that provide perfect spots to rest and take in the surroundings. Birdsong fills the air, and the chance to spot local wildlife adds a delightful element of surprise to the hike. In spring and summer, wildflowers bloom along the trail, while autumn paints the forest in vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, making each season a unique experience.

Whether you’re hiking for exercise, photography, or simply a peaceful escape into nature, the Rainbird Hiking Trail delivers a refreshing and immersive outdoor experience that showcases the natural beauty...

We did the whole trail, from the trailhead by SE Alaska University to the highway exit. We took a taxi up from the downtown area and quickly realized that was a very good choice as the hike up to any of the tra heads was a significant climb. The trail itself is a very nice tour of the forest mountainside. While it is a well established trail, there are plenty of aggressive slopes, both up and down, to navigate and very good trail shoes, or even boots, seem a wise choice. There is a mixture of rocks, gravel, tree roots, and general forest floor to navigate. Along the trail is a beautiful selection of of new and very old growth, with no signs of logging other than what has been needed to maintain the trail. Toward the end there are a couple of wonderful overlooks of the town and port, along with the surrounding islands. The scenery, both in the forest and at the overlooks is beautiful and I most certainly recommend...

This trail takes you through a beautiful, lush forest with large trees, babbling streams, and good views of Pennock Island, parts of Ketchikan, and surrounding mountains. Most trail apps mark this as an easy trail although I’d say it’s more moderate . Be prepared for steep hills, tree roots, slippery rocks in some areas - sturdy footwear and hiking poles are recommended. I didn’t use hiking poles and got around fine but I could see how they could be useful. The best lookout point is closer to the South access of the trail - there’s a clearing with a short wood fence right next to the trail. You can walk to the South access of the trail from the cruise port, or the bus route also goes by both the North and South access points of the trail. We had a rental car so started at the UAS campus access point where you can park within the University’s...