Savage Alpine Trail
Denali National Park
Epic Overview
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6.5/7
The Northern Epics Quality Score is our trail rating system. We only list and review trails that we personally have hiked. Fortunately, as a guided hiking outfit, we hike a lot.
Why is the Northern Epics Quality Score out of 7 instead of 5 or 10? Because we wanted to. 7 is a fun number!
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~1,400 ft.
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~4.1 miles
Savage Alpine Trail Description
If you’re looking for the highest “wow-per-mile” hike in Denali’s front country, this is it. The Savage Alpine Trail is a steep, tundra-and-view kind of adventure that feels like a true mountain hike, but stays easily reachable from the Park Road. On clear days, it delivers some of the best chances to see Mt. Denali from a maintained trail, plus huge open views across the rolling tundra and Alaska Range foothills.
From the Savage River side, the trail wastes no time: it climbs sharply right away, threading past striking schist outcroppings before easing into a long side-hill traverse through an alpine bowl. The grade relaxes up high, letting you settle into a nice rhythm — wind in your face, and miles of bright, textured landscape unfolding to your right.
Late August is amazing on the Savage Alpine Trail. When the dwarf birch and willows flip to reds and golds, the mountainsides look painted — one of the most dramatic autumn displays anywhere in the park.
A small heads-up: this is a point-to-point trail between Savage River (around Mile 15 of the Park Road) and Mountain Vista (around Mile 13 of the Park Road). That means you have a few options:
Half-trail out-and-back from Savage River (my favorite, and honestly the cleanest logistics): you still get the full climb, big views, and the official distance/elevation without needing a shuttle.
Full point-to-point hike, then either shuttle back or walk the Park Road to your car.
Full trail out-and-back if you want a bigger day (just know you’re doubling the effort).
Either way you do it, Savage Alpine is the Denali “must-hike” for people who came here specifically to get into the mountains.
Savage Alpine Trail Map
Getting to Savage Alpine Trail
From the entrance of the Denali Park Road, drive 15 miles to Savage River. The Savage Alpine Trail and Savage River Trail share a trailhead. Pull into the parking lot on the right just before crossing the bridge over the Savage River. If you cross the bridge, you’ve gone too far. Take the trail heading uphill towards a large rock outcropping.
Alternatively, you can start from the Savage River Campground or Mountain Vista Picnic Area, although I recommend starting from the other side. It’s a point to point trail, so if you’re planning on doing the whole thing, you’ll either need to backtrack and double the length or leave a vehicle at each trailhead.
Make it a Tour!
Hiking in Denali on your own is beautiful; hiking with Northern Epics is meaningful. We’ll help you notice what most people walk right past—wildlife signs, edible plants and berries, glacial scars, and the living story of this place.
Similar to Savage Alpine Trail: 5-Hour Into the Mountains Hike
The Into the Mountains Hike combines jaw-dropping views, strenuous hiking, and fascinating insights about the land. As with all Northern Epics tours, you’re guided by an expert naturalist — someone who can not only navigate the trail, but paint a picture of it as you hike. Learn the similarities and differences between the boreal forest ecosystems you start in, and the sub-alpine tundra you hike into above the treeline. How the ground squirrels, marmots, and ravens live in this harsh environment, and what makes these ecosystems so unique. While we won’t be on the Savage Alpine Trail itself, the Into the Mountains Hike shares the difficulty and quality of views.
This is a challenging hike. Want something easier or off-trail? Click here