The End of The Trail

In order to reach the end of the trail, which is at Bennett in British Columbia you will have to hike another 11.2 km (7 mi.) after you leave the Lindeman Lake Campsite. This will take about four or five hours. From Bennett, there are a couple of alternatives you can take to reach the Alaska Highway or Whitehorse. You can canoe down Lake Bennett, and the Yukon River to Whitehorse. Or you can take the passenger boat that will take you to Carcross, where Alaskon Express (Gray Line) buses pick up hikers and continues onto Whitehorse or Skagway. Another interesting trip is to take the Chilkoot Hikers rail shuttle from Lake Bennett to Fraser, and onto Skagway via the White Pass or you can hike out to the Alaska Highway.

Essential Information

This hike is long and strenuous. It will take anywhere from three to five days to complete. Do not miscalculate the hardships you might encounter on the trail or the stamina you will need to complete the hike. It’s best to hike from Dyea, Alaska to Bennett, British Columbia and have the wind and weather at your back as it is easier to climb up the Golden Stairs, than to climb down. This section from the Scales to the summit is steep and even seasoned hikers can be intimidated.

You should go in self-sufficient and be prepared to backpack about 20 kg (45 lbs.) of gear which should include waterproof and warm clothing and footwear, as bad weather can hit anytime and hypothermia can happen. Included in your camping gear should be a camp stove and fuel, as open fires are not allowed on the trail. All along the trail you will find items that were discarded by the prospectors as they made their way up and down the Chilkoot Pass, do not touch or remove them. The law protects each and every piece of gold rush artifacts that you might spot on your hike.

To provide information and assistance to hikers and to also protect the historical features and natural elements, there are park wardens and rangers at Skagway, Dyea, Sheep Camp, Lindeman Camp and along the trail. This is not a wilderness trail, and you will be sharing it with many other hikers, so wilderness hiking courteous and common sense should be practiced at all times.

Hikers making their way south to north, must pre-clear Canadian Customs. Report in person or by phone to Canada Customs and Canada Immigration Centre at Fraser, B.C. the phone number is (403) 821-4111 or call Whitehorse toll free at 1-800-665-8100. If hiking from north to south, you are required to report to U.S. Customs at Skagway.

For more information on the Chilkoot Trail contact

Parks Canada
Yukon National Historic Site
Room 205 - 300 Main Street
Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2B5
Telephone (403) 667-3910
Fax: (403) 393-6701
     or
Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park
Box 517
Skagway Alaska 99840
Telephone: (907) 983-2921