Ketchikan, a fishing village in southeast Alaska, offers plenty of adventure to the visitors who stop here. A walking tour is a great way to get some exercise, since much of the town is hilly. In fact, some of the roads are connected by flights of stairs, maintained as public walkways.
Walking maps may be obtained in the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau at the pier near the corner of Mission Street and Waterfront Promenade. The maps are free, and contain information about the sights and historic features along the two walking tours of the town.
Sturdy walking shoes with a good pair of socks are necessary. A hat or umbrella will protect against sudden rain showers. Tucking the map into a gallon sized, clear plastic zip top bag will keep it dry on rainy days.
West End Walking Tour of Ketchikan
The West End walking tour is two miles of steep grades and stairways. Beginning at Harbor View Park, east of the tunnel, walk west along Water Street. Make a left turn on Tongass Avenue to follow the waterfront. At the end of Tongass Avenue are phones and restrooms. Stay on Water Street to enjoy the local neighborhood. The entire tour is a loop along these two main thoroughfares.
Some of the sights to see along the West End are historic homes and buildings built in the early part of the twentieth century. This is the commercial district where canneries and flight hangers dating back to the 1920s and 1930s still exist. From the Upper Water Street Lookout is a view of the town stretching eastward and westward. The tour map describes Ketchikan as “10 miles long and three blocks wide.”
Between Tremont Way and Elliott Street, a flight of stairs leads through a grove of trees and salmonberry bushes. Bald eagles are regularly seen alighting in this grove and flying in the area. The eagles scoop up scraps from the Silver Lining Seafoods operation on the other side of Tongass Avenue.
Continuing back to Harbor View Park are local businesses, including Talbot’s and the Lutheran Church built on a rock outcropping. Amphibious planes can be seen taking off and landing at the Ellis Airlines dock and hangar.
Downtown Ketchikan Walking Tour
The Downtown Ketchikan Walking Tour begins at the Visitors Bureau and heads out under the Ketchikan Welcome Arch on Mission Street. At Whale Park, take a left onto Bawden Street to follow the Ketchikan Creek. A salmon ladder and waterfalls in the creek are an enjoyable sight. After that, Bawden Street crosses a bridge and turns into Park Avenue.
Follow Park Avenue until it turns into Salmon Street. This leads directly to the Deer Mountain Tribal Hatchery and Eagle Center. At this hatchery, they raise salmon for release into the creek, which leads into the ocean. They also have rescued eagles living in the Eagle Center. These eagles have been injured and can no longer live in the wild, affording visitors some close views of these amazing creatures.
After the hatchery, follow the walking path across another bridge to the Totem Heritage Center. Here is where visitors may learn about the history of the local totems, see local tribal artifacts, and listen to a docent interpret the works.
Other Ketchikan Sites
From the Totem Heritage Center, hikers can take a left onto Deermount Avenue. This leads to Ketchikan Lakes Road, where signs point to the Deer Mountain Trail. This is a day hiking tour that takes about 3-5 hours. Along the trail lie beautiful vistas of Ketchikan, the nearby islands, and the mountains. This hike is moderately strenuous.
Walkers may take a right onto Deermount Avenue to head back into town. Turn right at Stedman Street, which ends at Whale Park. Taking a left turn at Thomas Street off of Stedman will lead to the waterfront for a photo opportunity. After crossing the bridge across Ketchikan Creek on Stedman, walkers may choose to continue on to the Tongass Historical Museum, or turn left on the Promenade to see the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show and the Salmon Landing Market.
After the walking tours, there are plenty of shops in the heart of downtown as well as local restaurants. It’s plain to see that Ketchikan is an enjoyable stop on an Alaska vacation.
Suzanne Pitner - Suzanne Pitner is a teacher and published writer. A member of RWA and YARWA, she writes fiction as Suzanne Lilly.
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