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Canada🇨🇦 | hikesChilkoot TrailKlondike gold rush route, Golden Stairs boulder climb, permit quota, Dyea to Bennett | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Chilkoot Trail
👍 Recommendedhike ranked #7
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Chilkoot Trail has a permit quota, and the Canadian side limits you to 50 hikers a day, so spots can vanish months ahead. The 53-kilometer route runs in the north of Canada, from Dyea, Alaska, over Chilkoot Pass into British Columbia and on to Bennett, with Skagway as the town you start from. It follows the Klondike gold rush route: rusted stoves, boots and cable still lie in the moss. A Skagway shuttle driver told me, “Don’t touch the boots, just look,” and the whole van nodded. The Scales boulder climb is steep and loose, the rain-soaked rainforest smells of wet cedar, and the train out of Bennett is easy. Public transport is limited, but shuttles run. Best for history lovers and fit, organized hikers; skip it if you hate planning or rain.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Canada Travel Guide.
Best time to go: May - September
Duration: 4 days
Distance: 53 kilometers
Total ascent: 1100 meters


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #7 hike in CanadaReasons people choose to hike the here

Chilkoot Trail packs a gold rush museum into a mountain crossing, and that is the main draw. You walk past Sheep Camp and the scattered 1898 relics, then scramble up the Golden Stairs to a pass where stampeders once hauled a ton of supplies. The terrain changes fast: coastal rainforest, alpine boulders, then pine and glacial lakes.

It also fits neatly into a longer northern route. Skagway links by ferry and road to Whitehorse and the Alaska Highway, and the White Pass and Yukon Route train carries hikers back from Bennett, so you never double back. Distance is fixed, but camps are spaced so you can choose a faster or slower pace over 3 to 5 days.

💡 HighlightsEssential experiences to have while hiking the Chilkoot Trail

  1. Chilkoot Pass and the Golden Stairs: The famous climb, a steep boulder scramble where stampeders queued in the snow. The summit marks the border and the best views of the trip.
  2. Dyea Townsite: Little remains of the boomtown beyond pilings, but the trailhead sits among old cottonwoods and tidal flats.
  3. Sheep Camp: The last camp before the climb, with a ranger station and talks about conditions on the pass.
  4. The Scales: A flat spot below the summit where packers reweighed loads, now littered with rusted tools and cable.
  5. Bennett Lake and Bennett Church: The finish, where gold seekers built boats. The 1899 church still stands beside the railway stop.
Chilkoot Trail’s highlights pair well in one day when you hike from Sheep Camp over the Golden Stairs, then rest at The Scales.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Chilkoot Trail

Historic Gold Rush Scenic Drive

Historic Gold Rush Scenic Drive

4.6(12) 2h 15m
From €86
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

  • Late June to early July: Snow still lingers on the pass, and the trail opens for the season in early June, with Parks Canada limiting permits. Days run 17 to 19 hours long, with highs of 10 to 18°C (50 to 64°F).
  • Mid July to mid August: Warmest and busiest, with highs of 15 to 22°C (59 to 72°F), though rain can arrive any day. Permits for peak weekends sell out months ahead.
  • Late August to mid September: Fewer hikers, cooler nights near freezing, and golden tundra color on the upper trail. Daylight shrinks to 12 to 14 hours.
  • October to May: Snow and avalanche risk close the route to standard backpacking, and the campgrounds and shelters are not staffed.
Book permits in January or February when reservations open, and aim for a midweek start to find quieter camps.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: below average for travelingFEBFebruary: below average for travelingMARMarch: below average for travelingAPRApril: below average for travelingMAYMay: good for travelingJUNJune: highly recommended for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: good for travelingOCTOctober: below average for travelingNOVNovember: below average for travelingDECDecember: below average for traveling
canada-hike-chilkoot-trail
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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option.

Best hostels in Canada


Best quality hotels in Canada

🥾 Hike detailsRoute, distance, and difficulty explained

Total Distance: Chilkoot Trail is about 53 kilometers from Dyea to Bennett.
Duration: 3 to 5 days, with most hikers taking 4.
Difficulty: Challenging, with a steep boulder climb, mud and river crossings. Weather shifts quickly.
Starting Point: Dyea, about 14 kilometers from Skagway. Shuttles and taxis run from town, and the finish at Bennett connects to the train.
Major Landmarks:
  • Finnegan’s Point: Early camp on the rainforest floor.
  • Sheep Camp: Last stop before the pass.
  • Chilkoot Pass: The summit crossing.
  • Lindeman and Bennett Lakes: The calm finish.
Terrain and Scenery: Rivers, moraines, glacial cirques,
… read more 👉
Total Distance: Chilkoot Trail is about 53 kilometers from Dyea to Bennett.
Duration: 3 to 5 days, with most hikers taking 4.
Difficulty: Challenging, with a steep boulder climb, mud and river crossings. Weather shifts quickly.
Starting Point: Dyea, about 14 kilometers from Skagway. Shuttles and taxis run from town, and the finish at Bennett connects to the train.
Major Landmarks:
  • Finnegan’s Point: Early camp on the rainforest floor.
  • Sheep Camp: Last stop before the pass.
  • Chilkoot Pass: The summit crossing.
  • Lindeman and Bennett Lakes: The calm finish.
Terrain and Scenery: Rivers, moraines, glacial cirques, then open alpine and lake shores. Expect snow patches into summer.
Vegetation: Hemlock and spruce rainforest, then bare alpine rock, then lodgepole pine.
Wildlife: Black and brown bears, marmots, mountain goats and ptarmigan. Store food in the provided lockers.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

Chilkoot Trail is a well-managed route, but the weather near Chilkoot Pass can turn cold, wet and foggy within an hour, even in July. Carry a proper rain shell, warm layers and gloves. The scree and boulder climb to the pass (the Scales to the summit) is steep, so go early, pace yourself and watch for snow patches that hide holes. Streams are crossed by bridges, though high water can flood low sections. Black and grizzly bears live here. Store all food and garbage in the provided lockers or bear poles, cook away from your tent and make noise in thick brush. Boil or filter water. Many first-timers underestimate the 53 km (33 miles) and blister badly, so break in your boots and pack tape.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Most backpackers take 3 to 5 days to hike the Chilkoot Trail's 53 km (33 miles) from Dyea, Alaska, to Bennett, British Columbia. Four days is the common pace, with camps such as Sheep Camp, Happy Camp and Lindeman City. Fast, fit hikers can finish in 3 days, while 5 days allows side trips to historic sites. A train from Bennett back to Fraser takes about 1 hour.
The Chilkoot Trail is moderate to strenuous, mainly because of the climb over Chilkoot Pass, which rises from sea level to about 1,000 m (3,300 ft). The boulder scramble up the pass is the hardest part, taking 3 to 5 hours from Sheep Camp. The rest is mostly forest and lake shore with steady grades. Expect a pack of 12 to 18 kg (26 to 40 lb) and unpredictable weather.
No guide is needed on the Chilkoot Trail, but a permit is required and limited in number. Parks Canada permits cost roughly US$55 to 60 per adult plus a reservation fee of about US$15, and are booked online starting in winter. Hikers must also carry a US or Canadian passport for customs at the end, with the border check done at Fraser or on arrival in Canada. Camping is only allowed at designated sites.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Canadian hikes near Chilkoot Trail

Explore more nearby:

  • Berg Lake Trail—Mount Robson, Kinney Lake turquoise, Valley of a Thousand Falls, calving glacier| 1226 km away
  • Skyline Trail (Jasper)—The Notch, alpine ridgelines, Shovel Passes, Jasper backcountry| 1327 km away
  • West Coast Trail—Wooden ladders, Tsusiat Falls, Nitinat ferry, Owen Point caves| 1379 km away

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We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Chilkoot Trail trips go wrong when hikers treat the pass as a one-day sprint and arrive at the Scales in bad weather. I would book the middle days with a buffer, start the climb early, and carry a real rain shell.

✈️ When did I visit Canada?
As part of my 1.5 year travel around the world trip, I visited Canada in 2016.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Canada, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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