From the Camino de Santiago in Spain to the Great Himalayan Trail in Nepal, the Inca Trail in Peru to the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails in the United States, long trails have captured the interest of travelers the world over. With some of the most stunning wilderness in the world, Alaska is overdue in creating a world-class long trail of its own. Long trails engage visitors and residents in a range of activities, from simple day adventures to multi-week, bucket list lifetime accomplishments.

Alaska Trails and its partners are proposing a multi-braid trail system connecting Fairbanks and Seward. The trail system will incorporate a variety of year-round uses (motorized and nonmotorized) along different braids. Many sections of the proposed trail already exist or are currently planned, and the route is almost entirely on public lands, reducing the complexity and cost.

It’s time for Alaska to invest in its future by creating a route that will stand with the other great long trails of the world.