Geist Road / Chena Pump Road Path

The feel

This is a paved commuter path along Geist Road that connects to the Johansen Expressway path and continues onto Chena Pump Road toward Chena Ridge. The riding is mostly flat and road-adjacent rather than scenic.

Geist Road meets University Avenue in College, near the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus, where the Johansen Expressway begins. That expressway is 4.2 miles long and ends at the Steese Expressway.

What to expect

Route and terrain

Paved, mostly flat path beside the road, about 4.6 mi on Chena Pump Road plus the Geist Road segment to the Parks Highway. Rated beginner.

Season and access

Open year-round and plowed in winter.

Mingo says

Ride it in any season, since it is plowed in winter. Treat it as a flat commuter link, not a scenic outing.

Before you go

• Plan to connect to the Johansen Expressway path at the Geist Road end.
• Start near University Avenue in College, by the UAF campus.
• Allow for the Geist Road segment to the Parks Highway on top of the 4.6 mi along Chena Pump Road.

Written October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.