Lanie Fleischer Chester Creek Trail

The feel

This is a flat, paved path eight feet wide that follows Chester Creek from Westchester Lagoon east, with grass and gravel shoulders on either side. It runs through mostly undeveloped woodland along the creek, with playgrounds and ball fields at numerous spots and Valley of the Moon Park along the way.

The trail never meets a street at grade. It passes under roads in tunnels and crosses Northern Lights Boulevard on a bridge. In summer it is used by bicyclists, skaters, runners and walkers, and in winter it is kept up for running and used for cross country skiing and ski-joring.

What to expect

Route and terrain

Point to point, paved and eight feet wide, following Chester Creek from Westchester Lagoon to Goose Lake and on to University Lake, with about 259 ft of gain. Mileposts every 1/2 mile begin at Westchester Lagoon.

Time

About 2.5 hours.

Crowds and best time

Used by bicyclists, skaters, runners and walkers in summer. Travel east is generally more strenuous because the creek flows west.

Kids

Rated easy, with only a few minor grades, and well suited to novices.

Season and access

The trail is lit by pedestrian-scale light poles and kept up for running in winter. It connects to the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail and the University of Alaska Anchorage campus.

Mingo says

Start at the lagoon and head east if you want the harder direction. Winter visitors can ski it.

Before you go

• Start at Westchester Lagoon, where the mileposts begin, and use the half-mile mileposts to track your distance.
• Decide your end point ahead of time: Goose Lake is 4.0 miles in, and University Lake is 6.1 miles in.
• Expect trail lighting from pedestrian-scale light poles if you head out late.

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