Seven Lakes Trail

The feel

Despite the name, the trail passes only four lakes; the rest were cut off by road construction. The trees are mostly tall, spindly black spruce, and the ground underfoot is soft. The trail is relatively flat with a few rolling hills, and it crosses native surface and boardwalk through the 2019 Swan Lake Burn to Hikers Lake and Hidden Lake.

It runs between two trailheads, Engineer Lake and Kelly Lake, so you can shuttle a car or turn around and walk back. The trail also gives access to the Kelly and Engineer public use cabins, and there are several opportunities for fishing along the way.

What to expect

Route and terrain

Point to point, 4.4 to 5.5 miles one way, with about 150 ft of gain; relatively flat with a few rolling hills on native surface and boardwalk.

Time

About 2.5 hours.

Parking

Engineer Lake trailhead is at mile 9.5 of unpaved Skilak Lake Road. Kelly Lake trailhead is at Sterling Highway mile 68.8, with a small day use and trailhead parking area.

Fees and passes

No parking fee.

Dogs

Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas.

Kids

Rated easy.

Season and access

Open year-round, but Skilak Lake Road is not plowed in winter, so the Engineer Lake trailhead is summer-only unless you ski in.

Mingo says

For a thru-hike, start at Engineer Lake so you walk toward the lakeshore. For an out and back, start and finish at Kelly Lake to spend more time along the lakeshore.

Before you go

• Reserve ahead if you want a night at the Kelly or Engineer public use cabins; reservations are required.
• Reach Engineer Lake by taking the Sterling Highway west 10 miles from Cooper Landing, then unpaved Skilak Lake Road.
• Set up a car shuttle if you want to walk it one way between the two trailheads.

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