Hiking from Baranof Street trailhead to Three Sisters mountain viewpoint in Sitka Alaska

Hi there!

I actually ended up at the Baranof Street trailhead unexpectedly. It turned out to be my end point.

But it can also make for a perfect starting point when you’re coming from the Sitka cruise shuttle drop-off spot in downtown Sitka.

The Baranof Street trailhead is about a 10-15 minute walk from where you’ll be dropped off by the cruise shuttle. And yes, it’s at the end of Baranof Street.

If you just want an easy walk through the forest, you can make it a quick round trip hike, or if you want to hike more, you can hike for many more miles to come back out onto the street in another part of Sitka.

One “destination” or “goal” you can make for your hike from the Baranof Street trailhead is the Three Sisters mountain viewpoint. This isn’t an official lookout, but basically you can start walking from the Baranof Street trailhead, and then walk until you get to an opening where you can see the Three Sisters mountains right in front of you!

This will take around 45 minutes one way, so you can think of it as a 1.5 to 2 hour hike. This portion of the Sitka Cross Trail is relatively flat and it’s on a gravel trail. So if you’re looking for an easy hike to do in Sitka from the cruise ship, this is one option!

The Three Sisters mountains are prominent mountains you can see from many areas of Sitka, so it’s not exclusively seen from this trail. But if can make for a good goal and turnaround spot.

You may not see the Three Sisters mountain viewpoint if the weather isn’t great. But if you’ll be happy with an easy walk through the forest, then this is something you can do even if it’s raining. (And you can consider your turnaround point when you get out of the forest!)

 

 

If you’re interested in hiking from the Baranof Street trailhead, I highly recommend downloading the mapsme app, just in case you decide to continue hiking further than you intended!

I started hiking at the Indian River trailhead and hiked to a different Three Sisters viewpoint. And then on the way back when I saw signs for the Sitka Cross Trail I just couldn’t help myself but want to hike back in a different direction than the way I came. This is how I ended up at the Baranof Street trailhead. I had referred to the mapsme app to see how the trails connected. There are lots of trails that connect throughout Sitka.

The mapsme app is free to have up to 10 maps at a time, and “Alaska” is one map.

 

I used mapsme while hiking in Sitka, and it got me to the Baranof Street trailhead.

 

The easy spot to look for on google maps is “cruise buses” to locate the cruise shuttle drop-off which is at Harrigan Centennial Hall. Make a quick stop inside before you start on your 10-15 minute walk to the Baranof Street trailhead! (map)

 

 

At the end of Baranof Street is the trailhead to access Sitka Cross Trail. This is also a spot to start the more difficult trails of the Gavan Hill Trail and Harbor Mountain Trail.

 

 

Now I want to give you an idea of what you can see on a hike from the Baranof Street trailhead so you can decide if it’s something that you’re interested in. Starting from the Baranof Street trailhead, this is hiking towards the Indian River Trail.

I’ll also give you my timeline of how far away I was from the Baranof Street trailhead so you can get a better idea of how much time it will take to see what.

Of course, your actual time may vary based on how fast or slow you’re walking. I generally walk at a leisurely pace.

 

What you can see hiking up to 10 minutes from the Baranof Street trailhead

The hike from the Baranof Street trailhead starts off on a boardwalk, and then you’ll be hiking through the forest.

 

 

I saw a “Sitka Magnetic Observatory” sign just a short distance from the trailhead.

 

 

What exactly is it? I’m not sure, but as a US Geological Survey site, it seemed cool! 😆 But seriously, it says that it was one of the first magnetic observatories set up in the US to monitor and record the earth’s magnetic field. You can read the USGS website about the Russian history of it and about the geomagnetism program that it’s a part of.

 

This Sitka Cross Trail sign shows the way to the cemetery.

 

 

What you can see hiking up to 30 minutes from the Baranof Street trailhead

You’ll continue hiking through a forest. I saw a moss-covered tree branch!

 

This Sitka Cross Trail sign has directions to the Indian River Trail.

 

 

What you can see hiking up to 45 minutes from the Baranof Street trailhead

Next it will start to open up, and then come the views of the Three Sisters mountains!

 

 

On this October day that I did this hike in Sitka, by the time I was approaching the Baranof Street trailhead in the early afternoon, it was in the 40s. Read more about what to wear in Alaska. (It’s all about layers!) Also see about what shoes to wear hiking in Alaska. And pack some water (you can refill your water bottle on the cruise ship) and some hiking snacks in your daypack!

 

 

I did this hike to the Baranof Street trailhead during a cruise ship visit to Sitka on October 22, 2023. Your experience may vary!

For more hikes in Sitka, the National Park Service has recommendations, and there’s also the Sitka Trail Works website with a lot more.

And also, be bear aware! Know what to do in case you encounter a bear. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has tips for you.

And Sitka Trail Works says: Don’t be “bearanoid.” Learn the facts about bears and act consciously to avoid encounters – but get out and enjoy our amazing trails!

 

I also have more hikes for you to consider during your Alaska cruise: Hiking in Alaska cruise ports on your own