The Chilkoot Trail is a 33-mile (53 km) mountain route from Dyea, Alaska, to Bennett, British Columbia, that became the most direct and cheapest overland route into the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896–1899. The nearby White Pass route from Skagway was slightly longer but gentler, and a railway built along White Pass made the Chilkoot obsolete in 1899 [1].
| Length | About 33 miles (53 km) |
|---|---|
| Route | Dyea, Alaska to Bennett, British Columbia |
| Summit | Chilkoot Pass, about 3,525 ft (1,067 m) |
| Gold rush use | 1896–1899 |
| US portion designated | National Historic Landmark, 1978 |
| Alaskan section | Chilkoot National Historic Trail, 2022 (16.5 miles) |
The Route
The trail crosses the Coast Mountains for about 33 miles. Chilkoot Pass lies at about 3,525 feet on the Canada–United States border [1].
Use in the Klondike Gold Rush
From 1896 to 1899 the trail was a main route into the Yukon interior, the most direct and cheapest overland option [1]. Tens of thousands of new residents came to Alaska during the Klondike rush of 1897–1898 [2].
The Golden Stairs
The steep final climb to the pass was called the Golden Stairs because prospectors cut steps into the snow and ice [1].
The Ton of Goods
Canada’s North-West Mounted Police, now the RCMP, required each prospector to bring roughly one ton of supplies to enter Canada [1], so many travelers made repeated trips up the pass carrying their loads.
White Pass
White Pass was a rival route from Skagway that was slightly longer but gentler and less steep. Skagway’s deepwater harbor made it the main port for both routes. A railway built along White Pass made the Chilkoot obsolete in 1899 [1].
Heritage Designations
The Canadian portion became the Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site in 1987. The U.S. portion was named a National Historic Landmark in 1978, and the 16.5-mile Alaskan section was designated the Chilkoot National Historic Trail in 2022 [1].
Related Entries
See the entries on gold mining in Alaska, the Nome Gold Rush, tourism in Alaska and the Territory of Alaska.
FAQs
How long is the Chilkoot Trail? About 33 miles (53 km).
Where does it start and end? Dyea, Alaska, to Bennett, British Columbia.
What were the Golden Stairs? The steep final climb, with steps cut into snow and ice.
Why did miners need a ton of supplies? The North-West Mounted Police required roughly one ton per prospector to enter Canada.
What replaced the trail? A White Pass railway made it obsolete in 1899.
Sources
More in History
Key facts
Quick checkWhat was the name of the steep final climb on the Chilkoot Trail?Show answer
The Golden Stairs
Sources
- Wikipedia. Chilkoot Trail. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-12)
- EBSCO Research Starters. Alaska statehood. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-12)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 12, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue