The best walks and hikes around Primrose

Despite the name, this is the northern access route for reaching Lost Lake. It's steeper than the southern route, so many thru-hikers prefer to start on this side, get the steep ascent out of the way, then enjoy a (somewhat) mellower descent on the other side.

Despite the difference in name, this is the northern access point for Lost Lake. This side is steeper than the southern route, so for many it's a hike-a-bike after a certain point.

This first section of trail is never very far from the cold, rushing waters of Ptarmigan Creek, although in most places the shoreline is so brushy that it's difficult to access the water. Nonetheless there are a few access points, and this stretch of trail can be particularly popular with fishermen — and bears.

Alaska has a lot of lakes you can hike to, but on a sunny day they don't get much prettier than the shining blue-green waters of Ptarmigan Lake. Technically the trail continues along the northeast short of the lake, but that section of trail is so overgrown and grassy that very few people hike it. There are a few primitive campsites scattered near this end of the lake; they are first-come, first-serve with no fee. Bear encounters are common here, especially when fish are running in the creek. Regardless of whether you are day hiking or backpacking, please practice careful "bear etiquette" and know what to do if you have an encounter.

Signage and names around this trail can be a little confusing; the trailhead sign says Ptarmigan Lake, but the trail you're actually starting on is officially known as the Ptarmigan Creek Trail. The Ptarmigan Lake trail comes later, once you've actually reached the lake — and is often so overgrown that most people skip it. However, regardless of what the sign says, you're on the right track for the hike to Ptarmigan Lake. The campground this trail starts in also makes a fine place for an overnight stay, either before or after your hike — or some people pack a tent and camp in the primitive campsites scattered near the lake itself.

This stretch of trail around Bear Lake is part of the Iditarod National Historic Trail. It's not part of the Iditarod race today, but it was a part of the original dog-sled run to carry life-saving diptheria serum from Seward to Nome. Most people just enjoy walking this section of trail along the lake, but if you want to you could keep hiking north to a small access point at mile 12 of the Seward Highway. Please be aware that this lake comes by its name honestly. It is a very "beary" place, so you should be bear-aware at all times and know how to handle an encounter, should you have one. The trail can also be quite muddy, with stream crossings and/or washouts along its length. Waterproof boots, a good attitude, and some decision-making about when or whether to turn around are all recommended.

Although technically this is the Primrose trailhead, you might sometimes see it referred to simply as the "north" trailhead. Most riders travel from south to north here, because the uphill is much more rideable from the south side. However you could turn this into a round trip; set up a car shuttle between this trailhead and the Lost Lake trailhead, at the south end of the trail; or turn the whole thing into a giant loop by splitting off onto the Meridian Lake trail.

Most bikers ride this trail south to north, due to a more rideable ascent in that direction. However, if you've bucked that trend you'll still encounter Lost Lake as a beautiful, frosty-blue giant inlaid in the tundra. You can follow a trail down to a slender finger of lake that juts into the lake, or continue around the edge of the lake toward the Lost Lake trailhead. Technically, the lake is also the point where two trails — the Lost Lake Trail, which starts near Seward, and the Primrose Trail, which starts farther north — come together. However, in everyday use, people often ride both trails together and so may refer to the entire trail as "Lost Lake," while the trailheads are referred to as Lost Lake (southern trailhead) and Primrose (northern trailhead).