Jim Mahaffey Trail System

Outdoor Recreation on Campus

Jim Mahaffey Trail System

Surrounding the Alaska Pacific University campus is 175 acres of forestland, home to a wide network of trails.  It is the perfect ‘right outside your door’ opportunity for the APU community and gives the campus its rural, small-town college atmosphere.

This quiet system of neighborhood trails connects to the greater Anchorage Municipality Parks and Recreation trails.   From campus, the APU community is able to walk, bike or ski along a system of multi-use pathways connecting the city’s neighborhoods and nearby Chugach State Park to the east of town.

In the winter, APU partners with the Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage for the grooming of 5 kilometers of ski trails.  The university is also home to an exciting network of single-track mountain bike and winter fat bike trails to explore.

ETIQUETTE & RULES

  • Always use safe speeds… Please bike and ski under control. 
  • Pick up your pet’s litter. It’s the law…
  • Keep your dog on a leash
  • Respect groomed ski trails. If walking or biking please stay off soft trails to avoid making bike tire ruts and post holes.  
  • Do Not Walk, Run, Bike on set ski tracks. 
  • Bike tires and foot traffic damage muddy trails during spring break up.  Please wait until June to bike. 
  • Slower traffic has the Right-of-Way.  Bikers & Skiers yield to Walkers.  ON HILLS:
    • It is safer for a walker or biker to yield to an approaching downhill skier. Skiers have less stopping power and ability to change direction when skiing down hills.  They will appreciate it.  
    • Biking etiquette gives the biker riding uphill the right-a-way. This is so they can maintain momentum and not end up having to get off and push the bike uphill.  They will appreciate it.
  • Use voice or bell when passing… say, “on your left” when approaching from behind.
  • Horses are not allowed on APU trails.

PLEASE CONSIDER

  • Be Alert! We share our trails with wildlife (bears, moose, and coyotes). When in bear country, noisy travel is best (talking, bells, etc.) and will alert wildlife to your presence.
  • Trails are for non-motorized activities… Report any motorized activities on trails to APD at 786-8500.
  • Please call campus safety: (907) 564-8888 to report any immediate concerns or non-emergencies. 
  • Call 911 in an emergency.  An emergency phone is located in the main entrance of the Moseley Sports Center.
VIEW EQUIPMENT RENTALS & PRICES

Contact APU’s Outdoor Program’s equipment room to rent either cross country skis, skate skis or a fat tire bike. Call 907-564-8614 for more information.

Download Flyer Trail Map

Disc Golf Course

Grab your frisbee and try out our 9-hole course! Please keep in mind that the course meanders through the APU trails and buildings.  Watch out for pedestrians, wildlife, windows and vehicles.  If you lose a Frisbee on the roof of a building we cannot retrieve it for you.

APU is a dry campus.  Alcoholic, firearms, tobacco products and drugs including cannabis are prohibited! Rude, rowdy or inconsiderate players will lose Disc Golf privileges indefinitely.

Campus Safety Phone: 907-564-8888

DOWNLOAD DISC GOLF MAP