- Unalaska
Discover the unique charm of Unalaska as you immerse yourself in maritime history, spot wildlife, and hike scenic trails. Enjoy world-class fishing and explore the local culture by visiting historic sites and buildings.
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Unalaska Day Tours & AttractionsView All
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Historic Plaques around Unalaska
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When the United States military left Unalaska Island at the end of World War II, it also left behind buildings and equipment that would become war relics and reminders of the area’s importance during the Aleutian campaign, often called the “Forgotten War.” The buildings have deteriorated over the years and some have been torn down. But historical plaques marking the location of seven World War II points of interest were erected in 2007 to ensure...more
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Memorial Park
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Memorial Park was built in 1992in honor Coast Guard and Navy personnel that lost their lives duringWWII.
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Fort Schwatka and Battery 402
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In the 1940’s more than 100 buildings peppered the hillside here, making up U.S. Army Base Fort Schwatka and Battery 402. This coastal outpost was considered cutting edge for its time. The Battery’s position high on Ulakta Head gave lookouts astrategic view and its 8‑inch, 21-ton guns boasted arange of 22miles.
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Humpy Cove
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World War II buffs will want to check out remaining World War II defensive fortifications like elephant-steel magazines and the base-end station that overlook Summer Bay and HumpyCove.
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Captain Cook’s Landing - English Bay
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Captain James Cook saw much of Alaska’s coastline during his troubled third voyage in search of aNorthwest Passage. Prince William Sound, Prince of Wales Island, Norton Sound, and Bristol Bay are just some of the places he named during his travels. English Bay, on the eastern side of Unalaska Island, references the two landings Cook and crew made there in 1778 (just months before his death in the Hawaiian Islands).
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SS Northwestern
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The bow of the sunken SS Northwestern points to the sky in Captains Bay, afifty-foot-high symbol of Alaska’s role in World War II. The Northwestern had afascinating history even before Japanese warplanes bombed her on June 4, 1942. After transporting passengers, troops and bananas on the East Coast, she logged more than thirty years in northern waters, carrying passengers between Southeast Alaska and Seattle.
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Bunker Hill
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Difficulty: Moderate
If your travel group includes aWWII enthusiast, awildlife devotee, abirder, and akid who enjoys rolling around on the tundra, Bunker Hill is the perfect spot. Plus, it has the best photo ops, with a360-degree view of the entire area: Captains Bay, Amaknak Island, Unalaska Bay and Iliuliuk Harbor.
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Holy Ascension Russian Orthodox Church
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The striking Holy Ascension Russian Orthodox Church – with its red-shingled roofs and green onion domes – has become an integral part of the Unalaska skyline over the last century. It is both an oddity (architecturally different than anything else in the Aleutians) and asymbol of Russian influence on Aleut culture and religion.
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Unalaska Parks & TrailsView All
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Difficulty: Moderate
If your travel group includes aWWII enthusiast, awildlife devotee, abirder, and akid who enjoys rolling around on the tundra, Bunker Hill is the perfect spot. Plus, it has the best photo ops, with a360-degree view of the entire area: Captains Bay, Amaknak Island, Unalaska Bay and Iliuliuk Harbor.
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Peace of Mind Trail
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Difficulty: ModerateDistance: 3 miles
Beaver Inlet, on the other side of Unalaska Island, was an historic portage for the native Unangan people who lived in the village of Biorka just across on Sedanka Island. You can only get there by boat or by foot, but the pristine views away from the more populated areas of Unalaska are worth the effort. One popular and accessible route is the Peace of Mind Trail, athree-mile round-trip trek that showcases arange of topography andwinds...more
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Pyramid Valley Trail
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The 2,300-foot Pyramid Peak is surrounded by Pyramid Valley, Captains Bay and miles of popular hiking trails, including acircuit around the peak. This location is for the birder who wants to get out of the city and industrial areas of town to listen for birdsong while sitting among the wildflowers or berries of the Aleutian tundra.
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Mt. Ballyhoo South Face Trail
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Difficulty: ModerateDistance: 2 milesElevation Gain: 1634 feet
Mt. Ballyhoo is alure for hikers wanting amoderate climb and an outstanding vista. Both the airport and city dock are located right at its base, so the south face of Ballyhoo is the first thing you’ll notice when you get here. Its 1,634-foot-peak is the highest point on Amaknak Island, with apanoramic view that helps orient you to Unalaska/Dutch Harbor geography.
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Mount Ballyhoo
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Difficulty: Moderate
Adrive or walk up Mt. Ballyhoo is interesting for both birders and those interested in World War II history. It’s such as good view that you might even catch sight of whales in the distance. The view from the 1,634-foot mountain gives you an idea of how birds might see the area (that is, if you can imagine the view with alot more color and super-sharp clarity)
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Strawberry Hill Trail
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Difficulty: EasyDistance: 1 mileElevation Gain: 700 feet
The mild stroll around Strawberry Hill offers great views, wildlife and some historic flavor. Old military roads cover the area, providing easy walking. Adventurers can bushwhack or scramble short distances for better views of the surrounding area or get up close to WWII-era trenches and the remains of old bunkers.
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Ulakta Head and Fort Schwatka Trail
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Difficulty: ModerateElevation Gain: 800 feet
Ahike to the windy, northernmost point of Amaknak Island provides agood uphill workout, apeek into World War II history, and abreathtaking panoramic vista of the Bering Sea and the islands around you.
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Ugadaga Bay Trail
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Difficulty: EasyDistance: 4 miles
For thousands of years, being able to survive in the Aleutians has depended on the ability to use what the land and sea provide. The rugged, remote and stunning landscape continues to inspire – and challenge – locals and visitors alike. Understanding this primal connection with the land is best done by exploring on foot. Hiking the Ugadaga Trail – reportedly in use for more than 9,000years – allows the imagination to wander, and wonder,about...more
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Little South America
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Difficulty: Easy
Take in many dimensions of Unalaska in just an hour on a2‑mile hike around aspot called “Little South America.” Watch boats in the harbor, look for whales, spot birds (including puffins nesting in the cliffs), walk the beaches, search tidepools, and talk with locals who are also hiking or enjoying abeach party.
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Agamgik Trail
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Difficulty: ModerateDistance: 4 miles
The Agamgik Bay trek is abit longer than the others, has some difficult spots not easy for the very young or the very old, and offers access to an even longer hike over to English Bay, where Captain Cook arrived in 1778. As alonger, more difficult trail, it is also less frequented, abonus for those who yearn for amore solitary journey.
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Dutch Harbor Spit Head
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Difficulty: EasyDistance: 1 mile
Jutting half amile into the center of Unalaska Bay, the Dutch Harbor Spit offers ashort, sea-level hike for all ages, with beach access, wildlife viewing and birding. The trail follows an old roadbed, which makes for an ideal hiking surface. You’ll want to stop frequently with aready camera for close-up views of marine mammals on either side of thespit.
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