Bradford Bartels, also known as “Rafiki,” has become the first person to thru-hike the Alaska Long Trail (ALT), a proposed 500-mile route from Seward to Fairbanks. On August 8, 2026, after 47 days, he completed the journey, proving that it’s possible to hike the entire trail.
The northern terminus of the trail is located in Pioneer Park, Fairbanks, Alaska, and when Bartels arrived, there was no ceremony or fanfare to mark his achievement. He simply took a few photos and headed to find a warm meal.
According to the report, Bartels said, “It feels like your hike ends when you should be resupplying… I was left confused: why did the adventure end, but also when am I going to eat? I felt like a dog back from a walk.”
Jane Boer, ALT program coordinator, stated, “We’ve been saying it, and people have been saying it, but he just showed that it is possible… He just did it with his feet.” This achievement demonstrates that the ALT is a viable option for hikers, despite its current unfinished state.
The ALT is still a work in progress, with Alaska Trails, a nonprofit organization, collaborating with local communities and land managers to close gaps in the route and create safer connections between existing trail systems.
Bartels, who was born in Soldotna, Alaska, views the uncertainty surrounding the trail as part of its appeal. He believes that “thru-hiking needs Alaska, and Alaska needs thru-hiking.” The trail currently consists of a patchwork of established trails, road walks, ridgelines, ATV tracks, game trails, and scrambles.
Before embarking on his journey, Bartels asked Mariyam Medovaya, former ALT program officer, if it was possible to hike the entire trail. Her response was that it was “technically doable.”
Bartels notes that the Pacific Crest Trail doesn’t exist in Alaska, and the ALT is still in its early stages. However, he’s optimistic about the trail’s potential, saying, “ALT is still super janky. But it’s a baby, and just needs some time.”
Related: Catfish Noodling: The Hardest Part Is The Photo
Making the trail less “janky” is expensive, with Alaska Trails receiving $6.7 million in funding from Alaska’s capital budget since 2023. Additionally, $20.7 million in federal appropriations has been allocated for projects along the route since 2022.
The funding approach is focused on connecting existing trails and communities, rather than creating new singletrack. For example, in Moose Pass, a separated pathway could close a gap in the long trail and provide residents with a safer way to walk or bike.
Boer hopes that the next person attempting the route won’t have to work as hard to figure out where the trail goes. Bartels, however, believes that hikers don’t need to wait for the route to be fully developed, saying, “You can hike it, and you should.”
The project’s ambitions have drawn scrutiny over what a long-distance trail through Alaska should look like, who it should serve, and how it should be managed.
As the ALT continues to develop, it’s likely that more hikers will attempt to thru-hike the trail. With its unique challenges and opportunities, the ALT is poised to become a significant destination for outdoor enthusiasts, such as those who enjoy summer operations in ski resorts.
In comparison to other long-distance trails, the ALT’s development is distinct due to its remote location and the need to connect existing trails and communities.
For now, the ALT remains a work in progress, with much work to be done to connect Seward to Fairbanks. However, with the support of hikers like Bartels and the efforts of Alaska Trails, the trail is slowly becoming a reality.
It is done.
