Explore the Island's Highlights
Lush, rugged, and offering views for miles, Adak Island is a wanderer’s dream destination. With vast expanses of undeveloped land providing access to a diverse range of activities, Adak visitors can hike, camp, cycle, fish, or float their way around much of this 33-mile-long island. And the best part? Many activities are available within walking distance of Adak Island Inn and the downtown area.
NOTE: All visitors who plan on engaging in any outdoor activities in Adak need to obtain a land use permit, easily purchased here. Aleut lands are privately owned, and Aleut’s Lands Department focuses on good stewardship of Unangax̂ lands and ensures the protection of cultural and historical sites. The Land Use Permit program grants access to these Aleut ancestral lands.
Ready to explore?
Here’s our round-up of moderate activities within a few miles of Adak’s downtown area and the Adak Island Inn. Perfect for those looking for casual strolls, history buffs, and beachcombing enthusiasts, this itinerary is also great for families traveling with kids who might not have the energy or ability to hike more than a few miles in a day.
Adak Itinerary Day 1
Morning
Make breakfast in your Adak Island Inn townhouse, or make the short walk to Adak Soul restaurant, located just north of Ptarmigan Street. The only restaurant serving breakfast on the island, Adak Soul takes this responsibility seriously, serving up stick-to-your-ribs dishes like corned beef hash, a huge four-egg omelet, grits, or biscuits and gravy. Tip: Don’t forget to try a specialty coffee drink for some additional fuel for the day.
Walk off the huge breakfast with a self-guided tour of Adak’s military history. Most people who have heard of Adak know it because of the island’s military roles, from the 90,000 troops stationed there during WWII to its Cold War listening post and US Navy status until the mid-1990s. As a result, artifacts and historical structures can be observed throughout the island. A great place to begin is downtown (sites 1-4 on the walking tour map), where Kuluk Bay and Sweeper Cove bookend the main part of town, and sites like Armytown, airfield remnants, and the like can be reached on foot or by bike.
Or, if a paddle around one of Adak’s quieter waterways sounds appealing, rent a Stand-up Paddleboard from Adak Island Inn and explore Sweeper Cove near downtown, or Andrew Lake to the north. Rentals come with a board, paddle, and life jacket for hours of experiencing Adak Island in a truly unique way.
Afternoon
Hop on an e-bike, available for rent from Adak Island Inn, and take a few hours to pedal around the area north of downtown. First, stop by “Adak National Forest,” a quirky cluster of 33 pine trees at the base of a hill. One rumor about how the National Forest was established is that during WWII, General Simon Buckner thought that planting a few Christmas trees would make troops feel more connected to home while spending winters on Adak’s barren, treeless landscape. He began the tree-planting program in 1943 and while many pine trees (not a native species in this region of Alaska) did not survive, by 1945 there were enough in the ground to begin calling it, somewhat tongue in cheek, ‘Adak National Forest’.
Though it is no longer decorated each holiday season by community members, the forest still stands as a testament to home, holidays, and thoughtfulness during a very frightening time in U.S. history. Find the forest just north of downtown (or ask any local) and look for the sign saying “Adak National Forest”.
After exploring the forest, head east toward scenic Clam Lagoon, a beautiful 2.3-mile-long haven for birds of all kinds and wildlife like sea otters. Park bikes and walk across Candlestick Bridge toward Zeto Point to look for otters, or ride the western side of the lagoon and around the north edge toward Sitkin Sound, with stunning views of Adak’s signature craggy rocks.
Evening
Return to the Adak Island Inn to enjoy an early dinner before gathering up fishing gear (bring your own or rent from the Inn) and heading to Andrew Lake, a quick drive from downtown. The lingering summer evenings mean plenty of time to toss a line into the lake and hopefully catch a coho salmon, Dolly Varden, or kokanee (landlocked salmon) from the cold, clear waters.
Finally, wrap up the day with a drive up Bering Hill overlooking Adak’s city center. Home to more than 6,000 Marine personnel during its peak usage in the 1980s, Bering Hill accommodated officers, administrative personnel, and their families. The ruins of barracks and recreation facilities are still visible, but be sure to enjoy the view from the outside, as access is not at all permitted to visitors.
Don’t forget to savor the view, especially on a warm Adak evening.