Alaska.com: Alaska's Travel Website

Anchorage's paved paths make riding pleasant, but sometimes you just want to get a little dirty. Anchorage and Southcentral Alaska are blessed with miles upon miles of off-road riding. So grab a mountain bike and try these spots:

• KINCAID PARK: The park's trails have been developed as a world-class cross-country skiing system. It pays off for mountain bikers during summer months. More than 35 miles of trails wind through the thick woods. Since it's a skiing area, follow the green (easiest), blue (more difficult) and black (most difficult) trails that fit your skills. Reach the park from Raspberry Road.

• FAR NORTH BICENTENNIAL PARK / HILLSIDE PARK: On the opposite side of town from Kincaid Park, these cross-country skiing trails are in the Chugach Mountain foothills. There are dozens of miles of trails available for cyclists. The challenging Spencer Loop parallels Campbell Creek and then climbs a ridge to an overlook of the city and the Alaska Range. The trails can be accessed from Abbott Road and Basher Drive off Tudor Road.

• POWERLINE PASS: The trail takes riders into the heart of Chugach State Park. It's 11 miles from the Glen Alps trail head parking lot to Indian. The ride starts at about 2,000 feet of elevation, climbs to 3,500 feet and then descends to nearly sea level. The trail is accessible from the Glen Alps trail head parking lot. To get there, head up O'Malley Road, and follow the park signs.

• JOHNSON PASS TRAIL: The Johnson Pass Trail is part of the original Iditarod Trail. The 21-mile single-track trail is challenging but not too difficult. Reach the trail from the Granite Creek trail head (Mile 63.8 Seward Highway) and the Upper Trail Lake trail head (Mile 32.7 Seward Highway).

• RESURRECTION PASS TRAIL: It is one of the truly inspiring rides on the Kenai Peninsula. The mostly single-track trail is more than 38 miles from Hope to the Sterling Highway near Cooper Landing.