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HDF Trails

Since the HDF was established, many dedicated volunteers have advocated for and diligently worked toward making the area more accessible, enjoyable and educational for visitors. Volunteers such as Dave Brann, a long-time Homer resident and retired Homer High School teacher, have sweated out countless hours developing, maintaining and improving the hiking, skiing and interpretative trails of the HDF.
To date, several trail development and hardening methods have been attempted. In particularly sensitive areas (such as along the Diamond Creek riverbank) extensive boardwalks have been built. Several lowland trail stretches have been hardened by laying down typar, covering it with wood chips made from beetle-killed spruce trees, and using culverts to facilitate water transport. Many areas have been protected by the installation of elevated planks that allow for the crossing of wetlands.
The past two summers the HSWCD in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service   have installed a 2,500 ft boardwalk along the Summer Trail.   This project has greatly improved the summer trail, featuring a pleasant 5 km loop from the Rodgers Loop trail head.  This hike will lead you through the muskeg, then upward along Diamond Creek into a meadow offering magnificent views of Kachemak Bay.  After crossing the meadow the trail meanders back down along the forest on east side of the HDF and merges with the trail leading back to the trailhead.   This trail offers a wonderful hike just minutes from town, check it out!   Coming Soon!   Download the HDF Self-guided nature trail brochure!

HDF trail with chips from beetle-killed spruce.