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United States

Alaska

Fairbanks North Star Borough

College

Ballaine Lake – Large Animal Research Station loop from University of Alaska Fairbanks

Routes

Running trails & routes

United States

Alaska

Fairbanks North Star Borough

College

Ballaine Lake – Large Animal Research Station loop from University of Alaska Fairbanks

Hard

4.7

(4344)

18,445

runners

Ballaine Lake – Large Animal Research Station loop from University of Alaska Fairbanks

04:19

36.1km

800m

Running

Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: April 2, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

2.15 km

Ballaine Lake

Highlight • Lake

The University of Alaska Fairbanks' slogan is 'Naturally Inspiring' and they take great pride in the trail system near the university. Ballaine Lake is just one of the lakes that can be explored on this network of pathways. There are many potential loops and routes in the surrounding area.

Tip by

7.82 km

Large Animal Research Station

Highlight • Structure

It's the mission of the R.G. White Large Animal Rsearch Station to support research, learning and outreach when it comes to Alaskan animals. The 130-acre (52 ha) site is home to reindeer and muskoxen, the first of which arrived here in 1964 after the former homestead was handed over to the university the year before.

Tip by

16.0 km

Inner and Outer Loop trails (Happy Valley Trails)

Highlight • Trail

There are two main trail loops here: the Inner Loop and the Outer Loop, which are arranged just as their names imply. Both are fun, swooping single-track with enjoyable features like banked turns, but no bike-specific obstacles.

That makes this trail system popular with hikers and runners too, but as long as all trail users keep an eye out for each other, there should be no problem avoiding conflicts.

Tip by

20.1 km

Ester Dome

Highlight • Summit

Ester Dome is one of the most prominent land features in this green, rolling landscape. If you're lucky, on a clear day you can see Denali some 200 miles to the south.

Tip by

29.2 km

Gold Hill

Highlight • Summit

34.8 km

Georgeson Botanical Garden

Highlight • Natural

At this point you're passing the University of Fairbanks Alaska Georgeson Botanical Garden to the north of the road. If you like plants, it's well worth a stop near the beginning or end of your run, although it's only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. There is a requested donation to enter: georgesonbotanicalgarden.org/visit

Tip by

36.1 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

15.6 km

12.2 km

3.96 km

2.87 km

1.47 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

17.4 km

10.4 km

5.55 km

1.47 km

843 m

426 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Wednesday 27 May

16°C

3°C

20 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 14.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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Ballaine Lake – Large Animal Research Station loop from University of Alaska Fairbanks

Ballaine Lake

Large Animal Research Station

Inner and Outer Loop trails (Happy Valley Trails)

Ester Dome

Gold Hill

Georgeson Botanical Garden

Nearby routes

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