The White Pass & Yukon Route has reopened for the Summer season and gives its passengers a unique glimpse of North America. Discover the International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark and what is considered one of the most beautiful train journeys of the continent.
The history of the White Pass & Yukon Route dates back to 1898. During the Klondike Gold Rush, the 177-kilometre narrow-gauge route heading from Skagway in Alaska through British Columbia to Canada’s Yukon Territory was built by no less than 35,000 workers, through rugged and hard-to-reach terrain.
“Building the one hundred and ten miles of track was a challenge in every way. Construction required cliff-hanging turns of 16 degrees, building two tunnels and numerous bridges and trestles. Work on the tunnel at Mile 16 took place in the dead of winter, with heavy snow and temperatures as low as 60 below slowing the work. The workers reached the Summit of White Pass on February 20, 1899, and by July 6, 1899, construction reached Lake Bennett and the beginning of the river and lakes route,” the White Pass & Yukon Route explains on its website.
In 2026, the railway was not just recognised as an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark; it was also named as one of North America’s most beautiful train journeys in an eye-tracking study by travel insurance company InsureandGo. And, luckily for those who will be visiting North America over the coming months and are still looking for a unique experience, the White Pass & Yukon Route has reopened for the Summer season.
Travellers who are looking to embark on the journey can do so through several different experiences. The most popular is the so-called White Pass Summit Excursion, which starts in Skagway and takes passengers to the White Pass Summit, located at an elevation of 2,888 feet (880 metres). The entire round trip spans over 40 miles (64 kilometres), costs $155 (€135) per person and takes approximately 2.5 hours. Journeys are available until 7 October 2026.
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“Relax in vintage passenger coaches as you retrace the original route to the White Pass Summit, passing Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point and Dead Horse Gulch. Enjoy a breathtaking panorama of mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels, trestles and historic sites. See the original Klondike Trail of ‘98 worn into the rocks, a permanent tribute to the thousands of souls who passed this way in search of fortune,” the White Pass & Yukon Route writes.
At the time of writing, the longest available train journey on the White Pass & Yukon Route is the Bennett Scenic Journey, taking travellers from Skagway all the way to Carcross. The 120 miles (193 kilometres) round trip takes eight hours to complete and includes a 45-minute layover in scenic Bennett, a town only accessible via the White Pass train or by hiking the famous Chilkoot Trail. The trip is bookable until 12 September 2026 and costs $289 (€253) per person.
Other routes, including one-way trips and hiker services, can be found through the White Pass & Yukon Route.
