Day 1

Meet your Backroads Trip Leaders (the folks wearing Backroads T-shirts) at 10 a.m. at the 5th Avenue entrance to the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage. Please arrive dressed to ride, with your rain gear handy.

Coastal Trail Biking Route 15 Miles (200-foot elevation gain)
Shorter Option: Kincaid Park 10 Miles (200-foot elevation gain)
Shuttle to Seward 2½ Hours

Welcome to Alaska! After meeting in Anchorage we take a short walk to Elderberry Park, where your Backroads leaders fit your bike and give a brief talk on biking techniques and safety. Our journey then begins with a spin along the rolling Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. Lined with devil’s club, elderberry and spruce, the pathway lends itself to amazing photo opportunities. On a clear day, enjoy stunning views of Cook Inlet and the Alaska Range. Ride past Earthquake Park, named for the 1964 Good Friday trembler that registered 9.2 on the Richter scale and leveled most of Anchorage. Winding your way through lush forest, watch for moose, which often share the trail with bikers and walkers. Then head inland and tackle the big climb for the day en route to our lunch spot in Kincaid Park, a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, with 43 miles of trails crisscrossing 1,400 acres.

After a delicious Backroads picnic, we drive along Seward Highway, which follows the earliest routes used by native Alaskans, sled dogs and miners, and has been designated an “All-American Road” for its spectacular scenery. Our destination is the Kenai Peninsula, a wonderland of rugged mountains, glaciers, fjords and lakes.
Settle in at Seward Windsong Lodge, located in the mountain-rimmed Resurrection River Valley. The valley was named by Alexander Baranof, who took shelter here during a storm in 1791 on the Russian Sunday of the Resurrection. This evening raise a glass to the beginning of your Alaskan adventure at a welcome dinner at Ray’s restaurant, where beautiful harbor views accompany your feast.

Lodging: Seward Windsong Lodge

Day 2

Harding Icefield Hike 8 Miles (3,200-foot elevation gain)
Shorter Options: Marmot Meadows 4 Miles (1,500-foot elevation gain) or Alpine Meadows 6 Miles (2,200-foot elevation gain)

This morning, grab your daypack containing warm layers and your camera before we hop in the van for a short but breathtaking ride along the Resurrection River Valley. Following the valley’s namesake river, enjoy your first glimpse of Exit Glacier, a dramatic field of ice that “flows” down the mountain.

Arriving at Kenai Fjords National Park, you’re in for the hike of a lifetime to Harding Icefield, which spans more than 900 square miles and conceals an entire mountain range under several thousand feet of ice. The steep ascent may be one of the toughest you’ve ever attempted, but it promises to be an incredibly rewarding experience. The trail follows the edge of Exit Glacier through a dense forest that’s home to mountain goats, moose, black bears and marmots. When you reach the tree line, all obstructions disappear, exposing an expansive landscape of snow and ice. If you’re determined to hike the entire distance, or if you’re hiking in the early summer months, you’re sure to encounter snow—potentially quite a lot of it! You’ll be glad you carried those extra layers!

This evening we celebrate our feats on the trail with dinner at the hotel’s rustic Resurrection Roadhouse, where you can choose from a menu of fresh seafood and delicious steaks.

Lodging: Seward Windsong Lodge

Day 3

Shuttle to Trailhead 30 Minutes
Ptarmigan Lake Hike 7 Miles (600-foot elevation gain)
Shuttle to Cooper Landing 45 Minutes

After fueling up with breakfast, we shuttle to the trailhead for our hike to spectacular Ptarmigan Lake. The first easygoing mile follows the Ptarmigan Creek upstream through a beautiful Sitka spruce forest. During late July and August, the creek’s clear waters teem with spawning red sockeye salmon, putting on quite a show! As you veer from the creek, the trail becomes more challenging, with short but steep climbs and descents through a stands of conifers. Just when you think the view can’t get any better, you reach Ptarmigan Lake, cradled by the magnificent Chugach Mountains and reflecting a beautiful turquoise hue. Find a comfortable spot by the water and enjoy your packed lunch, keeping an eye out for moose and bald eagles.

After returning the way we came, we shuttle to our next hotel, the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge, tucked among 43 acres on the banks of the Kenai River. You’ll have time this afternoon to unwind at the hotel and perhaps treat yourself to a soak in the hot tub or a game of horseshoes before dinner. This evening enjoy classic Alaskan cuisine at the lodge’s Eagle Crest Dining Room, which features a huge river-rock fireplace and gorgeous views.

Lodging: Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge

Day 4

Shuttle to Anchor Point State Park 2½ Hours
Homer Spit Biking Route 32 Miles (1,600-foot elevation gain)
Shorter Option: Overlook Option 22 Miles with Shuttle (500-foot elevation gain)

We kick off the day with a shuttle ride along the picturesque Sterling Highway to Anchor Point State Park, situated along Cook Inlet. Weather permitting, you’ll see dramatic snow-covered volcanoes—part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions surrounding the Pacific Ocean basin. Keep an eye out for Homer’s most famous inhabitant, the bald eagle, during lunch at Halibut Campground. From here, set out on today’s lightly trafficked, rolling route, which eventually gives way to a busier, more challenging stretch. (If you’d prefer to avoid this section, the Backroads van can give you a lift.) Whether by bike or by shuttle, you’ll reach a scenic viewpoint overlooking Homer, Kachemak Bay and the Kenai Mountains. When skies are clear, it’s easy to see why Homer is considered one of Alaska’s most beautiful towns.

After taking it all in, enjoy a fast and winding descent to sea level. Along the way, visit the Bear Creek Winery, which boasts many intriguing non-grape wines. Back on your bike, continue to Homer Spit, the world’s second-longest natural spit. Our destination, Land’s End Resort, is located four miles out in Kachemak Bay and affords amazing views of the water and the Kenai Mountains. You’re on your own for dinner tonight, and your Trip Leaders are happy to recommend their favorite dining spots. Remember, Homer is the halibut capital of the world!

Lodging: Land’s End Resort

Day 5

Water Taxi to Yukon Island 1 Hour Round-Trip
All-Day Sea Kayaking

This morning we travel by water taxi across Kachemak Bay to Yukon Island, part of the U.S. Maritime Fish & Wildlife Refuge, a haven for otters, seals and a variety of nesting birds. Yukon’s vast sheltered coves and lagoons are ideal for kayaking. We spend the day circling the island, paddling among dramatic mountains, interesting rock formations and lush vegetation. Revel in your new vantage point as you cruise past temperate rain forests, protected coves and pebbled beaches, all the while watching for resident wildlife. You may even spot the volcanic Mount St. Augustine blowing off some steam on the opposite side of Cook Inlet. Midday we take a break for a delicious lunch on a secluded beach. Continue exploring the waters after lunch before we board a water taxi back to Homer.

If you’d rather spend the day halibut fishing, several companies in Homer offer half-day and full-day excursions. (Please note that fishing is not included in the trip price, and you’ll miss the kayaking excursion. We recommend making reservations in advance. For more information and a short list of outfitters, please see “During Your Trip.”)

This afternoon there’s time to explore Homer’s shops and marina. Enjoy a coffee or an ice cream and watch as Homer’s many anglers bring in the daily catch, or relax indoors and take advantage of the hotel’s hot tub. We gather this evening for a farewell dinner in the Chart Room Restaurant, with breathtaking views of the bay.

Lodging: Land’s End Resort

Day 6

Carl E. Wynn Nature Center Walk 2 Miles (100-foot elevation gain)
Shuttle to Anchorage 5 Hours

Savor the trip’s last fantastic breakfast before we shuttle the short distance to the Carl E. Wynn Nature Center. This former homestead is now a wildlife refuge, with hiking trails, great bird-watching and an undeveloped migration corridor for moose and black bears. We head out on foot with a naturalist and learn about the native uses of the trees, plants and wildflowers found here in the transitional zone between northern coastal forest and southern boreal forest. Returning to the nature center, we relish a farewell lunch while listening for the calls of migratory song birds. Then hop in the van and settle in for the long but scenic ride back to Anchorage, where the trip ends.