TRIP ONE.
DENALI HIGHWAY
7 to 10 Days: Denali Hwy - Valdez - Whittier - Anchorage
The 134-mile-long Denali Highway is a very scenic and remote mostly gravel road that links the Parks Highway to the Richardson Hwy. From Anchorage you can either ride your bike north through Wasilla or take a bus or train to Talkeetna or Denali Park and then bike to Cantwell where the Denali highway starts.
The first 3 miles from Cantwell are paved. The next 110 miles are gravel. The last 21 miles to Cantwell and the Richardson are paved. There is no cell phone service in the gravel section. You can pitch your tent and camp just about anywhere along "Route 8."
The first official campground (Brushkana Creek) with potable water, toilets, and picnic tables is 29 miles in. There is an $8 fee.
The next campground (Gracious House) is another 23 miles.
Ninety-two miles from Cantwell are two lodges www.maclarenlodge.com and www.dogsleddenali.com. Next up, Maclaren Summit (elev. 4,086') followed by www.tangleriverinn.com and 20 miles later Paxson. After you turn south on the Richardson Hwy., it's 71 miles to Glen Allen. From there it's another 119 miles to Valdez. There are many lodges/cabins and campgrounds along the way. After arriving in Valdez take the Alaska Marine Hwy. to Whittier.
In order to get through the 2.5 mile-long tunnel from Whittier to Portage, you will have to make friends with someone in the staging area so you can ride with them while your bike is in the back of their pickup or RV. When you reach the other side you will ride about seven miles to the Seward Hwy. We suggest over-nighting in Girdwood at the Alaska Backpackers. (Picture shown above.)
Before leaving Girdwood, in the morning, hike to the top of Mt. Alyeska and take the tram back down for free. A fantastic 7-mile-long bike path above the Seward Hwy. runs from the Chugach Ranger Station to Indian. You finish your ride by biking on Hwy. 1 up Turnagain Arm to Anchorage.
Here's a sample:
"The Mighty One"
No I am not referring to the massive vessel on the backdrop, I am talking about my bicycle giving a respectable challenge to the ship. BTW I rented my bicycle from Downtown Bike Rentals
TRIP TWO.
SEWARD HIGHWAY
Half Day Trip From Girdwood to Anchorage or 3 - 4 Day-Trip From Seward to Anchorage.
Description: Take train or bus from Anchorage to Girdwood, then bike back to Anchorage with the aid of the wind along scenic Turnagain Arm. A 10' wide 14-mile-paved trail parallel and buffered from the road is a memorable place to ride a bike.
Terrain: Flat/Sea level. Highest point - 68'.
Distance: 42 Miles
How to do it:
a) Alaska Railroad. Anchorage to Girdwood - $59. (+20 for bike.)
b) Bus. Seward Bus Line - Anchorage to Girdwood - $30. Depart 2:30. Arrive Girdwood - 3:30.
c) Homer Stage Line
Where to Sleep: Girdwood - www.hostelgirdwood.com ($25 dorm/private rooms $50).
3- 5 Day Trip - Seward to Hope, Girdwood, Anchorage.
Description: Take the train or the bus from Anchorage to Seward then bike back to Anchorage (3-5) days with stops in Hope for rafting and Girdwood for hiking. Before leaving Seward, take a glacier cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park with Major Marine Tours.
Distances/Days:Seward - Hope: 75 miles - First day. Hope - Girdwood: 56 miles - Second day. Girdwood - Anchorage: 42 miles - Third day. Total distance: 173 miles.
Terrain: A mile-by-mile rundown of the trip is on the Milepost website.
Where to Sleep: Hope - Discovery Cabins. Girdwood - www.hostelgirdwood.com ($25 dorm/private rooms $50). Anchorage - Alaska Backpackers
How to do it: From Anchorage it costs $75 plus $20 for your bike to take the Alaska Railroad to Seward. The train leaves at 6:45 a.m. After a quick stop in Girdwood, the train arrives in Seward at 11:05 am
www.alaskarailroad.com
There are three bus lines between Anchorage and Seward. They are:
a)www.alaskacoach.com Departs 3 pm. Arrives Seward at 7 pm. Cost - 65. "Seward Express" http://www.alaskacoach.com/schedule.html#rates
$65/$55 (Express)
b) Bus. Seward Bus Line - Anchorage to Girdwood (Gas Station/Intersection Alyeska Hwy) - $30.
Depart 2:30. Arrive Girdwood - 3:30
Arrive Seward - 5 pm. - $50 (+20).
www.sewardbuslines.net
Depart Anchorage 3:00pm Arrive Seward 6:00pm
7:00am 10:00am
Seward Bus Line
: Departs Anchorage 2:30 pm, arrives Seward 5:30 pm. $50 one way.
Homer Stage Line. Departs Anchorage 9 am. Arrives Seward at noon - $61. (+$18 bike).
Departs Anchorage
412 W. 53rd & Arctic 900am
Seward Chamber of Commerce 1200pm
Anchorage to Seward $60
2)
http://www.whittiershuttle.com/prices.htm $32 per person 1:00PM-1:45PM - pick up time,
arrival to Whittier at 4:45PM
Train. From Anchorage it costs $75 plus $20 for your bike to take the Alaska Railroad to Seward. The train leaves Anchorage at 6:45 a.m. 45-miles later it stops in Girdwood at 8:05 am.
http://www.alaskarailroad.comhttp://www.alaskarailroad.com/Schedules/CoastalClassic/tabid/100/Default.aspx
Turnagain Arm ice flows in March
Backpackers Hostel - Girdwood