
Alaska Multisport
Alaska’s vibrant frontier spirit and overwhelming natural grandeur have the power to consume the senses. And the Kenai Peninsula is often said to encapsulate the best of Alaska. Here colossal mountains, sparkling glaciers, abundant wildlife, expansive tundra and wildflower-filled meadows all challenge your sense of scale. Hike through the Chugach National Forest, pedal beneath glacier-carved peaks on the Kenai Peninsula, paddle in the sheltered coves and lagoons off picturesque Yukon Island, and stare down at an enormous ice field. At night, relax at wilderness retreats that reflect the hardy character of this great land.
Days 1-2 Seward
Meet in Anchorage
Ride out of the city on bike paths before continuing on the gently rolling Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
Journey south to the Kenai Peninsula, a wonderland of rugged mountains, glaciers, fjords and lakes
In Kenai Fjords National Park, hike above Exit Glacier for unrivaled views of the vast Harding Icefield.
Day 3 Cooper Landing
Hike the beautiful Ptarmigan Lake Trail, past Ptarmigan Lake, where red sockeye salmon spawn in the summer.
Days 4-6 Homer
A picnic lunch at Anchor Point offers spectacular vistas of Cook Inlet and the volcanoes of the Alaska Range
Bike scenic roads to a viewpoint overlooking Homer Spit, a narrow finger of land in the middle of beautiful Kachemak Bay
Stop at a local winery specializing in non-grape wines
Take a water taxi to Yukon Island for a kayak trip around its bays, islands and beaches, keeping watch for bald eagles, harbor seals, porpoises and sea otters
Embark on a morning hike before shuttling to Anchorage, where the trip ends.
NORTHERN NIGHTS: Casual Inns
Seward Windsong Lodge (2 nights): Nestled in the woods near Exit Glacier with expansive vistas of the Resurrection River Valley.
Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge (1 night): Bungalow-style rooms with vaulted ceilings and wood-burning stoves, set in the lush Kenai River Valley.
Land's End Resort (2 nights): You’ll hardly believe the spectacular views at this charming hotel, perched at the tip of Homer Spit in the middle of Kachemak Bay.
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Level 1
2 Route Option Available
- Biking 10, 15 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 3
4 Route Options Available
- Hiking 4, 6, 8 miles
- 1500 - 3000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 2 to 3
1 Route Option Available
- Hiking 7 miles
- 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 2 to 3
3 Route Options Available
- Biking 22, 32 miles
- 500 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- All-day Sea Kayaking
Day 6
- Level 1
1 Route Option Available
- Hiking 4 miles
- 500 feet elevation gain
Trips For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Average Distance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biking | Walking & Hiking | ||
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 mile | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
2009 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 7/4-9Price: $2598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $740 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/11-16Price: $2598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $740 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/18-23Price: $2598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $740 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/25-30Price: $2598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $740 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/1-6Price: $2598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $740 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/8-13Price: $2598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $740 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/15-20Price: $2598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $740 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/22-27Price: $2598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $740 for sgl. occ.)
SINGLES+SOLOS TRIPS
Reserve early for the best available price. Prices may change during the course of the year--if they do change, the best prices are available earlier. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
A recent article in The New York Times about traveling through the Kenai Peninsula captured the basic itinerary of this trip and the remarkable beauty of Alaska. It also became clear that Backroads knows a great deal more than did the author of the article about how to design an excellent trip, taking advantage of the best a region has to offer. The hikes to the Harding Icefield, to Ptarmigan Lake, and up the Heritage Trail were particularly fine and varied. The kayaking trip to Yukon Island was an exceptional experience. We saw more wildlife in six days than all our years of hiking put together, partially because of where Backroads took us.Waban, MA

Overall, a fantastic trip with great leaders, a well picked intinerary and flawless logistics. It doesn't get any better than this. The pleasure factor was high, the hassle factor low and the wow factor was off the scale. The accomodations in Seward and McKinley were quite nice and the accommodations at the Alyeska were even better. Don't change a thing.Seattle, WA

The Kenai Peninsula is a unique part of Alaska with a lot to offer active travelers, including a spectacular setting where glaciers, oceans, rivers and mountains take center stage. Hikers will love Fjord National Park in Seward, a natural wonderland whose skies are patrolled by bald eagles, and whose rocky headlands and islands provide a summer playground for seabirds. We also visit stunning Kachemak Bay which we explore by boat and sea kayak, where mountains and glaciers compete for your amazement. It's truly a beautiful place to explore!- Regional Manager for the North American Rockies
