It feels like the end of the earth... or the beginning of it. Two legs take you to places that few humans have seen. Glaciers sheer down mountainsides to waters brimming with sea life. Poets fish - and fishers write poetry - in the coastal town of Homer. You marvel as Kachemak Bay shows you all its weather, or at the rushing waterfalls and endless wildflower fields on your hike to Crow Pass. Your sense of the wilderness will never be the same after this.
Days 1-2 Homer, one of Alaska's most scenic towns:
see for yourself why it was nicknamed "The End of the Road" 
Hike along bluffs overlooking town and the dramatic Kachemak Bay Trek to amazing Grewingk Glacier, where you may spot caribou and Dall sheep 
Care to meet some water-loving locals? Sea otters, porpoises, loons and bald eagles may say hello.
Days 3-4 Enjoy the abundant wildflowers
on a steep but rewarding hike to stunning Carter & Crescent Lakes The picturesque town of Seward invites a wander Enjoy the spectacular views of Resurrection River Valley Hike to Harding Icefield, which spans more than 900 square miles and conceals an entire mountain beneath the sheets of ice.
Days 5-6 In Girdwood, hike along a portion
of this historic Iditarod Trail Keep your eyes out for moose, bears and marmots on your hike up to Crow Pass explore the temperate, coastal forest of the Cook Inlet en route to the dramatic Winner Creek Gorge.
Trip Highlights
- The hike of a lifetime along Exit Glacier to staggering views of Resurrection River Valley and Harding Icefield
- Boat across Kachemak Bay, then trek to amazing Grewingk Glacier
- Coastal towns of Homer and Seward
- Watch for black bears, mountain goats and salmon swimming upstream
- The alpine splendor of Carter and Crescent Lakes
Casual Inns
Land's End Resort (2 nights): Commune with eagles, otters and seals where land meets sea on Kachemak Bay. (spa)
Seward Windsong Lodge (2 nights): Nestled in the woods near Exit Glacier in the striking Resurrection River Valley.
Alyeska Resort (1 night): Lush forests encircle this modern, Japanese-inspired hotel, with koi ponds and a magnificent setting at the base of Mount Alyeska. (spa)
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Level 2 1 Route Option Available
- 5 miles
- 200 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 4 4 Route Options Available
- 5, 7, 8, 11 miles
- 400 - 1700 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Level 3 1 Route Option Available
- 6.5 miles
- 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 2 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 4, 6, 8 miles
- 2200 - 3200 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 2 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 3.5, 5, 7 miles
- 700 - 2200 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Levels 2 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- 2.5, 5 miles
- 250 - 500 feet elevation gain
Terrain Description
Alpine trails, meadow paths, rain forest hikes.
Routes 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 | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
2012 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
Plus 6% Kenai Peninsula tax
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
A phenomenal experience filled with sensory awe and everlasting memories. The local guides and leaders were more than simply competent - they were effervescent personalities that precisely complemented the experience. We trekked to locations that we could not have imagined, enjoyed vistas that no camera picture will ever fully capture. It was, quite simply, the best.- Oceanside, CA
This trip was beyond anything I could have imagined! It truly was a dream trip, made even better by our fabulous leaders. I don't know how I could ever travel independently again!- Atlanta, GA
Amazing, amazing, amazing! I knew we'd be taken care of, but was still impressed with the seamlessness of the entire week. We joked how things seemed to just happen magically, luggage ready in our rooms, keys handed to us upon arrival, lunch tables ready with beautiful presentations for us to pack our lunches every morning, extra water bottles, walking sticks, cold drinks and snacks always available, and daily schedules that were followed. The amount of work that went on behind the scenes must have been immense, but none of us ever got the sense that either of the leaders were scrambling. It was so greatly appreciated! Additionally, the hiking was superb. I don't think I'll ever forget sitting and looking out over the Harding Icefields. I could have sat there for hours! This was my first trip and though I got home just this morning from Alaska, I have already looked online to see what I should do next. I think the best way to sum it up would be to share that at the end of the trip I was hugging new friends with tears in my eyes at the thought that it was all over.- Chicago, IL
In regards to the value of my trip relative to the price...everything was far beyond what I expected. The quality, care, and preparation that Backroads put into planning this trip really shows and made me feel special...like being part of a family that cares about you and not just like a paying guest on a week-long tour. The friendships I made have a value that far exceeds any amount of money I spent on this trip! Thank you so much for a truly amazing vacation!- Rensselaer, NY