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Alaska Hiking

Alaska Hiking

Lace up those hiking boots and join us on the Kenai Peninsula to discover a wonderland of colossal mountains, sparkling glaciers, protected forests and bountiful wildlife. Experience stunning Kachemak Bay by kayak before hiking in its namesake state park. Trek in the shadow of ice-carved peaks across wildflower-filled meadows and expansive tundra to reach clear blue lakes and ever-creeping glaciers. In Kenai Fjords National Park, behold towering chunks of blue and white ice at Exit Glacier. And all the while, the local residents - from moose and sea otters to bald eagles - are never far away! Come nightfall, bed down in comfortable retreats tucked into magnificent Alaskan wilderness.

Days 1-2 Homer

Meet in Homer  Hike along bluffs overlooking Homer and dramatic Kachemak Bay  Travel by water taxi across the bay, looking for bald eagles, sea otters and dolphins  Explore Kachemak Bay State Park, trekking through forests to Glacier Lake and the spectacular 13-mile-long Grewingk Glacier, where you may spot mountain goats and even black bears.

Day 3 Cooper Landing

Hike the Russian Lakes Trail through a wide open valley to the Russian River, where salmon fight their way upstream through a fierce current.

Days 4-6 Seward

Enjoy the wildflowers on a steep but rewarding hike to Carter Lake  Wander in the picturesque town of Seward Head to Kenai Fjords National Park for a challenging and unforgettable trek that skirts Exit Glacier and passes through a dense forest that’s home to mountain goats, moose, black bears and marmots Take in unrivaled views of the Resurrection River Valley and Harding Icefield, a glacier spanning more than 900 square miles  Walk through a forested landscape to turquoise Ptarmigan Lake.

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KENAI COMFORT: Casual Inns

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.

Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge (1 night): Bungalow-style rooms with vaulted ceilings and wood-burning stoves, set in the lush Kenai River Valley.

Seward Windsong Lodge (2 nights): Nestled in the woods near Exit Glacier with expansive vistas of the striking Resurrection River Valley.

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6


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
2010 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS

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.
Michael Donovan - 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!
Sandi Berg - Atlanta, GA