Best Alaska Cycling Tours & Holidays 2022/23

Mighty peaks, glistening glaciers, ancient forests and quaint coastal towns. Alaska calls to nature-loving travellers hungry for adventure.

Cycling is one of the best ways to discover Alaska's wild side. Besides the wheels you're on, there's nothing but you, the open road and the fresh air against your skin. As well as cycling iconic trails like the Tony Knowles Trail that hugs the coast of Anchorage, there'll be plenty of opportunities to swap the wheels for hiking boots, or jump in a kayak to explore at an even slower pace. If you're lucky, you might spot whales, otters and leaping salmon in the Kenai Peninsula, or grizzly bears and wolves in Denali. We'll do all the organising and provide the bike, so all you need to do is bring your sense of adventure. Ready to roll?

Our Alaska cycling tours

Alaska Hike, Bike & Kayak

6 Days From 2420

Explore Anchorage, Denali National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Seward on foot...

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Highlights of cycling in Alaska

Tony Knowles Coastal Trail

Hugging the shores of Cook Inlet, the Tony Knowles Trail is a great introduction to Alaska’s untamed beauty. The 18-kilometre (11-mile) paved track takes you through diverse landscapes from wind-whipped coastal marshes to lush tree-lined hills. It’s easy to lose yourself in the moment as you take in the views – including the stunning Denali peaking through the clouds – but you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled as it’s not uncommon to encounter a moose or two along the way!

Discover downtown Anchorage

Kick back and relax after a big day of cycling in one of Anchorage’s cosy bars or eateries. Anchorage is Alaska’s biggest and most populous city and you’ll find all your usual culinary comforts, as well as local Alaskan fare. There’s something to delight all tastebuds whether you want to sample local beers in one of the city’s many microbreweries, tuck into a juicy burger in a family-owned pub, or sample Alaskan salmon, snow crab or reindeer sausage.

A traveller hiking in Kenai Fjords National Park

Swap the wheels for hiking boots

If you feel like grounding yourself after exploring on two wheels, why not lace up your hiking boots and tackle one of Alaska's many amazing trails. Whether you want to weave through Denali's scenic tundra while wildflower-munching moose look on or get up close with glaciers in Kenai Fjords National Park to marvel at layers of ancient blue ice, you’re spoilt for choice with incredible walking and hiking trails.

Hit the water

Enjoy a change of scenery by jumping in a kayak for a sea kayaking adventure around the stunning Resurrection Bay. If you’re lucky, you may see adorable sea otters floating on their backs, leaping salmon in a spawning stream or bald eagles gliding majestically overhead. If kayaking isn’t your thing, perhaps go on a Kenai Fjords boat cruise where pods of curious orcas, humpbacks and Dall's porpoises are known to swim to the surface or ride the bow of the boat.

Alaska cycling tour reviews

Alaska cycling FAQs

Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine to join an Intrepid trip to Alaska?

Everyone travelling on an Intrepid trip must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of carriage. 

All travellers are required to produce:

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination
All children aged 5 to 17 years old must provide proof of vaccination (if eligible), proof of recovery or a negative COVID-19 test.
If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, you may apply for an exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must provide a medical certificate from a medical professional.

In all cases, you must be fully inoculated. This means you must receive the full dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine and allow enough time for immunity to take effect. Each COVID-19 vaccine has different dosages and timeframes for inoculation, so please check the relevant medical advice associated with your vaccine.

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 proof of vaccination policy

What is the weather like in Alaska?

The weather in Alaska varies a fair bit from region to region. You should also keep in mind that no matter where or when you travel in Alaska, the diverse environment and geography means the weather can change very quickly – meaning waterproofs and layering are crucial when packing! Below is some information on weather in the southcentral and interior regions.

Weather in Southcentral Alaska (Anchorage, Seward, Homer, Valdez)

A subarctic climate makes Alaska’s southcentral region cool to cold throughout the year. Even in high June, when the sun is out almost 19 hours a day, expect temperatures to hover around 18°C (65°F) and drop to 10°C (50°F) in the evening. August and September are the rainiest months of the year with an average of 14 days of rainfall each month. In the winter months of December, January and February, expect short days and temperatures to plummet to below freezing.

Weather in Interior Alaska (Fairbanks, Denali National Park)

The mountainous interior of Alaska is known for wild variations in temperature, though summer tends to feature average highs of about 21°C (70°F) and average lows of –17°C (1°F) in winter. May, June and July all experience over 18 hours of sunlight a day in Alaska’s interior, which is great for maxing out your time exploring outside. Summer (June, July and August) is the rainy season, with between two to three inches of rain a month on average.

When is the best time of year to do a cycling trip in Alaska?

Most of Alaska experiences a subarctic or continental climate with long, cold winters and short, cool summers. This means there's only really a small window to go on a cycling tour in Alaska, and that's during the summer months between June and August. That's not to say cycling at other times of the year is off the cards (although our tours only run in the summer), but you have the best chance of mild, dry weather and good cycling conditions in the summer.

What should I pack for a cycling trip in Alaska?

Packing for a cycling tour isn’t too different from any other active adventure, but if you want to be comfortable and warm, some of the bike-specific items to bring include:

helmet
comfortable sports shoes
quick-dry socks
padded bike shorts
waterproof/windproof jacket
warm layers
beanie
sun hat or cap
day bag

How do I get to Alaska?

Perhaps staying true to its end-of-the-earth aesthetic, Alaska does have a reputation for being difficult to travel to when it comes to finding flights. Anchorage is the state’s main gateway, with flights coming in from other US cities like Chicago, Denver, LA, Vegas and Portland year-round. You can also find direct flights in the summer from Frankfurt, Reykjavik or Vancouver. You can, of course, visit Alaska from anywhere, it’s just a question of your travel stamina and how many stopovers you're willing to make.

If you love world-class mountain vistas, you may prefer to drive. The Alaska-Canada Highway (AICan) used to be a bumpy dirt road, but these days it’s the main connection between the US and Canada through the border of British Columbia. When you touch down and start your Alaska tour, we’ll handle all the internal transfers in a private vehicle (with heating).

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before travelling to Alaska?

Absolutely. Everyone travelling with Intrepid is required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their tour. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to our Travel Insurance hub.