Denali Cycling - Lodge Based

This trip travels exclusively on the Denali Highway, which is not part of the Parks Highway leading to Denali National Park. As such, we will not be inside Denali National Park for any segment of our cycling journey.

Welcome to the Last Frontier! Our group meets this morning for introductions and an orientation to the days ahead. This will also be our time to fit bikes and ensure everyone's well equipped for our ride. We'll then jump in our shuttle vehicle and transfer to the start of today's ride along the Richardson Highway. What began as a trail used during the gold rush, the Richardson Highway eventually grew to be the first main long-distance road into Alaska's interior. With plentiful scenery to act as a distraction, the highway will also provide an excellent warm up for the days ahead. This evening we'll enjoy our first meal together while sharing our goals for the upcoming journey. Lunch and dinner included.

Cycling on paved road: Up to 40 miles, elevation gain/loss: 3,400'/2,880'. Transfer: 3 hours.

A 40-mile van transfer gets us to the start of our journey along the Denali Highway. For over a century tiny Paxon, Alaska has served as a welcome outpost for road weary travelers and continues to serve as the launching pad for an epic adventure along the Denali Highway. Departing Paxson we're quickly immersed in the vast and open tundra of interior Alaska. On clear days this area provides jaw-dropping views of the Alaska Range, the Wrangell Mountains and the Gulkana Glacier. Today's ride also takes us through the Tangle Lakes Archaeological District. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this area is known to have been inhabited by early humans over 10,000 years ago and contains over 500 archaeological sites. After a remarkable day in the saddle, we'll enjoy a hearty meal and a warm bed at our comfortable accommodations. All meals included.

Cycling: 41 miles on a mixture of paved and gravel road, elevation gain/loss: 4,340'/4,120'. Transfer: 1 hour.

Starting with Crazy Notch, which was formed by the recession of the Maclaren Glacier, today's ride will travel through a landscape carved by eons of glacial activity. Evidence of the amazing impact glaciation has had on this area is everywhere and our guides will provide a fascinating tutorial throughout our journey. Along the way we'll also keep an eye out for wildlife who frequent this section of the highway, including trumpeter swans, bald eagles, moose, and caribou. We'll finish the day with a ride over the Susitna River bridge, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, and which provides passage over the river as it flows 300 miles from the Susitna Glacier south into the Cook Inlet. All meals included.

Cycling: 37 miles on gravel road, elevation gain/loss: 2,290'/2540'.

Our last 58-miles of the Denali Highway rewards us with some of the most spectacular scenery we've experienced so far. On a clear day we'll enjoy jaw dropping views of the Alaska Range and its crown jewel: Denali. Even in inclement weather this section of our ride is breathtaking and provides peek-a-boo moody views of Mount Deborah, Mount Hess and the Susitna River valley. The area is also notable as the location of a small gold rush outpost - the Valdez Creek Mine, which can be seen in the foothills of the Clearwater Mountains. We finish our incredible journey in the town of Yidateni Na' - Cantwell, where we celebrate our accomplishment with a delicious dinner among new friends. All meals included.

Cycling: 58 miles on a combination of gravel and paved road, elevation gain/loss: 3,425'/3,900'.

This morning we visit the Denali National Park Visitor's Center. As the gateway to six-million acres of protected wilderness and North America's tallest mountain, the Visitor's Center provides a wealth of fantastic interpretive resources. For those interested in extending their adventure into the park itself, there is also a bus stop, railroad depot, and countless transfer opportunities to nearby communities where an extended adventure into the park can be arranged. For those of us continuing to Fairbanks, we'll enjoy a picnic lunch in route to Fairbanks, where we plan to arrive back this afternoon. Breakfast and lunch included.

Please note that due to National Park restrictions, commercial activity, including hiking and cycling are prohibited.

Transfer: 3.5 hours.