Alaska Family Multisport
Bike, Hike, Raft & Sea Kayak on the Kenai Peninsula
"To the lover of pure wilderness, Alaska is one of the most wonderful countries in the world," wrote John Muir in 1879. Although the prospectors and traders of Muir’s time have been replaced by adventurers sporting cameras and binoculars, Alaska’s vibrant frontier spirit and overwhelming natural grandeur still have the power to enliven the senses. So bring your family and experience it firsthand. Marvel at the snow-clad immensity of the surrounding mountains, hike to an awe-inspiring glacier, pedal the Kenai Peninsula’s wooded roads to a spectacular overlook and view marine life on Kachemak Bay. By bike, foot, boat and dog sled, Alaska with Backroads is an unforgettable family destination.
Trip Planning Links
- Alaska's dramatic landscapes in one astonishing peninsula
- Hike Harding Icefield Trail, a spectacular route alongside Exit Glacier
- Get a feel for what's been called "The Last Great Race on Earth" and meet some of the four-legged competitors
- Watch for salmon swimming upstream during their annual migration
- Observe a variety of marine life while kayaking around Yukon Island
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-3 Chugach National Forest
Meet in Anchorage 
Bike on the rolling Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, with views of Cook Inlet and the Alaska Range Journey south to the Kenai Peninsula, a wonderland of rugged mountains, glaciers, fjords and lakes Hike verdant trails in the Chugach National Forest Experience the excitement of Iditarod racing in dog-powered sleds In Kenai Fjords National Park, kids explore the majesty of Exit Glacier with a Backroads leader before heading to the Sea Life Center Adults trek to incredible Harding Icefield - the hike of a lifetime! Take to the water with expert guides on a float trip down the Kenai River and watch for moose, eagles and beavers Make your way on foot to a picturesque spot above the Russian River, where salmon jump upstream.
Days 4-6 Anchor Point
In Anchor Point State Park, pedal to a scenic viewpoint overlooking Kachemak Bay, the Kenai Mountains and Homer, one of Alaska’s most beautiful towns Travel by water taxi to Yukon Island, a haven for otters, seals and nesting birds, and spend the day paddling among its vast sheltered coves and lagoons Explore Homer’s shops and lively marina Amble through fields of wildflowers on a beautiful nature trail.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
Glacier Multisport Canadian Rockies Multisport San Juan Islands MultisportOther National Park Trips
Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
Our Alaska vacation was all that we hoped for and more! All of the leaders were friendly, courteous, professional, fun, engaging and very accommodating! They all contributed in their own unique ways to making this vacation one that my son and I will both remember for the rest of our lives. For a family trip, there was just the right amount of activity for the kids. We met many fun, interesting and friendly people, and we took home with us many wonderful memories. I am already recommending Backroads to all of my family and friends back home. We will definitely be traveling with Backroads again!- Georgetown, MA More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. For multisport tours in , trust our in-depth connections. To see all our multisport tours click here. For our selection of award-winning biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning walking and hiking tours click here.
Alaska Family Multisport
RIVERSIDE AMONG THE TREES: Deluxe Camping
Trail River Campground
Chugach National Forest (3 nights) Spacious campsites set amid tall spruce trees on the shore of Lower Trail River.
Slidehole Campground
Anchor Point (2 nights) Located just a short walk from the water, enjoy expansive views across Cook Inlet as bald eagles swoop overhead.
Alaska Family Multisport
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insider Trips | Explore at a leisurely pace—on village walks, market strolls, art history excursions, hands-on cooking classes and more. | ||
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 2 3 Route Options Available
- Biking 10, 15 miles
- 200 feet elevation gain
- Hiking 5 miles
- 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 3 5 Route Options Available
- Dog Sledding 1.5 hours
- Hiking 1.5, 4, 6, 8 miles
- 100 - 3200 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
- River Float Trip 2 hours
- Hiking 5 miles
- 300 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- Biking 9, 22, 32 miles
- 100 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Level 2 1 Route Option Available
- Sea Kayaking 5 hours
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Hiking 2 miles
- 100 feet elevation gain
On this Family Trip, our routes generally follow gentle terrain, except for the rigorous hike to Harding Icefield. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary to facilitate our activities and mileage is kept moderate to enable you to spend more time exploring on your own.