Alaska Multisport
Biking, Hiking & Kayaking on the Kenai Peninsula
Alaska’s vibrant frontier spirit and overwhelming natural grandeur have the power to consume the senses. And the Kenai Peninsula is often said to encapsulate the best of Alaska. Here colossal mountains, sparkling glaciers, abundant wildlife, expansive tundra and wildflower-filled meadows all challenge your sense of scale. Hike through the Chugach National Forest, pedal beneath glacier-carved peaks on the Kenai Peninsula, paddle in the sheltered coves and lagoons off picturesque Yukon Island, and stare down at an enormous ice field. At night, relax at wilderness retreats that reflect the hearty character of this great land.
Trip Planning Links
- Alaska’s dramatic landscapes in one astonishing peninsula
- Bike to Homer, one of Alaska’s most beautiful towns
- Hike Harding Icefield Trail, a spectacular route alongside Exit Glacier
- Circumnavigate Yukon Island by kayak
- Watch for salmon swimming their annual migration upstream
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2 Seward
Meet in Anchorage 
Ride out of the city on bike paths before continuing on the gently rolling Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, perhaps spotting a moose or two Journey south to the Kenai Peninsula, a wonderland of rugged mountains, glaciers, fjords and lakes In Kenai Fjords National Park, hike above Exit Glacier for unrivaled views of the vast Harding Icefield and the Resurrection River Valley.
Day 3 Cooper Landing
Hike the beautiful Ptarmigan Lake Trail through Sitka spruce forest and past crystal-clear Ptarmigan Creek, where red sockeye salmon spawn in the summer.
Days 4-6 Homer
Take in spectacular views of Cook Inlet and the volcanoes of the Alaska Range during a picnic lunch Bike a scenic route to a viewpoint overlooking the town of Homer, the Grewingk Glacier and the Homer Spit, a narrow finger of land in beautiful Kachemak Bay Stop at a local winery specializing in non-grape fruit wines Sea otters and bald eagles are common visitors at our hotel at the end of the spit Take a water taxi to Yukon Island for a kayak trip around Kachemak Bay, keeping watch for bald eagles, harbor seals, porpoises and sea otters Enjoy a morning hike with a naturalist through fields of wildflowers After picnicking at a former homestead, we return to Anchorage.
- 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:
Family Casual Inns Family Deluxe Camping
Canadian Rockies Multisport Nova Scotia Multisport San Juan Islands MultisportOther National Park Trips
Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
A recent article in The New York Times about traveling through the Kenai Peninsula captured the basic itinerary of this trip and the remarkable beauty of Alaska. It also became clear that Backroads knows a great deal more than did the author of the article about how to design an excellent trip, taking advantage of the best a region has to offer. The hikes to the Harding Icefield, to Ptarmigan Lake, and up the Heritage Trail were particularly fine and varied. The kayaking trip to Yukon Island was an exceptional experience. We saw more wildlife in six days than all our years of hiking put together, partially because of where Backroads took us.- Waban, 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 Multisport
NORTHERN NIGHTS: Casual Inns
Seward Windsong Lodge
Seward (2 nights) It's all about the views—of the Resurrection River and the snow-covered Chugach Mountains.
Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge
Cooper Landing (1 night) With in-room wood-burning stoves and a deck overlooking the Kenai River, this is an ideal spot to overnight in the wild.
Land's End Resort
Homer (2 nights) Commune with eagles, otters and seals, where land meets sea on Kachemak Bay.
Alaska 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
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- Biking 10, 15 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 3 to 5 3 Route Options Available
- Hiking 4, 6, 8 miles
- 1500 - 3000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Level 2 1 Route Option Available
- Hiking 7 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 2 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- Biking 22, 32 miles
- 500 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- All-day Sea Kayaking
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Hiking 2 miles
- 200 feet elevation gain