Denali to Kenai Fjords 9 Days for Extreme Adventurers

Fly into Anchorage, rent a car, and check in to your accommodation. Hit the ground running by renting a bike and cruising down the trails at Hilltop Bike Park, the northernmost bike park in North America. Or hike one of the trails in Anchorage’s backyard, like Flattop, McHugh Peak, and O’Malley Peak.

Begin your day by driving north to the Mat-Su Glacier, about 2.5 hours away. This is Alaska’s largest road-accessible glacier and a must-visit destination. Spend the afternoon ice climbing, glacier trekking, or glacier-pool paddleboarding and combine it with a scenic helicopter ride.

Then drive about 3 hours to Talkeetna and camp or stay at a cozy inn or B&B. Relax by the campfire or unwind at a local brewery.

You’ve got several options for an adventurous morning in Talkeetna:

• Experience the excitement of ziplining with Denali Zipline Tours, where this adrenaline-pumping activity meets breathtaking views of the Alaska Range and Denali. Glide across nine ziplines and traverse three suspension bridges along the forested ridges above the Talkeetna River Valley while enjoying unparalleled mountain vistas.

• At Talkeetna Lakes Park you can rent a kayak, canoe or paddleboard.

• Rent a bike from the shop downtown and explore the trails around Talkeetna Lakes Park or ride the bike path that spans the 14 miles of the Talkeetna Spur Road.

• Opt for a heli-hike or fly-in adventure from a local flightseeing operator

Then grab a quick lunch and hit the road for Denali, about a 2.5-hour drive. Check in to an accommodation near the park entrance or a reserved campsite.

Crash­ through white­wa­ter on the Nenana River just out­side Denali National Park. Make sure you book the splashy whitewater section, with Class III and IV rapids. And if you want to be really hands-on, ask to do a paddle trip, where you get to help paddle the boat. Trips leave as early as 8 a.m., giving you lots of time for another adventure in the afternoon, like a hike. Two popular, challenging trails in the front-country area of the park include Healy Overlook and Triple Lakes.

Another fun water adventure is packrafting, which combines a hike with a rafting trip in your own inflatable packraft. Never tried this sport? No problem! Join up with Traverse Alaska or New Wave Adventures to learn how.

Then head back to your park accommodation and rest up for another exciting day tomorrow!

Today, you’ll go inside the national park boundaries and explore the areas along Denali’s Park Road. Most visitors opt for a full-day bus tour, but we know that’s not your style, so here are some alternative options:

Take a hike. Use the National Park Service hiker shuttle to access hiking trails within the park. Enjoy a hike, then meet another shuttle for your return trip.

Rent a bike. Head to Bike Denali and grab a bike that requires pedal power, or get a little assistance with an e-bike. Pedal as far into the park as you’d like, or put your bike on the shuttle, then hop off and pedal out.

For a less-strenuous adventure afterwards, go flightseeing—one of Denali’s most popular activities that affords you aerial views of the park and stunning Mt. Denali. It’s a fantastic way to round out your park experience.

Highlights

Go for a short hike in the morning, then drive from Denali towards Talkeetna. About an hour north of Talkeetna lies Denali State Park, which is just as beautiful as the national park but sees fewer visitors. Popular trails include Curry Ridge, one of the access trails that lead to the Kesugi Ridge Trail (which stretches for 27 miles, so make a plan to come back and hike the whole thing!). Or stop at Byers Lake Campground and rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. The lake offers stunning views of Mt. Denali on a clear day. After your adventure, drive 2.5 hours to Anchorage where you’ll spend the night.

From Anchorage, drive southeast toward Seward. Make a pit stop in Girdwood to explore some great hiking trails, go mountain biking down Mt. Alyeska or hit one of the great restaurants in town. Then continue driving for about 1.5 hours until you reach Seward. Check in to your accommodations for the night and have dinner.

From Seward, you can set sail on a fishing charter and cast for prized catches from the bountiful waters of the Gulf of Alaska. Or embark on a kayaking adventure and paddle stunning Resurrection Bay, exploring hidden coves and encountering marine wildlife up close. You can also charter a private sailboat or water taxi to take you to a remote island, where you can explore beaches and more remote hikes like Caines Head (a hike that can also be accomplished without a water taxi at low tide).

Head to Exit Glacier, about 12 miles north of Seward. There’s an easy trail with views of the glacier, but for you we recommend the Harding Icefield Trail—a difficult, 5- to 8-hour hike where you’ll ascend 3,000 feet to get a full view of the icefield. Or try the Lost Lake Trail, one of the best hikes on the Kenai Peninsula. It’s a gradual, uphill trail that takes 6–8 hours. Then make the 2.5-hour drive back to Anchorage, where you’ll fly home to end your unforgettable 9-day trip!