Denali National Park, Alaska. Photo via Flickr:blarrggg

Alaska Beer Brewery samplings. Photo via Flickr:Jeremy Keith

Alaska - Craft Beers and Roadhouses

United States Bike Tours

Alaska Bike and Beer Tour

Welcome to the last frontier! This guided bike tour in Alaska combines two of cyclists' favorite past times into one grand adventure; cycling through awe-inspiring landscapes and relaxing and rewarding with extraordinary craft beer afterwards! This one of a kind bike tour rolls along some of the most scenic roads in the world, taking cyclists to historic roadhouses and quiet, remote log cabin resorts. All along your way, you will discover beer making Alaska style. What better way to finish your cycling day than with a nightly tasting of craft beers brewed in the 49th state! Meal times is an adventure as well, so eat to ride and ride to eat!

Highlights:

  • Denali National Park
  • Matanuska Glacier
  • Epic scenery
  • Epic brews

This is an adventure unlike any other! Come and cycle this dramatic, diverse terrain, with wide open spaces, mountains, and forests, teeming with abundant wildlife...and beer!

If Alaska is not your think, take a look at our other bike tours in the USA!

Skill Level

The ride is mostly on paved roads, but can involve dirt roads on some optional rides. Traffic is moderate and very bike friendly. The route is suitable for performance road, sport road, and touring bikes. Terrain is hilly and on a couple of days, involves a long gradual climb. Remember that this ride is fully supported! You can always hop in the support vehicle at any time.

Where You’ll Stay

Lodging on this trip is unique, a mix of historic roadhouses, homesteads, boutique log cabin resorts and modern hotels. All feature Alaskan style architecture and atmosphere, plus provide all the expected amenities for your comfort (hot showers, en suite bathrooms, wifi). Do note, that some are simple and down to earth.

What’s Included

  • Accommodations for 10 nights
  • Meals from dinner on Day 1 until dinner on Day 10, except as noted in itinerary
  • Pre-dinner beer tasting most nights
  • Rental bike
  • Cycling Guide(s)
  • Full Van Support
  • Daily route directions and maps
  • Airport pick up & drop off

What’s Not Included

  • Personal expenses
  • Gratuities for guides and support staff
  • Meals not indicated on daily itinerary

TourBike
TypeGuided
SkillModerate–Difficult
Length10 days
From$4270 Rates
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Tour Dates

June 12, June 26, July 31 and August 14, 2016

Day-To-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Anchorage
Day 2: Wasilla - Talkeetna, 70 mi. (112 km)
Day 3: Talkeetna - Denali, 50 mi. (80 km)
Day 4: Denali - Denali Village,  75 mi. (120 km)
Day 5: Denali Village
Day 6: Denali Village, 45 mi. (72 km)
Day 7: Gakona, 68 mi. (109 km)
Day 8: Gakona - Louise Lake, 55 mi. (80 km)
Day 9: Louise Lake - Sheep Mountain, 56 mi. (90 km)
Day 10: Departure

Day 1: Arrival in Anchorage
You will meet your fellow biking and beer aficionados at the Long House Alaska Hotel in  the morning, then head north to Wasilla where the adventure begins! Someone once claimed that from a backyard here you could see Russia. Wasilla is home to two microbreweries, so what better way to start than to visit at least one of the breweries and a double tasting. Dinner provided! (D)

Day 2: Wasilla - Talkeetna, 70 mi. (112 km)
Let the riding begin! Today's route leads north first along some nicely paved bike paths from Wasilla to the charming village of Willow.  We will continue through thick forests of aspen and poplar trees, a lush blanket of green accompanying  to the eclectic town of Talkeetna, the overnight town.This historic rail town is thought to be the inspiration for the town of Cicely in the TV series, Northern Exposure and is home to Denali Brewing. (B, L, D) 

Day 3: Talkeetna - Denali, 50 mi. (80 km)
The dramatic landscapes of the Alaska range lure you further north today, as the group pedals to Denali State Park.  Along the way, you will pass through diminutive Trappers Creek, home to the infamous Wal*Mikes with its vast collection of "stuff".  Definitely a one of a kind!  The lodge this evening  is simple and comfortable, built as a homestead before roads went to Denali National Park, providing dramatic views of Denali.  Before dinner, you will sample brews from Baranof Island Brewery located in Sitka, far away in Alaska's Inside Passage. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Denali - Denali Village,  75 mi. (120 km)
The heart of Denali National Park is the focus today followed by a ride along the Parks Highway,  "up and over" Broad Pass into the heart of the Alaska Mountain Range.  But don't let the name fool you, it is a gentle climb, following the rail line thus nothing steeper than 2%.  The day's ride ends Cantwell, followed by a  shuttle into Denali Village, where you will stay for the next two nights.  Dinner and beer tasting this evening are at the 49th State Brewing. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Denali Village
Today is a free day to do as you please.  There are informative tours deep into the heart of Denali National Park, shuttle buses that can take you and your bike to the park for a ride back out, white water rafting and just plain relaxing and stroll around town.  No organized tastings tonight, but the hotel's bar has a great selection to wet your whistle. (no meals provided)

Day 6: Denali Village, 45 mi. (72 km)
Back on the bikes, it is mostly a downhill ride today. The route leads back to Cantwell. In Cantwell where you will pick up Denali Highway, traversing across the southern foothills of the Alaska Range.  This highway has been voted one of the top 5 most scenic highways by many different groups and it does live up to those accolades.  But alas, it does turn to dirt, so the portion of the day's itinerary will be by shuttle to the lodge. This evening you will enjoy beer from the Silver Gulch Brewing in Fairbanks. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Gakona, 68 mi. (109 km)
After a few miles on dirt,  its back on the pavement for the rest of the Denali Highway to the junction of Paxson, then onto the Richardson Highway, the first road built in Alaska.  The ride is a cruise, as it is mostly downhill throughout the day. To your right, you will see the vast tundra dotted with lakes, to your left, the impressive volcanic peaks of the Wrangells start peeking over the tree tops.  Alaska's oldest operating roadhouse, the Gakona Lodge, is the accommodations this evening. You will be sampling brews from Alaska's oldest brewery as well, Alaskan Brewing Co, tasting some of their specialty and seasonal brews. (B, L, D)

Day 8: Gakona - Louise Lake, 55 mi. (80 km)
Leaving Gakona, you roll through Glenallen, a dry community at the junction of the Richardson and Glenn Highways, but fear not, because there is a combination stationary and beer store just outside the city limits.  Today's ride highlights the vast tundra of Alaska, flat lands dotted with numerous lakes.  You will overnight on the shores of Louise Lake, encircled by distant mountain ranges, forming a delightful 360-degree landscape masterpiece. You will sample brews from the Kenai Peninsula on the porch overlooking the lake. What better way to end the day! (B, L, D)

Day 9: Louise Lake - Sheep Mountain, 56 mi. (90 km)
Your last day of riding takes you further along the Glenn Highway, working your way over Eureka Summit, but again, in true Alaska style, it is a long gradual uphill, not an alpine type climb.  But with the Chugach Mountain Range to the south and the Alaska and Talkeetna Ranges to the north, the grandeur will keep your mind off your legs. From the summit, it is a rolling downhill to the tours finish at Sheep Mountain. With the Chugach Mountains and Matanuska Glacier at your doorstep, you will try some more brews from the Kenai Peninsula this evening. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Departure
After breakfast, you will switch gears a bit and enjoy a stop at Matanuska Glacier. Accompanied and equipped by experienced glacier guides, there is an opportunity to explore the glacier up close and personal, walking across its vast blue ice fields.  In the afternoon, it is back to Anchorage, to celebrate the end of a great Alaskan adventure with dinner and a final tasting at one of Anchorage's excellent brews. You might want to consider pre-booking an extra night in Anchorage at the Long House. (B, L, D)

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