The mere word "Alaska" conjures images of majestic beauty, vast solitude, and above all outstanding outdoor
recreation opportunities. Purchased in 1867 by Secretary of State William H. Seward for a mere $7.2
million dollars, this 586,000 square miles of land does not disappoint anyone looking for
wilderness adventure. Hiking and
sea kayaking in Alaska offer breath-taking views, incredible solitude, beautiful flowers, the northern lights, and great chances to see some exciting wildlife. From the temperate rainforests of southeast Alaska, to the glacial bays along the Gulf of Alaska, to the towering peaks of central Alaska, there are spectacular natural landscapes to be explored.
In southeast Alaska start your adventures from
Ketchikan,
Juneau, or
Sitka. Climb up
Deer Mountain
or walk along the shore of
Perseverance Lake. Grab a sea kayak and paddle through the
Tongass Narrows
or along George Inlet.
You'll be enjoying some of the finest cool weather rainforest in the world.
As you move further north you'll be using
Anchorage,
Seward, or
Girdwood as your home base. Explore the
Harding Icefield, or take a 3 day trip over
Resurrection Pass; both are spectacular. Take the train
and explore the area around
Whittier,
a truly unique town where everyone lives in one large apartment building. Take a scenic drive to Seward and then hike down Resurrection Bay to
Caines Head. The weather here is temperate
in the summer and moderately cold in the winter, and in the summer
you get 18 hours of daylight to play with.
Moving further north again you'll reach the central spires of Alaska, rising abruptly from the
surrounding plains.
Fairbanks is the biggest city in this area, followed by
Talkeetna. You'll
want to spend at least a few days exploring
Denali National Park,
but don't forget that there
are plenty of other once-in-a-lifetime places to visit like
Kesugi Ridge in Denali State Park,
or Byers Lake.
If the hikes look too challenging for you, there are also plenty of worthwhile
scenic drives
throughout the state, as well as sea-kayaking, strolling, swimming, and countless other activities.
Remember, in Alaska, the beautiful outdoors is never far away.
Find all Alaska trails
Find all Alaska hiking trails
