Alaska Highway Bike Tour

This 15-day expedition follows the historic Alaska Highway, built in 1942 as a military supply route, from Mile Zero in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, to Fairbanks, Alaska. After a mandatory Mile Zero photo, riders cross hilly BC terrain past the original Kiskatinaw Bridge and over Summit Lake, the highest point on the original highway, continuing through Fort Nelson, Toad River and Muncho Lake Provincial Park.

The route then eases into the mountainous Yukon interior, taking in Liard Hot Springs, Watson Lake's Sign Post Forest and the turquoise glacial waters of Kluane Lake beneath the St Elias Mountains, before crossing into Alaska via the Tetlin Wildlife Refuge and a celebratory finish at historic Milepost 1422.

Overnights are spent in a mix of frontier lodges and small-town hotels, with local guides drawing on more than two decades of experience on this route, plus stops for local craft beer along the way.

Highlights:

• Mandatory Mile Zero photo in Dawson Creek and the original Kiskatinaw Bridge
• Summit Lake, the highest point on the original Alaska Highway
• Muncho Lake Provincial Park and a soak at Liard Hot Springs
• Watson Lake's Sign Post Forest and the turquoise waters of Kluane Lake beneath the St Elias Mountains
• Tetlin Wildlife Refuge and a celebratory finish at historic Milepost 1422
• Wildlife (moose, bald eagles, wood bison, black bears) is often seen along the highway, especially in spring and fall, though sightings are never guaranteed

Surface and terrain:

The Alaska Highway is paved throughout and well suited to road bikes, with wide shoulders and long sightlines. Terrain progresses from hilly in British Columbia to mountainous through the Yukon, easing to smaller hills closer to Alaska. Grades are described as gentle and shaped by the highway's natural contours, with gradual rather than steep ascents. Daily distances range from 35-66 miles (56-106 km).

Weather:

Daytime temperatures range from crisp to surprisingly warm, and cold fronts can drop down from the Arctic at almost any time, with mornings and evenings sometimes dipping near or below freezing. There is always a chance of rain, though it is often just a day or two of wet weather. Daylight lasts roughly 16-22 hours depending on departure dates, with only a short stretch of true darkness. Layering is recommended, including wicking base layers, a fleece or light jacket, a rain jacket, and cycling tights or rain pants for wet days.

Suitable for:

Moderately fit cyclists comfortable with daily rides of 35-66 miles (56-106 km) over hilly to mountainous terrain, and remote, lodge-based touring on quiet frontier roads with rare traffic. The tour is not vegetarian friendly, as some remote lodges have limited menus focused on meat and fish; strict vegan diets are difficult to accommodate.