Page 268 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Alaska

266  TR A VELERS ’ NEEDS

Cycling and
Mountain Biking
In the summer, cycling and
mountain biking are popular
activities, but cyclists must be
prepared to encounter animals,
traffic, and narrow shoulders on
most paved highways. The
Copper River Highway (see p123),
the Denali Highway (see p165),
the extensive routes on Prince
of Wales Island (see pp132–3),
and the Edgerton Highway/
McCarthy Road (see p187) are
among the best, most scenic Rafting on the Chilkoot River near Skagway
routes. Biking is allowed on
most trails in the Chugach and Guides are among Alaska’s transport, and guides. Anadyr
Tongass National Forests and on oldest adventure companies, Adventures and Prince William
limited routes in the state parks. offering statewide packages. Sound Kayak Center offer trips
Alaskabike, Alaska Backcountry Talkeetna River Guides rafts around Prince William Sound,
Bike Tours, and Backroads offer rivers in the Interior. Arctic Wild while Alaska Canoe and
guided cycling tours all over runs rivers in the Brooks Range. Campground and True North
Alaska. Anchorage’s Downtown For a more contemplative, Kayak Adventures operate
Bicycle Rentals and Pablo’s secluded experience, canoe on the Kenai Peninsula, with
Bicycle Rentals hire out bicycles. trips of a day or more are Sunny Cove Sea Kayaking
The Arctic Bicycle Club offers possible on many of Alaska’s specializing in Kenai Fjords
information on cycling, moun- lake and river systems, such as National Park. Good Southeast
tain biking, and organized rides. the Lynx Lake Loop (see p160) Alaska specialists include
north of Anchorage and the Glacier Bay Sea Kayaks in
Kenai Peninsula’s Swan Lakes Gustavus, Sitka Sound Ocean
Rafting and Canoeing Loop (see p109). Adventures, and Southeast
For most people, the appeal of Sea Kayaks in Ketchikan.
a whitewater trip lies in running
the rapids. Rapids are graded Ocean Kayaking Tours
Class I to V, but any thing above One of the best ways to see
Class III will need good white- Alaska’s sheltered coastal areas is Visitors who prefer organized
water skills, while Class V will by kayak, providing easy access activities can select from a
need an expert guide. The most to remote beaches in Southeast range of operators. In the
popular riv ers, and the easiest to Alaska, Prince William Sound, Southeast, Alaska Waters
access, include the Nenana the Kenai Fjords, and other well- organizes a variety of tours,
River (see p172) and the Chulitna sheltered waterways. On fine Breakaway Adventures offers
River near Denali National Park, days, the scenery is spectacular, jet boat rides, Allen Marine
the upper Kenai River (see p100), and there is a chance of spotting Tours, Juneau Whale Watch,
the Matanuska River, the Eagle marine wildlife. Thorough and Kenai Fjords Tours arrange
River near Anchorage, and Six preparation is essential, and a whale-watching tours, Coastal
Mile Creek south of Anchorage. number of companies hire out Helicopters sets up glacier
Nova River Rafters and Chilkat gear and offer instruction, kayak tours, and Chilkoot Charters
and Tours runs fishing trips.
Phillips Cruises and Tours
(see p118) and Glacier Wildlife
Cruises offer tours in Prince
William Sound, while Glacier
Bay Tours explores Glacier Bay
National Park. Katmailand runs
freshwater sportfishing trips
and Kenai Fjords Tours offers
wildlife cruises. K2 Aviation has
flightseeing tours over Denali,
and the Northern Alaska Tour
Company offers visits to the
Arctic. St. Paul Island Tours
and Wilderness Birding
Adventures lead birdwatching
Kayakers preparing to set off, Whittier trips in western Alaska.

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