Seward Scenic Highway Anchorage Seward
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert René Plücken (MRA Master)
Last edit: 28-09-2025
Route Summary This scenic highway runs from Seward to Anchorage and is 201 km (125 miles).
Completed in 1951, it passes through the scenic Kenai Peninsula, Chugach National Forest, Turnagain Arm, and the Kenai Mountains. Beautiful roads, stunning panoramas, stunning scenery, and many scenic stops along the way.
This review covers the trip from Anchorage to Seward, as there are more motorcycle rental options in Anchorage.
It is actually a 2 or maybe even 3 day round trip and because the return trip follows the same route, you can divide the stops at the many sights over the outward and return journey.
I rate this route 5*****Stars, although the roads are not spectacular, this is more than compensated for by the beautiful scenery and the many interesting and beautiful sights along the way.
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Animation
Verdict
Duration
7h 36m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
239.20 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review This route starts at Eaglerider Motorcycle rentals in Anchorage. We ride past Delaney Park, where you'll see Alaska Railroad No. 556 Steam Locomotive on your right. This locomotive is one of twelve "Gypsy Rose" locomotives (named after a famous burlesque dancer) sent to Alaska in 1943 to transport passengers and freight along the Seward-Anchorage-Fairbanks route. It has been a permanent landmark in the park since 1959. A nice stop for a photo.
After driving about 15 kilometers through the city, we turn onto the Seward Highway. The Seward Highway follows the dramatic coastline of Turnagain Arm, arguably one of the most beautiful stretches of highway in America. The mountains of Chugach State Park, reaching up to 900 meters in height, lie to your left, and Turnagain Arm lies to your right. This road winds along this beautiful waterway; it's one of two narrow arms on the north side of Cook Inlet, the other being Knik Arm. Turnagain Arm experiences extreme temperatures and large tidal ranges. Around every bend, you can enjoy a different picturesque panorama. There are plenty of parking areas and viewpoints along the route to enjoy the views.
The Seward Highway has a lot to offer. Below are some interesting route points. More information can be found in the link at the bottom of this review.
The Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge, Potter Marsh Viewing Boardwalk. Here you'll find one of the most accessible nature reserves in Alaska. The marsh is a haven for migratory birds, beavers, moose, and bald eagles. You can even see salmon spawning in the deeper water. A boardwalk leads you through this beautiful nature reserve.
The Potter Section House. This is a historic site featuring a restored house and outbuildings that were once part of a railroad section camp that maintained the 10 miles of track. The Chugach State Park headquarters are located in the house. The train car is the Kenai Visitor Center.
McHugh Creek Day: From the parking lot, it's a short walk to a beautiful 20-foot waterfall. There's also a trailhead with several short trails leading to various viewpoints offering better views of Turnagain Arm and the mountains.
Beluga Point Viewpoint. This is a popular stop along the Seward Highway. Here you'll find a 180-degree view of Turnagain Arm. It's an excellent spot for tide watching. The incoming tide stretches across the entire width of Turnagain Arm and can reach nearly 7 feet (2 meters) high when it hits. Watch the kayakers and surfers ride the wave for several miles. And you might even spot a few beluga whales rolling in the surf.
The Indian Valley Mine offers visitors the opportunity to pan for gold, visit a mini-museum and gift shop, or simply relax in one of the rocking chairs and enjoy the panoramic view of the Turnagain Arm. The Indian Valley Mine played a significant role in the early settlement of the Turnagain Arm. It was founded in 1910 by a drifter who ran away from home at the age of 12, joined a circus, and eventually traveled to Alaska during the Gold Rush.
Bird Creek is a must-stop; it's a place you won't want to miss. From July to September, you can see spectacular runs of silver salmon. Fishermen from all over the world come to Alaska to fish here, so some days it gets very busy.
Bird Point, another great stop to enjoy the scenic beauty of the mountains and Turnagain Arm. You can choose to hike the Bird to Gird trailhead here. It's about 9km, but you'll be rewarded with stunning views.
Lunch is planned at the Alyeska Ski Resort, a perfect spot to stop for lunch, as there are several restaurants and cafes to choose from. You can also take a walk and enjoy the surroundings.
We continue along Turnagain Arm to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. This 500-acre reserve offers an up-close look at Alaska's wildlife. The center's mission is to provide a home for orphaned, injured, and sick animals that can no longer survive in the wild. Opened to the public in 1993, the center educates visitors about Alaska's wildlife. You can see coyotes, eagles, grizzly bears, bison, and many more animals. Admission is $27; they also offer a 90-minute tour for $125, where you can see and learn even more about the animals and the sanctuary.
We briefly depart the Seward Highway to visit Portage Valley, which offers numerous adventures, including biking, hiking, picnicking, fishing, paddling, wildlife viewing, and possible iceberg sightings, plus the Begich Boggs Visitor Center. This center offers a unique opportunity to learn about the Chugach National Forest, America's northernmost national forest. Award-winning exhibits, educational presentations, the film "Retreat and Renewal: Stories from Alaska's Chugach National Forest," and information services are available to the public. During the summer season, Forest Service Interpreters present free campfire programs at the Williwaw Campground. These programs focus on salmon, bears, and cultural heritage. Forest Service interpreters offer guided hikes on the Byron Glacier Trail, weather permitting during the summer season.
We'll briefly stop at the "Welcome to Alaska's Kenai Peninsula" sign to take a photo and then drive the last stretch through the beautiful mountains on a winding road to Seward, the end of the day. Along the way, you'll pass several beautiful lakes, so take your time and stop occasionally to enjoy the stunning panoramas.
After an overnight stay in Seward, you'll drive the same route back to Anchorage. This gives you a completely different perspective on this beautiful drive along the Turnagain Arm.
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Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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Alaska
About this region
Alaska ( Aleut: Alax̂sxax̂; Inupiaq: Alaasikaq; Alutiiq: Alas'kaaq; Yup'ik: Alaskaq; Tlingit: Anáaski) is a U.S. state at the northwest extremity of North America. A semi-exclave of the U.S., it borders the Canadian province of British Columbia and the territory of Yukon to the east and has a maritime border with Russia's Chukotka Autonomous Okrug to the west, just across the Bering Strait. To the north are the Chukchi and Beaufort seas of the Arctic Ocean, while the Pacific Ocean lies to the south and southwest.
Alaska is by far the largest U.S. state by area, comprising more total area than the next three largest states (Texas, California, and Montana) combined. It represents the seventh largest subnational division in the world. It is the third-least populous and the most sparsely populated state, but by far the continent's most populous territory located mostly north of the 60th parallel, with a population of 736,081 as of 2020—more than quadruple the combined populations of Northern Canada and Greenland. Approximately half of Alaska's residents live within the Anchorage metropolitan area. The state capital of Juneau is the second-largest city in the United States by area, comprising more territory than the states of Rhode Island and Delaware. The former capital of Alaska, Sitka, is the largest U.S. city by area.
Alaska was occupied by various indigenous peoples for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans. The state is considered the entry point for the settlement of North America by way of the Bering land bridge. The Russians were the first Europeans to settle the area beginning in the 18th century, eventually establishing Russian America, which spanned most of the current state. The expense and difficulty of maintaining this distant possession prompted its sale to the U.S. in 1867 for US$7.2 million (equivalent to $133 million in 2020), or approximately two cents per acre ($4.74/km2). The area went through several administrative changes before becoming organized as a territory on May 11, 1912. It was admitted as the 49th state of the U.S. on January 3, 1959.While it has one of the smallest state economies in the country, Alaska's per capita income is among the highest, owing to a diversified economy dominated by fishing, natural gas, and oil, all of which it has in abundance. United States armed forces bases and tourism are also a significant part of the economy; more than half the state is federally owned public land, including a multitude of national forests, national parks, and wildlife refuges.
The indigenous population of Alaska is proportionally the highest of any U.S. state, at over 15 percent. Close to two dozen native languages are spoken, and Alaskan Natives exercise considerable influence in local and state politics.
Read more on Wikipedia
Alaska is by far the largest U.S. state by area, comprising more total area than the next three largest states (Texas, California, and Montana) combined. It represents the seventh largest subnational division in the world. It is the third-least populous and the most sparsely populated state, but by far the continent's most populous territory located mostly north of the 60th parallel, with a population of 736,081 as of 2020—more than quadruple the combined populations of Northern Canada and Greenland. Approximately half of Alaska's residents live within the Anchorage metropolitan area. The state capital of Juneau is the second-largest city in the United States by area, comprising more territory than the states of Rhode Island and Delaware. The former capital of Alaska, Sitka, is the largest U.S. city by area.
Alaska was occupied by various indigenous peoples for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans. The state is considered the entry point for the settlement of North America by way of the Bering land bridge. The Russians were the first Europeans to settle the area beginning in the 18th century, eventually establishing Russian America, which spanned most of the current state. The expense and difficulty of maintaining this distant possession prompted its sale to the U.S. in 1867 for US$7.2 million (equivalent to $133 million in 2020), or approximately two cents per acre ($4.74/km2). The area went through several administrative changes before becoming organized as a territory on May 11, 1912. It was admitted as the 49th state of the U.S. on January 3, 1959.While it has one of the smallest state economies in the country, Alaska's per capita income is among the highest, owing to a diversified economy dominated by fishing, natural gas, and oil, all of which it has in abundance. United States armed forces bases and tourism are also a significant part of the economy; more than half the state is federally owned public land, including a multitude of national forests, national parks, and wildlife refuges.
The indigenous population of Alaska is proportionally the highest of any U.S. state, at over 15 percent. Close to two dozen native languages are spoken, and Alaskan Natives exercise considerable influence in local and state politics.
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