Segward Scenic Highway Anchorage Seward
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert René Plücken (MRA Master)
Last edit: 12-02-2021
Route Summary
We drive on the famous The Seward Highway, a National Forest Scenic Highway in Alaska. This scenic highway runs from Seward to Anchorage and is 201 km (125 miles).
It was completed in 1951 and runs through the scenic Kenai Peninsula, Chugach National Forest, Turnagain Arm and Kenai Mountains. Beautiful roads, beautiful panoramas, beautiful nature and many beautiful stops along the way.
This review describes the drive from Anchorage to Seward, because there are more possibilities to rent a motorcycle in Anchorage.
It is actually a trip of 2 or maybe even 3 days there and back and because the ride goes back along the same route you can divide the stops at the many sights on the outward and return journey.
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Animation
Verdict
Duration
3h 12m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
234.71 km
Countries
Segard Highway
RouteXpert Review
There are several motorbike rental companies in Anchorage, these are marked with a POI. This route starts at Eaglerider Motorcycle rentals, we drive past the Delaney park where you will find the Alaska Railroad no. 556 Steam Locomotive on your right. This locomotive is one of the twelve "Gypsy Rose" locomotives (named after a famous burlesque dancer) that were sent to Alaska in 1943 to transport passengers and cargo along the Seward-Anchorage-Fairbanks route. It has been a permanent monument in the park since 1959.
After driving about 15 kilometers through the city we turn onto the Seward Highway at RP6. The Seward Highway follows the dramatic shorelines of Turnagain Arm, perhaps one of the most beautiful stretches of highway in America. The up to 900 meters high mountains of the Chugach State Park are on your left and on the right is the Turnagain Arm. This road winds along this beautiful waterway, it is one of the two narrow branches on the north side of Cook Inlet, the other is Knik Arm. Turnagain Arm is subject to extreme temperatures and large tidal differences. After each turn you can enjoy another picturesque panorama. Along the route there are many parking spaces and viewpoints to enjoy the view.
Below a detailed description of a number of interesting route points;
RP7, The next turn is the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge - Potter Marsh viewing Boardwalk. Here you will find one of the most accessible nature reserves in Alaska. The swamp is a resting area for migratory birds, beavers, moose and bald eagles. You can even see salmon spawning in the deeper water. You walk on a boardwalk through this beautiful nature reserve.
At RP8 we come to the Potter Section House. This is a historic site with a restored house and the outbuildings that were once part of a railroad camp that maintained the 10 miles of railroad tracks. The main office of Chugach State Park is located in the house. The train carriage is the Kenai visitor center.
At RP10 we briefly stop at McHugh Creek Day, from the parking lot it's a short walk to a beautiful waterfall of about 6 meters. There is also a trailhead with a number of small paths that go to different vantage points that offer a better view of the Turnagain Arm and the mountains.
At RP11 is the Beluga Point Viewpoint. This is a popular stop along the Seward Highway. Here you will find a 180 degree view of Turnagain Arm. This is an excellent place to watch the tide. The incoming tide extended over the entire width of Turnagain Arm and can be almost 2 meters high when it storms in. Watch the kayakers and surfers ride the wave for a few kilometers. And maybe you spot a few beluga whales that roll in the surf.
The next, slightly longer, stop is at Indian Valley Mine (RP12) and offers visitors the opportunity to wash gold, visit a mini museum and gift shop, or just sit back in one of the rocking chairs to enjoy the panoramic view of the Turnagain arm. The Indian Valley Mine played an important role in the early establishment of the Turnagain arm. Indian Valley Mine was founded in 1910 by a wanderer who ran away from home at the age of 12, joined the circus and eventually traveled to Alaska during the gold rush
At Bird Creek (RP13) you should definitely stop, this is a place that you do not want to miss. From July to September you can see spectacular run of Silver Salmon. Fishermen from all over the world come to Alaska to fish here, so it is very busy on some days.
Then RP14; Bird Point, another great stop to enjoy the scenic beauty of the mountains and the Turnagain Arm. You can choose to walk the Bird to Gird trail head here. It is approximately 9 km but you will be rewarded with a beautiful view.
Lunch is planned at RP15 in the Aleyska Ski resort, this is a perfect location to stop for lunch, as there is a choice of several restaurants and cafes. You can also take a walk here and enjoy the surroundings.
We continue along Turnagain Arm to RP16, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. In this 200-hectare reserve you can view the wildlife of Alaska up close. The mission of the center is to provide shelter to orphaned, injured and sick animals that can no longer survive in the wild. The center, which was opened to the public in 1993, informs visitors about Alaskan fauna. You can see coyotes, grizzly bears, eagles and many more animals here. Admission is 16 $
We leave the Segward Highway to visit the Portage Valley at RP17, which offers so many potential adventures such as cycling, hiking, picnics, fishing, paddling, wildlife viewing, possible sightings of icebergs, plus the Begich, Boggs visitor center. This center offers a unique opportunity to find out more about the Chugach National Forest, the farthest northern national forest in America. Award-winning exhibitions, educational presentations, the film "Retreat and Renewal: Stories from Alaska's Chugach National Forest" and information services are available to the public. Free campfire programs are presented by Forest Service Interpreters at Williwaw Campground during the summer season. These programs focus on salmon, bears and cultural heritage. Forest Service interpreters offer guided walks on the Byron Glacier Trail, if the weather conditions allow hiking during the summer season.
At RP18 we drive past the sign "Welcome to Alaska's Kenai Peninsula" and drive the last part through the beautiful mountains on a winding road to Segward, the end point of this day. Along the way you pass several beautiful lakes, so take your time and stop occasionally to enjoy the beautiful panoramas.
After an overnight stay in Segward you drive the same route back to Anchorage. This gives you a completely different perspective on this beautiful ride along the Turnagain Arm.
I rate this route with 5 ***** stars, although the roads are not spectacular, this is more than compensated for by the beautiful nature and the many interesting and beautiful sights along the way.
RP8 Seward Highway Turnagain Arm
RP12 Bird Point View point
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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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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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