Cycling through the Matanuska Valley

Alaska Bikes & Beers

Classic Inn to Inn ✦ 10 days ✦ Moderate ✦  From $5795
An innovator, Alaska cycling tours since 1988

Alaska Cycling & Craft Beer Tasting

Combine stunning Alaskan scenery with the state's thriving craft beer scene on our Alaska Bike & Beer Tour! This unique adventure takes you on a cycling journey through breathtaking wilderness, charming towns, and iconic landscapes, with the added bonus of sampling hand-picked local brews each evening. From lush forests and towering peaks to serene lakes and vast tundra, this Alaska bicycle tour offers a feast for the eyes and the palate.

Our adventure begins with a ride through poplar forests to the historic town of Palmer, where we'll enjoy our first craft beer tasting. We'll then cycle to the eclectic town of Talkeetna, the inspiration for "Northern Exposure," and home to the renowned Denali Brewery. The dramatic landscapes of Denali State Park await us as we pedal towards Denali National Park, with opportunities to spot wildlife and marvel at the majestic Denali (formerly Mt. McKinley). We'll even have a free day to explore Denali at our leisure, perhaps taking a tour deep into the park or enjoying some white-water rafting.

The highlight of our tour is a ride along the Denali Highway, one of the world's most scenic roads, offering unparalleled views of the Alaska Range. We'll also cycle along the historic Richardson Highway, passing by the Wrangell Mountains and staying at Alaska's oldest operating roadhouse. As we pedal through tundra and lush forests, we'll encounter stunning vistas of the Chugach Mountains and the Matanuska Glacier. Each evening, we'll relax and savor the flavors of Alaskan craft beer, making this tour a true celebration of both adventure and local culture. Join us for one of Alaska's best bicycle tours and experience the magic of the 49th state!

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Alaska Bikes & Beers
rides: 30 to 65 kms
sleep: boutique inns
eat: best regional cuisine

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18 May 2025
1 Jun 2025
13 Jul 2025
7 Sep 2025

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Latitude 62 Lodge in Talkeetna, booze beds and burgers bicyclists in Matanuska Valley Wrangell volcano behind fireweed flowers along Alaska roadside sampling Alaska craft beers on lodge porch infamous Wal*Mikes in Trapper Creek the bar at Gakona Lodge, oldest operating roadhouse
 

Alaska bicycle tour day by day details  

day 1: Historic Palmer & Poplar Forests – A Warm Welcome to Alaska
  • Warm-up ride to Palmer
  • Exploring the historic town
  • First craft beer tasting at a local brewpub
Meet your fellow cycling and beer enthusiasts at the Puffin Inn Hotel this morning, ready for an Alaskan adventure! We'll head north to the Old Glenn Highway, where we'll hop on our bikes for a leisurely warmup ride to the historic town of Palmer. This charming town, established during the Great Depression as an agricultural community, is a delightful place to explore. Our hotel, a part of the original township, adds to the historical charm. Our first round of Alaskan craft beer tastings awaits us at the town's brewpub.
 Ride: 20 mi / 35 km, Land: flat
Eat: Dinner
Sleep: The Colony Inn  
 
day 2: Talkeetna & Denali Brewery – Eclectic Charm & Renowned Brews
  • Cycling from Willow through aspen and poplar forests
  • Exploring the quirky town of Talkeetna
  • Enjoying craft beers at Denali Brewing
Let the riding begin! Today’s route takes us north, starting on smooth bike paths from the charming village of Willow. We'll cycle through a lush tapestry of aspen and poplar forests, a vibrant green backdrop to our Alaskan bike tour, eventually arriving in the eclectic town of Talkeetna, our home for the night. This historic railroad town, rumored to be the inspiration for Cicely in the TV series *Northern Exposure*, is also home to the renowned Denali Brewing.
 Ride: 56 mi / 90 km, Land: rolling terrain
Eat: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sleep: Latitude 62 Lodge  
 
day 3: Denali State Park & a Historic Homestead – Majestic Views & Rustic Charm
  • Cycling through Denali State Park
  • Visiting Wal Mike's
  • Staying at a historic homestead with stunning Denali views
The dramatic landscapes of the Alaska Range beckon us further north today as we pedal through Denali State Park. Keep an eye out for the quirky roadside attraction, "Wal Mike's," a truly unique experience. Our lodge tonight is simple yet comfortable, a historic homestead built before roads reached Denali National Park, offering breathtaking views of Denali. (Keywords: Alaska's best bicycle tours, guided bicycle tours)
 Ride: 50 mi / 80 km, Land: rolling hills
Eat: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sleep: McKinley View Lodge  
 
day 4: Denali National Park & Broad Pass – Alpine Landscapes & 49th State Brewing
  • Cycling to Broad Pass
  • Enjoying views of the Alaska Range
  • Dinner and tasting at 49th State Brewing in Denali Village
Denali National Park awaits! Our final ride along the Parks Highway takes us "up and over" Broad Pass into the heart of the Alaska Mountain Range. Don't worry about a challenging climb – the route follows the rail line, ensuring a gentle ascent. We'll end our ride in Cantwell and then shuttle into Denali Village, our base for the next two nights. Dinner and a tasting await us at the 49th State Brewing.
 Ride: 75 mi / 120 km, Land: rolling hills
Eat: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sleep: Denali Crows Nest  
 
day 5: Denali Exploration – A Day of Your Own
  • Free day to explore Denali National Park
  • Whitewater rafting opportunities
Today is yours to explore Denali National Park at your own pace. Choose from informative tours deep into the park's wilderness, hop on a shuttle bus (bikes are welcome!), try whitewater rafting, or simply relax and wander around Denali Village. While there's no organized tasting tonight, the hotel bar boasts a great selection of Alaskan brews.
 Relax: Free day to explore
Eat: on your own
Sleep: Denali Crows Nest  
 
day 6: Denali Highway – A Scenic Masterpiece
  • Cycling the Denali Highway
  • Breathtaking views of the Alaska Range
After breakfast, we shuttle back to Cantwell to begin our ride along the Denali Highway, a route consistently ranked among the world's most scenic drives. This highway traverses the southern foothills of the Alaska Range, offering unparalleled vistas. The road starts paved but transitions to a well-maintained dirt surface. Our destination is the Susitna River crossing (which we glimpsed back in Talkeetna), and the day's mileage is flexible to accommodate the group's preferences. We'll shuttle the final leg to our lodge on the historic Richardson Highway. (Keywords: cycling holidays in Alaska, adventure travel in Alaska)
 Ride: 55 mi / 88 km, Land: mostly downhill
Eat: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sleep: Meiers Lake Roadhouse  
 
day 7: Richardson Highway & Gakona Lodge – Alaskan History & Hospitality
  • Cycling along the historic Richardson Highway
  • Views of tundra and the Wrangell Mountains
  • Overnight stay at the historic Gakona Lodge
Our day begins on the Richardson Highway, Alaska's first constructed road. Enjoy a mostly downhill cruise with vast tundra dotted with lakes to your right, and the impressive volcanic peaks of the Wrangell Mountains emerging on your left. Tonight, we'll stay at Alaska's oldest operating roadhouse, the historic Gakona Lodge, built in 1929.
 Ride: 43 mi / 69 km, Land: mostly downhill
Eat: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sleep: Gakona Lodge  
 
day 8: Glenn Highway & Lake Louise – Tundra Landscapes & Lakeside Relaxation
  • Cycling through Alaskan tundra
  • Enjoying brews with a lakeside view
Leaving Gakona, we'll pass through Glennallen, a community at the junction of the Richardson and Glenn Highways. A combination gas station and beer store just outside of town ensures we're well-stocked! Today's ride showcases the vast Alaskan tundra, a landscape of flatlands punctuated by countless lakes. We'll settle in for the night on the shores of Lake Louise, surrounded by distant mountain ranges – a 360-degree masterpiece. Sample local brews while relaxing on the porch overlooking the lake.
 Ride: 62 mi / 100 km, Land: rolling hills
Eat: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sleep: Lake Louise Lodge  
 
day 9: Glenn Highway & Sheep Mountain – Chugach Mountains & Matanuska Glacier
  • Cycling the Glenn Highway
  • Views of the Chugach and Talkeetna Ranges
Our final day of riding takes us further along the Glenn Highway. We'll ascend Eureka Summit, a long, gradual incline offering stunning views of the Chugach Mountains to the south and the Alaska and Talkeetna Ranges to the north. From the summit, it's a rolling downhill to our tour's end at Sheep Mountain. Relax in your cabins with the Chugach Mountains and the Matanuska Glacier right outside your door. (Keywords: Alaska's best bicycle tours)
 Ride: 62 mi / 100 km, Land: slow climb, then rolling downhill
Eat: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sleep: Sheep Mountain Lodge  
 
day 10: Independence Mine & Transfer to Anchorage – Gold Rush History & Farewell
  • Visiting Independence Mine Historical Park
  • Learning about Alaska's gold rush history
  • Transfer to Anchorage Airport
After a leisurely breakfast, we bid farewell to our Alaskan cycling adventure and begin our drive back to Anchorage. We'll break up the journey with a visit to Independence Mine Historical Park, a glimpse into Alaska's gold rush era. We'll say our final goodbyes at Anchorage Airport in mid-afternoon.
 Walk: 3 mi / 5 km, Land: rocky
Travel: Shuttle to airport
 
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Whatcha gonna get

  • Expert local guides
  • Entrance and activity fees**
  • Handpicked lodges, ensuite rooms, double occupancy
  • Daily breakfast, lunch, snacks*
  • Dinners featuring fine local cuisine*
  • Unlimited drinking water
  • Support van for baggage and lifts
  • Free use of bicycles
  • Airport pick up & drop off

*as noted in itinerary
**does not include entry fee for Denali National Park

Dietary Notice: This tour is not vegetarian friendly. Some of the remote lodges we use have very limited menus which focus on meat and fish. Our apologies.

Getting there

The Alaska Bikes & Beer Tour meets and ends in Anchorage Alaska. Guides will meet guests in the lobby of the Puffin Inn at 10am. Airport pick up at 8am can be arranged upon request.

Guests should plan their flights to arrive in Anchorage before 7:00 (7 am) on Day 1 of the tour and their departing flights after 17:00 (5 pm) on Day 10.

Anchorage Airport code: ANC     Local Time: GMT-9

  Travel Tip:   Most flights to Anchorage arrive in the afternoon and evening, so most guests will need to fly in the day before.

 

Documents Please

For our international adventurers, a passport is a must! U.S. travelers, you're all set—just pack your sense of adventure. If you're coming from abroad, be sure to check visa requirements in advance.

Alaskan Craft Beers

A sampling of brews from Alaska's many varied craft breweries happens each evening before dinner. Some nights we will enjoy a tasting on our lodge's porch, other nights a flite at the local brew pub. Most evenings will focus on the brews from a single brewery.


glasses with Alaska craft beers for tasting

 

Frontier Grub & Gourmet Cuisine

Dining on our Alaska trips is one of contrasts. Some evenings our remote lodges offer frontier grub, hearty family cooking that is heavy on meats, fish and potatoes, similar to what early residents survived on. Other nights we dine on outstanding culinary treats with salmon, halibut, garden fresh salads, delightful homemade deserts.

Travelers considering the trip need to be aware that the tour is not vegetarian friendly, as choices at remote lodges may be limited to salad and fries for non meat or fish eaters.

Good Gear

Pedalers provides Fuji Sportif, a lightweight, touring road bike. The bikes are equipped with beefier tires to handle Alaskan roads, disc brakes, dropbars and a wide range of gearing for the rolling terrain.

As a safe health measure, guests are asked to bring their own helmets and waterbottles for cycling.


Fuji Sportif rental bikes

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