Real Remote Adventure Travel - try Alaska’s Marine Highway

February 8, 2010

How would you like to travel along Alaska’s Marine Highway from Bellingham, Washington (90 minutes north of Seattle) to the outer islands on the Aleutian chain? This remarkable system of ferries connects 33 ports beginning in Bellingham; the Alaskan Marine Highway travels scenic coastal routes totaling over 8000 miles. From Washington State the ferries transport you first to Prince Rupert, British Columbia and on into Skagway, then across the Gulf of Alaska into Prince William Sound and finally out to Dutch Harbor at the tip of the Aleutian Chain. This is as close to Russia as you may ever get.

This part of the world attracts adventurous outdoor souls. Come prepared to enjoy small towns, the midnight sun and calving glaciers. You’ll undoubtedly get close to whales and bears. Marvel at the abundant birdlife.  Fish, bike, hike and sea kayak. There will be places where you’ll feel like the only living person on the planet. Enjoy the solitude but also the camraderie on the ferries.

Here are some facts and  ideas to make your trip planning easier.

  • Board as a foot passenger in Bellingham toting any outdoor playthings that will make this an adventure - backpacks, bikes and even sea kayaks plus your camera and binoculars. (Bikes and kayaks travel for an additional fee every step of the way.)
  • If you don’t mind camping on the ferry then a one way fare from Bellingham to Skagway will set you back $US363 and will take you a minimum of 67 hours. This is the famed Alaska Inside Passage which is dotted with cruise ships from May to October.
    • Sea Kayaking - Heading North Towards the Inside Passage

    Sea Kayaking - Heading North Towards the Inside Passage

  • The stopover points on your adventure may necessarily be many days in duration. The ferries leaving Skagway for points east are scheduled but often infrequent.
  • You can journey from  Skagway to Dutch Harbor stopping at a host of islands along the way. Below is a sampling of travel times and prices as you head east. There are many more spots and this is the sort of adventure where spontaneity and flexibility are important.
  1. Skagway to Juneau - 2-7 hours and $US 50
  2. Juneau to Whittier - 40 hours and $US 221
  3. Whittier to Kodiak - 22 hours and $US 91
  4. Kodiak to Chignik - 18 hours and $US 111
  5. Chignik to Cold Bay - 20 hours and $US 111
  6. Cold Bay to Dutch Harbor - 20 hours and $US 89

This is easily a summer long adventure, especially if you return  via ferry- though there are plenty of flights on Air Alaska to points south. This adventure is on my to do list in the not to distant future.

Leigh McAdam

www.hikebiketravel.com

Posted by Hike Bike Travel | Filed Under Adventure Travel Tours and Tips, Miscellaneous travel tips 

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