With one minor, exception (Stikine River), I have personally flown each of these routes. I have pictures which I happily share on the respective route pages of each route. I welcome your route input and pictures–I will give you credit for any input via email tips or phone calls.
The only short section I haven’t flown (yet) is the Iskut & Stikine rivers from Bob Quinn field to Wrangell Island. That section is on my to do list!
This section covers principal routes to/from Alaska. Dashed lines represent options off of the principal routes. Each of these routes is covered individually. For reference: Blue = Alaska Hwy; Green = The Trench; Red = “Skagway North”; Orange = Coast; ….
Please refer to the individual menu/section for detailed comments, tips and personal experience notes.
YouTube Route Overview
As part of a weekly webinar series sponsored by SuperCub.org, I did a presentation covering this website, specifically covering “Routes to Alaska” and related comments. You can view the YouTube presentation at this link.
Route Options & Advice From Personal Experience
To be sure, regardless of route you select, and which weather dictates, you will see wonderful scenery. Your experience will be breathtaking.
While there are well-known “main” routes you’ve likely read about (e.g. The Trench, Alaska Hwy, Coast) there are endless options which offer notable landmarks (e.g. Headwaters of the Yukon river; Malaspina Glacier: largest piedmont glacier in the world) which beckon you to visit. You can start out on one route and switch midway to another–if weather allows.
Again, weather often dictates the route. I really got skunked in 2022–I wanted to get to my favorite section Skagway N along the coast–but that was not in the cards. Several points: Be flexible on route; Be flexible on time (trip length). Sometimes the weather is MUCH better up the Alaskan highway; Sometimes the Trench works; Maybe parts of the coastal route will allow passage. Sit and wait for your preferred weather (everyone has different weather minimums). Or switch from one route to another (if you can).
Routes Overview Image (click for full-screen version)
