Recently Viewed
Fat Tire Biking Tour: Chugach State Park Adventure with Wildlife Spotting
4.9
20 Ratings
Anchorage
Embark on a thrilling fat tire biking tour in Chugach State Park, Alaska. Explore the stunning mountains, spot wildlife, and learn about the region's natural and human history.
Duration:
3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Glen Alps Trailhead Rest Area - Begin your cycling journey at the Glen Alps Trailhead adjacent to Flat Top Mountain. Take in the view of the surroundings before being equipped with your bicycle and accessories, then commence your excursion.
- Chugach Foothills Park - Cycle through Chugach State Park, traversing the valley’s base.
What's Included
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Local and experienced biking guide
- Pickup and drop-off from downtown Anchorage
- Small-group tour for a personalized experience
- Comprehensive bike tour package: includes bike, helmet, rain gear, and biking gloves
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Note: this not an e-bike tour
Additional Information
Venture beyond the city limits of Anchorage and immerse yourself in the mountainous landscape, guided by a local expert. Journey a short 30-minute drive to the Flattop Scenic Overlook situated in Glen Alps. From this vista, located 2,000 feet above sea level, take in the stunning panoramas of Anchorage and the Cook Inlet. Your guide will highlight and identify various fascinating landmarks visible from this viewpoint. They will properly outfit you with a biking helmet and a bike suited for the mountain terrain. The group will then embark on a biking adventure on a spacious dual-track trail comprised of dirt and gravel. The fat tire bikes, equipped with 5 inch tires, provide remarkable stability, comfort, and an exciting ride.
The valley’s ecosystem is brimming with diverse wildlife, including moose, bears, and ptarmigan, while the mountain ranges provide habitats for Dall sheep and wolves. As you traverse this rustic terrain, you’ll also be enlightened on the Chugach Mountains’ natural and anthropological history. Five miles into the valley, you’ll notice the city and its inhabitants recede into the backdrop. During a peaceful rest stop beside a quaint mountain lake, listen to the ambient sounds of ground squirrels and chirping birds before making the journey back.
- Closed toe shoes required
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- A maximum of 6 people per booking
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Minimum age is 14 years
Location
Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center
West 7th Avenue
600 W 7th Ave
Please meet us at the shuttle bus stop outside the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center in downtown Anchorage. The address is 600 W 7th Ave. The van or truck will say Alaska Trail Guides on the side and will have a vertical bike rack. Note: this not an e-bike tour.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(20 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Abigailq116
Jun 19, 2023
Great time! - We had a fantastic time! Pick up
Was easy, the bike ride was very enjoyable, the guides were knowledgeable, and overall it was just a very well run outing. We had some snow on the trail towards the end but still was able to have a good time .
Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michael_b
Aug 5, 2022
Carl was a wonderful... - Carl was a wonderful guide, bikes and other equipment was top notch. Learned a great deal about the park, trail was hilly, rocky, and windy. This made for a very exciting ride. Great job of managing stops/rest points to take in the beautiful scenery and to catch our breath. Our family loved this excursion!
Review provided by Viator
Gmiker
Aug 1, 2022
Fun and Exhilarating - This was our inaugural fat bike ride. We had a fun exhilarating beautiful ride in the Chugach mountains. There was cloud cover early and it cleared up for the ride back. We were surrounded by beautiful views. Carl provided excellent guidance and short stories about the plants, wildlife and riding. He takes great pics too. We highly recommend this trip, guide and area. Enjoy !!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Coastal825822
Jul 7, 2022
Picture Perfect Day - Much Mahalo to our outstanding guide Elly from Alaska Trail Guides. 🤗🤗🤗
I shared this awesome adventure with Rick and Sarah from Wisconsin; both were seasoned bikers. Unfortunately, I haven’t been on a serious bike ride for 25+ years; not to mention mountain biking!!! 😬🙄😲
Elly was very patient and understanding of my skill level and made it an adventure to remember. 🤙👍👏
My only question was the tour description from Viator:
Overview: Embark on a 12-mile bike ride through Chugach State Park during this half-day small-group tour from Anchorage. Take in the beautiful views of the Alaskan scenery and keep an eye out for native wildlife such as moose, bald eagles, and bears. Learn about the natural history of the Chugach Mountains from your guide and enjoy a delicious picnic lunch before descending the mountain to end your tour. Take a half-day bike tour from Anchorage to the Chugach Mountains Bike 12 miles through Chugach State Park and discover its history Keep an eye out for native wildlife such as moose, bald eagles, and bears Enjoy a personalized experience during this small-group excursion
Was it due to time constraints or my skill level holding the group back that we didn’t enjoy a delicious picnic lunch? Ha Ha
Otherwise; everything described on the tour was spot on.
Much Mahalo, Ivan “I can’t walk straignt for a Week” Young 🤙🐱🐱🐾😎
Make Everyday a GREAT Day
Malama Pono--Take Care of Yourself
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amybb366jx
Sep 13, 2021
Great trail, amazing views, fresh blueberries and MOOSE! - The views in Chugach State Park were amazing, but I enjoyed the deep reds and bright yellows of the changing tundra plants just as much. We biked to an alpine lake with crystal clear water. Our guide, Caitlin, knew where to look for blueberries and we stopped to pick and eat blueberries along the way and again at the lake. Caitlin also had an eye to see wildlife that I would have missed. On the way down she spied a bull and cow moose grazing together in the valley below us. If we go back to Anchorage I would like to do this ride again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
D7909sramyc
Sep 7, 2021
We saw a moose! - My husband and I visited Alaska for our honeymoon and loved it. When we went on the bike tour it was raining and still so fun; I'd say the rain added an extra element of excitement. It was definitely a workout, but worth the views!
Our guides were super knowledgeable, and were able to answer most of our many questions regarding Alaskan outdoors. They picked us up downtown and were able to drop back off where they picked us up.
All in all, we biked 8-9 miles into the park, were able to experience the outdoors quite a bit, and we saw a moose! 10/10 would recommend.
I would also recommend wearing pants/leggings and a jacket if you are sensitive to poison oak/ivy. Alaska has their own variety (cow parsnip - reactive when exposed to sunlight) that lined the trails we biked on.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marjan_w
Aug 4, 2021
Great bike ride - Family of four, had a great time riding the bike through the park, It was beautiful and scenic.
Guide was very friendly and accommodating.
Review provided by Viator
Tammy-crisp
Jul 30, 2021
A great way to spend the day - This was so much fun!! We had never mountain biked, but what am amazing first experience!
Our guide Caitlyn was the best!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bdelsavio
Jul 27, 2021
Great Way to Start Alaska - This was the first activity we did after arriving in Alaska. Even though it was cold and drizzling and we are not expert mountain bikers, it was awesome. Our guide Maggie was the best. She was patient and had fun facts about living in Alaska . We had so much fun!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kellyamavisca
Sep 11, 2023
Be prepared - Read the description carefully for this tour. It requires strong physical fitness and a familiarity with mountain biking in cold weather (we went in mid September). You will be biking up and down very rocky and wet terrain. I would not recommend this tour past August. We went mid September and it was very wet and cold (even with layers and rain gear). Even with cold weather gloves on my hands and wool socks on my feet, my fingers went numb from the cold and i could not feel my toes and fingers and could not work the bike gears or break. After about half way in, my husband and I had to turn back. Also, this late in the year, the trails are over grown with alder brush which made it hard to navigate.
On the upside, the guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. You will absolutely see some beautiful terrain and wildlife. Just be prepared for a true mountain trail bike experience.
Review provided by Viator
