800 Kilometres of Absolute Freedom

~ Words by Vickie Sam Paget, Sky Blue Content ~

Get on track to see the very best of Alaska

Undoubtedly offering some of the most spectacular rail journeys in the world, the Alaska Railroad route spans more than 800 breathtaking kilometres through the wilds of Seward to Denali National Park and then on to Fairbanks.

Travellers journey through alpine forests and coastal regions and traverse two major mountain ranges – in a land that’s twice the size of Texas.

During the summer, the trains run daily to and from eight major stops, while during the winter, they run between Anchorage and Fairbanks on weekends.

There are a few levels of service available, from premium ‘GoldStar’ in double-deck dome cars on the railroad’s Denali Star and Coastal Classic services during the summer, to the comfortable ‘Adventure Class’ with its grand picture windows and open air vestibules. And, of course, each of the railroad’s five trains serves up a simply spectacular feast of wildlife watching.

Coastal Classic Train
This local favourite ushers adventure-seekers through the remote wilderness between Anchorage and Seward. This train travels to the shores of Resurrection Bay for whale watching and tidewater glacier viewing in Kenai Fjords National Park. It has – unsurprisingly – been voted one of the top train rides in the world.

Glacier Discovery Train
This train travels from Anchorage south along the Cook Inlet to Whittier before winding through the scenic Spencer Glacier and Grandview regions. It connects to Prince William Sound and the remote river valley of Spencer Glacier, which offers a wealth of fascinating day tours. The unique partnership between the Alaska Railroad and the U.S. Forest Service means that there are plenty of camping and hiking opportunities.

Denali Star Train
This train links Anchorage to Fairbanks with stops in Wasilla, Talkeetna and the Denali National Park and Preserve. The 573-kilometre route features spectacular scenery, such as Hurricane Gulch, where passengers travel across one of the world’s largest single-span bridges. This is the railroad’s most popular journey and it features frequent views of mighty Mount McKinley.

Hurricane Flagstop
The flagstop runs 88 kilometres between Talkeetna and Hurricane, with plenty of stops in this area that is only accessible by rail. The service allows passengers to get on and off the train anywhere they like. Aboard this train there’s a good chance to chat with Alaskans who live in the wilderness and to glimpse some of the most remote territory on the Alaska Railroad.

Aurora Winter Train
Travellers on this journey traverse the Alaska Range and are rewarded with stunning views and panoramic vistas, wildlife, incredible river valleys and rocky gorges. The train passes through the Denali National Park and by Mount McKinley, North America’s tallest peak. It operates mid-September through to mid-May.

Image: Alaska Railroad/Glenn Aronwits
This branded content first appeared in Canadian Traveller magazine.