Alaska Divide

The Alaska Divide is an unsupported bikepacking adventure crossing the vast wilderness of Alaska, from Anchorage in the south to Deadhorse on the Arctic Ocean. Following remote highways and gravel roads through the Last Frontier, the route takes riders from the forested landscapes of southern Alaska, across the Alaska Range and into the Arctic tundra beyond the Arctic Circle.

The route covers approximately 1,700 km (1,056 miles) with 17,700 metres of elevation gain. Around 50% of the course is unpaved, combining gravel and dirt roads with sections of paved highway. One of the defining stretches is the Dalton Highway, a remote road originally built to support the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, where resupply opportunities are extremely limited.

Starting in Anchorage, riders travel north through the Denali region and across the remote Denali Highway before reaching Fairbanks. From there, the route follows the Elliott and Dalton Highways towards the Arctic Circle, crossing the Brooks Range and the challenging Atigun Pass before reaching Deadhorse near Prudhoe Bay.

There is no overall time limit, and riders must complete the journey entirely under their own power. The organiser provides the GPX route and live tracking but no logistical or on-route assistance. Participants are responsible for navigation, food, accommodation, repairs and emergency planning, making this a genuine test of self-reliance in one of North America’s most isolated environments.

Distance: 1,700 km / 1,056 miles Elevation gain: 17,700 m Start: Anchorage, Alaska, USA Finish: Deadhorse, Prudhoe Bay, Alaska Terrain: Approximately 50% gravel and dirt roads, 50% paved roads Time limit: No overall time limit Categories: Solo, pairs and recumbent bikes Format: Fully unsupported bikepacking adventure 2027 start: 14 August, at sunrise