ALASKA HIGHLIGHTS - traghetto non giornaliero

Gateway to the wild nature of Alaska, Anchorage rises between the waters of Cook Inlet and the snow-capped peaks of the Chugach Mountains, framed by a unique northern light. Though it is the state's largest city, it retains a frontier feel: from downtown you may spot moose crossing the streets and, on clear days, glimpse the profile of Denali, the highest peak in North America, on the horizon. Walking the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail leads between ocean and forest, while the museum devoted to native cultures tells the ancestral soul of this land. From here, excursions set out toward glaciers, fjords and boundless parks, with sightings of bears, whales and northern lights. Anchorage is the ideal starting point for Arctic adventure.

The journey from Anchorage to Denali National Park follows the scenic Parks Highway (Alaska Route 3) and covers approximately 240 miles (about 380 km). Travel time is usually 4 to 5 hours, depending on traffic and weather conditions. The road is fully paved and well maintained, offering classic Alaskan landscapes such as vast boreal forests, river valleys, open tundra, and mountain ranges. Along the way, you pass small towns including Wasilla, Willow, and Cantwell, and on clear days you may catch your first glimpse of Mount Denali, North America’s highest peak. There are several scenic viewpoints and frequent opportunities to spot wildlife, particularly moose, especially in the early morning or evening hours. This route is considered one of Alaska’s most beautiful drives and is an integral part of the overall travel experience rather than just a transfer. Denali immediately conjures the image of Alaska's wilderness, dominated by the mountain of the same name which, at 6,190 metres, is the highest peak in North America. Denali National Park and Preserve protects a vast expanse of tundra, forests, glacial rivers and mountain ranges, home to grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolves and Dall sheep. A single road runs through the heart of the park, and shuttle buses allow visitors to venture deep into the landscape, spotting wildlife in its natural habitat. Adventure seekers can enjoy hiking, scenic flights over the glaciers, white-water rafting and guided excursions, while on clear northern nights it is sometimes possible to admire the northern lights. An unmissable stop on any journey through the Far North, Denali offers an authentic and majestic encounter with untamed nature.

Fairbanks lies in the heart of interior Alaska, along the banks of the Chena River, the gateway to America's Far North and the Arctic wilderness. Capital of the Interior, it owes its fame above all to the sky: on long winter nights it is one of the world's best places to watch the northern lights, while in summer the midnight sun brings endless days. The town still carries the spirit of the gold rush that founded it in the early twentieth century, recounted at Pioneer Park and at the University of Alaska's Museum of the North, with its collections of Native art and natural history. From here roads lead to Denali National Park and to Chena Hot Springs, where you can soak in warm waters beneath the green glow of the sky. Between dog-sledding, landscapes of taiga and tundra and frontier hospitality, Fairbanks is the perfect base for those seeking Arctic adventure in any season.

The drive from Fairbanks to Valdez follows Alaska Route 2 and the Richardson Highway (Alaska Route 4), covering about 360–380 miles (580–610 km) and taking roughly 8–9 hours without stops. The route passes through mountains, valleys, and rivers, offering views of boreal forests and glaciers, with opportunities to spot wildlife such as moose and eagles. Along the way, travelers pass near Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the largest national park in the United States, and follow the Trans-Alaska Pipeline before arriving in Valdez, the gateway to the fjords and glaciers of southeastern Alaska. Valdez rises in a spectacular position at the head of a deep fjord in southern Alaska, surrounded by steep mountains, glaciers and waterfalls, so much so that it is nicknamed 'Alaska's little Switzerland'. The northernmost ice-free port in the state and terminal of the trans-Alaska pipeline, it is an ideal base for cruises among the glaciers of Prince William Sound, kayaking, salmon fishing and watching whales and otters. In winter it draws extreme-skiing enthusiasts for its very abundant snowfalls. Between fjords, glaciers and mountains, Valdez is wild nature in its purest state.

Seward looks out over the deep waters of Resurrection Bay, set among the snow-capped mountains of the Kenai Peninsula in southern Alaska. This port town is famous as the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, where tidewater glaciers, dramatic fjords and the vast Harding Icefield form one of the most spectacular landscapes in the state. Wildlife cruises depart from the harbour, offering the chance to spot whales, sea lions, otters and colonies of puffins, while the Alaska SeaLife Center brings the region's marine life up close. Hikers can walk to Exit Glacier, one of the few glaciers reachable directly on foot. Between excursions, fishing and the authentic atmosphere of the Far North, Seward is an unforgettable stop for travellers exploring Alaska.