"Bird to Gird" Local Favorite Scenic Bike Ride

Date/Time
Date(s) - April 8, 2024
12:00 am

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Guest Acceptance: Accepting All Guests Fee Required: No Fee Estimated Fee: 0.00 Date Flexibility: No, Dates/Times are Fixed Duration: 2-4 hours

Suitable Ages: All Ages (Fam Friendly) Gear Requirements: Bring Gear Skill Level: Beginner Friendly Difficulty Level: Easy Host Type: Community HELP: Contact this vendor for alternate dates/times.

Adventure Details:

If you’d like to experience an amazingly scenic bike ride in nature with wildlife viewing opportunities, check out the 12-mile, paved, “Bird to Gird” bike trail just South of Anchorage. Sorry locals, the secret’s out. The trip starts at the Bird Creek Campground at mile 101 on Seward Highway to the ski town of Girdwood, hence the name “Bird to Gird”.

Chugach State Park, renowned for stunning landscapes and untamed wilderness, offers adventurers an opportunity to immerse themselves in nature’s grandeur and find wildlife in its natural habitat. As cyclists set out on their journey from the quaint town of Bird Creek, they are immediately enveloped by towering mountains, lush forests, and the crisp, clean air of the Alaskan wilderness. The 12-mile route follows the coast of an inlet named Turnagain Arm, providing riders with sweeping views of the sea and the surrounding mountains all the way to your destination in Girdwood.

The “Bird to Gird” bike ride is a rewarding expedition that follows along the Seward Highway south of Anchorage, however driving the highway leaves one missing the sights, smells and sounds of nature one can only experience at a gentler pace via bicycle. You are also much more likely to stop and catch wildlife in its natural habitat, a highlight of the experience.

Possible wildlife sightings include majestic bald eagles and hungry brown bears fishing for silver salmon at Bird Creek July through September. Further along the trail in the more forested sections, you may find moose munching on vegetation. When you emerge from the trees, be sure to look out at the inlet and watch for Beluga whales, mid-July through August. They are elusive and a rare sight but rewarding when they do make an appearance. These are easy whales to spot, as they are distinctly white in color.

Also be prepared for bears, recommended to bring bear spray and know how to use it. Encounter with a bear should be rare along the trail, but I have seen black bears on the trail. Review safety tips in bear country.

The route is paved, has hills but manageable for those who are physically active. E-bikes rentals can help for those looking for an assisted ride (link below). A relatively gentler section is Bird Creek Campground to Bird Point, the approximate half-way point (10-mile round trip). This is very scenic and also the most sensible route for those who aren’t looking to ride out and back (a strenuous 24 miles). Otherwise transportation needs to be arranged to return to starting point (shuttle bus link below). For those looking for simplest solution, 10-mile guided tours with bicycles provided are available at: https://adventurebuddy.com/adventures/scenic-bike-ride-bird-to-gird/

The “Bird to Gird” bike ride is not just a physical challenge; it’s an opportunity to connect with nature and experience the rugged beauty of Alaska up close. Whether you’re an avid cyclist seeking adventure or simply someone who appreciates the great outdoors, this unforgettable journey is sure to leave a lasting impression.

So, if you’re looking for an unforgettable adventure in one of the world’s last true wildernesses, grab your bike and embark on the “Bird to Gird” ride. With its stunning scenery, abundant wildlife, and thrilling terrain, it’s an experience you won’t soon forget.

To do the full bike ride one-way requires transportation back to your starting location, but a great alternative is to go half-way to a Bird Point, and head back to starting location for a 10-mile bike ride with no need for additional transportation. For those looking to do the full trip, consider buying a ticket E-bikes are also available to help make a full 24-mile trip more manageable. (link below)

Fun Fact: Turnagain Arm is home to North America’s second-highest tides, trailing only behind those of the Bay of Fundy. These tides, towering up to 40 feet (12 meters) in height, surge in with such rapidity that they create a phenomenon known as a bore tide. Bold kayakers and surfers have embraced the challenge of riding these powerful waves, turning it into an extreme sport.

Fun Fact: Captain Cook explored this area in June of 1778 in search of the elusive Northwest passage. Hopeful that the inlet would be the passage they sought, they were disappointed to find a dead end, and alas had to “turn again”, and named it Turnagain Arm accordingly.

Four Options for Logistics of Your Trip:

1.) Ride from Bird Creek Campground to Bird Point and back (10-miles round trip), avoids the largest hills and only requires one vehicle. Guided tours available (link below)

2.) Ride from Bird Creek Campground to Girdwood and back (strenuous 24 miles round trip). Only recommended for athletic cyclists. Consider renting an E-Bike to make trip more manageable (link below)

3.) Ride from Bird Creek Campground to Girdwood and shuttle back to starting point using Turnagain Shuttle ($49, shuttle offers other tourist stops such as Portage Lake and Beluga Point, and it can also transport bicycles on the shuttle)

4.) A fourth option requires two vehicles and room for hauling bikes. Drop off vehicle at Bird Creek, haul bikes to Girdwood, start your ride in Girdwood (12 miles).

WHAT TO BRING: