Valdez

A harbor town on the north shore of Prince William Sound, nicknamed Alaska's Little Switzerland, where glacier cruises, kayaking among icebergs and a snowy mountain highway are highlights of any road trip loop.

Valdez lies in south-central Alaska at the head of Port Valdez on the north shore of Prince William Sound, ringed by the snowy peaks and glaciers of the Chugach Mountains — which is why it's often called Alaska's Little Switzerland. It is the southern terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, and is also known for relocating the entire town after the 1964 earthquake and for the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. The climate is maritime: summers (Jun–Aug) see temperatures of 10–18°C (50–64°F) and frequent rain, and this is the season for glacier cruises, kayaking, sport fishing and watching salmon runs; in winter Valdez is one of the snowiest towns in the US, and Thompson Pass becomes a heli-skiing hotspot. There are three main ways to explore: on the water, take a cruise to Columbia Glacier or farther to Meares Glacier, watching for sea otters, sea lions and whales along the way; around town, kayak on a glacier lake, see salmon and bears at the Solomon Gulch Hatchery, and visit the small boat harbor and museums; and along the Richardson Highway, drive past the waterfalls of Keystone Canyon, over Thompson Pass and on to Worthington Glacier. Getting there: it's about 490 km (305 mi), or roughly 6 hours, by car from Anchorage via the spectacularly scenic Glenn and Richardson Highways; you can also take the Alaska Marine Highway ferry to and from Whittier, or a small plane from Anchorage in about 45 minutes. Plan on 2–3 days; book cruises in advance, as summer lodging is tight, and bring rain gear and a windproof jacket.

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Itineraries