8 day itinerary help

Question

My husband and I will be arriving in Anchorage August 27 at 1:15 and leaving September 3 at midnight. We're looking for recommendations for stops and short hikes mainly. We have been to glaciers, walked on them, gone whale watching so aren't planning those activities or fishing. We like to see amazing vistas, mountains, lakes, and hopefully fall foliage because we enjoy photographing these subjects. My husband paints pictures from photos of our travels.

We've been to Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Denali previously prior to a cruise to Vancouver. We don't care to spend time in those cities but would like to drive the Richardson Highway after reading how scenic it is. We also want to spend time on the Kanai Peninsula.

I'm going to put our itinerary in a separate post because I tried to send the entire thing but was told the session had expired with no notice. Please see it below for any suggestions. Thanks.

Answer

For your 8-day Alaska trip focusing on scenic drives, short hikes, and photography, you can design an itinerary that highlights the Richardson Highway and the Kenai Peninsula without revisiting the cities you’ve already explored extensively. Late August into early September is a fantastic time for fall foliage and dramatic landscapes, which will be perfect for both photography and painting inspiration.

Here’s a suggested itinerary framework:

Day 1 – Arrival in Anchorage: Arrive in the afternoon, pick up your rental car, and stay near Anchorage. Depending on energy, you could take a short evening walk at the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail for sunset views over Cook Inlet.
Day 2 – Anchorage to Glennallen via Richardson Highway: Drive the Richardson Highway north. Stop at scenic pullouts along the way, including Worthington Glacier and scenic viewpoints near Gulkana. Consider short hikes such as the Glacier View trail for unobstructed vistas. Overnight in Glennallen.
Day 3 – Glennallen to Valdez: Continue south along the Richardson Highway. Stop at Thompson Pass for striking mountain vistas. Consider short walks to waterfalls along the highway. Overnight in Valdez and explore the harbor at sunset.
Day 4 – Valdez and Surroundings: Explore Worthington Glacier trail or the easy hike to Solomon Gulch. Take photos of the Valdez waterfront and surrounding mountains. Optional: short walk along Shoup Bay or Blueberry Lake for vistas.
Day 5 – Valdez to Kenai Peninsula (drive/fly option): Either drive back toward Anchorage and continue south to the Kenai Peninsula or consider a scenic flight to Homer for quicker access. Along the drive, stop at viewpoints of Turnagain Arm and Kenai Mountains. Overnight in Homer or Seward.
Day 6 – Kenai Peninsula: Explore the Homer area or Seward area, depending on overnight choice. Short hikes such as the Harding Icefield Trail (partial) or Exit Glacier trail offer stunning mountain and glacier views. Photo opportunities abound at Kachemak Bay or Resurrection Bay.
Day 7 – Kenai Peninsula Scenic Drives & Hikes: Drive the Seward Highway for Turnagain Arm vistas, stopping at Beluga Point, Bird Point, and McHugh Creek Trailhead for short hikes. In Homer, consider a short walk to the Homer Spit for sunset photography.
Day 8 – Return to Anchorage: Drive back to Anchorage. Depending on timing, stop at Eklutna Lake or Little Susitna River for short photo-friendly hikes. Return rental car and prepare for your late-night departure.

Additional tips:

Focus on short hikes (1-3 miles) to maximize scenery while conserving energy.
Bring layers, as weather can shift quickly in late August/early September.
Check local visitor centers for last-minute trail and road conditions, especially for Richardson Highway passes and Kenai Peninsula trails.
Plan photography during early morning or late afternoon for optimal lighting, especially in mountain valleys and lakes.

This itinerary balances scenic drives, short hikes, and numerous photo opportunities, while allowing you to experience the fall foliage along the Richardson Highway and Kenai Peninsula without overloading on glacier or whale-focused activities.

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