Alaska’s autumn beauty is something spectacular. Although the state usually heads from summer through fall and into winter in a matter of weeks, Alaska fall colors are bright and beautiful before they flare out! Coloring the mountainsides of Seward Highway, this gorgeous two hour drive highlights some of the most spectacular fall foliage in the state!
The drive from Anchorage to Seward, Alaska is 126 miles of pure beauty.
DCSL / Flickr The Seward Highway comes out of Anchorage and begins to hug the Cook Inlet while traveling parallel to the Chugach Mountain Range. The twists and turns highlight view after view!
The stunning bright fall foliage travel down the mountainside, ending at the bottom by the highway.
Sujohn Das / Flickr You can see this progression as it moves down the mountains! Sometimes, depending on when during autumn you’re driving this route, you’ll see “termination dust” crowning the tops of the mountains.
“Termination dust” is an Alaskan term for when snowfall begins to land and stick to the mountains.
DCSL / Flickr It starts at the top and slowly creeps down, following behind the fall colors. It makes for a beautiful transition into winter!
All along the highway you’ll see bright bursts of color not just in the trees, but on the wildflowers too!
Jay Galvin / Flickr Fireweed will burst bright pink in early autumn, and there are many ground plants whose leaves turn red as the weather cools. The birch and aspen will glow bright yellow among the green spruce trees!
There’s so many stunning sights along the highway, and plenty of places to pull over and take in all of the beauty.
DCSL / Flickr With fall weather in Alaska, especially along the Seward Highway, you’ll find it can be wet. But that can make for stunning vistas, especially when the clouds hang low in the valleys between the mountains.
There’s even great places for you to get out and walk around to immerse yourself in the fall beauty.
Paxson Woelber / Flickr There are some lovely pedestrian walk ways, especially around the Hope turnoff area on the Seward Highway. There’s even a bridge that allows you to look down into the canyon to see stunning autumn views!
No matter where you are along the drive, you’ll find something spectacular to see!
Peter Rintels / Flickr From the shores of Cook Inlet to the glacial blues of Kenai Lake, the gold, yellow, and red colors of fall blend in perfectly with their Alaskan surroundings. A trip to see this autumn foliage is a perfect way to spend an afternoon!
Have you had a chance to drive the Seward Highway to see Alaska fall colors? What did you think? What month during the year did you do it? Let us know in the comments below!
DCSL / Flickr
The Seward Highway comes out of Anchorage and begins to hug the Cook Inlet while traveling parallel to the Chugach Mountain Range. The twists and turns highlight view after view!
Sujohn Das / Flickr
You can see this progression as it moves down the mountains! Sometimes, depending on when during autumn you’re driving this route, you’ll see “termination dust” crowning the tops of the mountains.
It starts at the top and slowly creeps down, following behind the fall colors. It makes for a beautiful transition into winter!
Jay Galvin / Flickr
Fireweed will burst bright pink in early autumn, and there are many ground plants whose leaves turn red as the weather cools. The birch and aspen will glow bright yellow among the green spruce trees!
With fall weather in Alaska, especially along the Seward Highway, you’ll find it can be wet. But that can make for stunning vistas, especially when the clouds hang low in the valleys between the mountains.
Paxson Woelber / Flickr
There are some lovely pedestrian walk ways, especially around the Hope turnoff area on the Seward Highway. There’s even a bridge that allows you to look down into the canyon to see stunning autumn views!
Peter Rintels / Flickr
From the shores of Cook Inlet to the glacial blues of Kenai Lake, the gold, yellow, and red colors of fall blend in perfectly with their Alaskan surroundings. A trip to see this autumn foliage is a perfect way to spend an afternoon!
When you get to Seward, make sure to check out This Historic Alaska Railroad Car Is Now A Restaurant And You’ll Want To Plan Your Visit!
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Address: Seward Hwy, Anchorage, AK, USA
