Are you an adventurer ready to push your limits and experience Alaska’s raw, breathtaking wilderness?
Registration for the 2026 Alaska-Divide is now open! The journey starts with an application – you’ll answer 16 questions about the route and the Alaskan backcountry. If your application is approved, you’ll receive a private link to complete your registration.
Spots are limited to just 15 riders, so apply early to secure your place on the start line.
Since the first edition in 2022, the Alaska-Divide has been successfully completed 18 times. The fastest time still belongs to Pavel Macháček from the Czech Republic, who reached the finish line in Deadhorse – the end of the legendary Dalton Highway – 5 days, 9 hours, and 58 minutes after starting in Anchorage during the inaugural 2022 event.
These numbers speak for themselves: the Alaska-Divide is truly one of the wildest and most remote bikepacking challenges in the world.
Paul Kuzdas, finisher of the Alaska-Divide 2025 and Tour Divide veteran, summed it up perfectly:
“That was a brutal finish!!! Holy crap that was so hard 😬”
And he wasn’t exaggerating. On his final day, Paul’s shifter gave out completely – stuck in the biggest gear. To make things worse, the final 90 km brought pouring rain and a 60 km/h headwind, according to the Deadhorse Airport weather station – straight out of the Arctic Ocean.
Vasek Janout powered through to finish the 1,700 km route in 6 days, 5 hours, and 36 minutes, battling a broken rear spoke and worn-out brake pads. Andy faced his own series of mechanical nightmares – a snapped spoke, wrecked bottom bracket, and failing freehub bearings – but kept rolling north. Meanwhile, Jeremy made a massive effort to catch up to the others by riding nonstop from Yukon River Camp to the finish without any longer stop along the Dalton Highway. And the Italian pair Pierluigi Galassi & Michele Brussino from Torino showed true partnership, tackling every problem along the route together and proving that teamwork can thrive even in the harshest Arctic conditions.
Three riders were unable to finish this year’s edition. Mike Monterusso had to quit after his rear rim broke while climbing Hatcher Pass, just 73 miles in. Rainer Müller scratched at mile 191. And Peter Brewer called it near North Pole at mile 539 after several painful days of not being able to sit on the saddle.
Still, for those who made it – and for those who dared to try – the 2025 Alaska-Divide was everything it promised to be: beautiful, brutal, and unforgettable.
Huge thanks to everyone who took part, followed along, and helped make it happen!
Leaving behind the small community of Willow, riders head straight into the next remote and visually striking stretches of the Alaska Divide route. The 223 kilometers to Cantwell offer a raw, wild experience, the mountains close in, and the modern world fades behind your tires.
This segment is a test of endurance and spirit, gaining over 2700 vertical meters as it weaves through Alaska’s rugged interior. But what it demands in effort, it returns tenfold in scenery and solitude.
Somewhere along the way, you’ll spot a curious structure nestled in the trees – an Iglu. Built in the 1970s by Leon Smith, a railroad worker who envisioned a four-story, dome-shaped hotel he dubbed “Igloo Lodge” or “Igloo City.” It featured 58 wedge‑shaped rooms, a central atrium, and a penthouse for Smith and his wife. Construction stopped before completion—exterior finished but interior never functional – largely due to building code violations, like undersized windows and lack of safe fire escapes. Smith eventually sold the project to Brad Fisher in 1996. Fisher ran a small gas station and convenience store next to the igloo until about 2010. Since then, the structure has sat abandoned and deteriorating—overflowing with graffiti and neglect. It’s become a roadside curiosity and photography stop for many.
The real magic happens when the clouds part. Towering above the horizon, Mount McKinley (Denali) comes into view – if you’re lucky. At 6,190 meters, Denali dominates the skyline like a titan frozen in snow and stone. It’s a humbling sight that can stop you in your tracks. The mountain feels impossibly distant, yet hauntingly close.
The final kilometers before Cantwell are no easier, but the sense of accomplishment builds with each turn of the pedals. The approach to Cantwell feels like returning from a different world. A hot meal, and refilling for the Denali Highway.
Riders: – Christopher Kuzdas refilling at Cantwell – Jeremy D VanSice on the Parks Hwy
Riding over Hatcher Pass is like stepping into another world—one where winding gravel climbs, alpine tundra, and dramatic ridgelines replace the everyday. This is one of the most stunning segments of the Alaska Divide, a route that demands effort but rewards with pure mountain magic.
From the historic mining town of Independence Mine to the sweeping switchbacks that climb above the treeline, the scenery is nothing short of cinematic. Riders gain serious elevation here, with loose gravel, steep pitches, and fast-changing weather keeping things interesting.
But the payoff? 360-degree views of the Talkeetna Mountains, glacier-fed rivers far below, and the exhilarating descent into remote backcountry.
It’s wild, it’s challenging, and it’s unforgettable. Hatcher Pass isn’t just a stretch of road – it’s a rite of passage.
The adventure came to a sudden and unfortunate halt for Mike Monterusso, one of the strong starters of this year’s Alaska-Divide. Mike launched into the race with power and determination, riding confidently at the front of the pack. But the Alaskan backcountry had other plans.
While tackling the steepest section of the climb to Hatcher Pass, disaster struck – the rim of his rear wheel gave out, cracking under pressure. In an instant, the dream of completing the Alaska-Divide came to an end. With no way to continue, Mike had to make the tough call to withdraw.
It’s a harsh reminder of the unpredictability of ultra-endurance racing. The silver lining? The failure happened during the uphill grind – not during the high-speed descent or on one of the remote wilderness stretches where getting help could have been far more difficult.
We’re gutted to see Mike leave the race so early, but we know his spirit remains unbroken. That kind of grit doesn’t go unnoticed, and we’re sure this won’t be his last adventure on two wheels.
Hang in there, Mike – the trail will wait for your return.
The 4th Alaska-Divide officially kicked off yesterday in Anchorage, and we’re excited to announce a record turnout – 10 brave riders lined up at the start, marking the largest group we’ve ever had and the cap we’ve set for this truly unique event.
Under a crisp blue sky, the riders rolled out full of anticipation and adrenaline. The conditions were picture-perfect in terms of visibility, but the temperature added its own layer of challenge: a biting 4°C (39 Farenheit) greeted the participants as they began their journey into the Alaskan wild. It’s the kind of cold that reminds you immediately – you’re not just racing, you’re adventuring.
The Alaska-Divide isn’t just a race; it’s a test of endurance, resilience, and self-reliance through one of the most remote and beautiful regions on Earth. Over the coming days, these 10 riders will face winding gravel roads, wild landscapes, unpredictable weather, and the solitude that only Alaska can offer.
We’ll be following their progress closely and sharing stories from the trail as they unfold. Stay tuned – this edition of the Alaska-Divide is already shaping up to be one for the books.
Dotwatchers, get ready – the tracking for the 2025 Alaska Divide is now live!
This year, we’ve added virtual checkpoints along the route to make following the race even more exciting. These checkpoints allow you to see section times – so you can track rider progress through epic segments like the legendary Denali Highway.
Riders will depart Anchorage on Sunday morning, setting off on an unforgiving 1,680 km journey through Alaska’s wild heart. Their destination? Deadhorse – the end of the northernmost road on Earth. Along the way, they’ll face vast tundras, remote mountain passes, and some of the most breathtaking (and brutal) terrain anywhere in the world.
This isn’t just a race – it’s a test of grit, endurance, and raw adventure.
The Denali Highway starts in Cantwell at route mile 245.
The 135‑mile Denali Highway, a historic gravel road between Paxson and Cantwell, was Alaska’s only overland access to Denali National Park until the early 1970s, and today remains a rugged, largely unpaved route open only in summer, offering unfiltered access to wilderness vistas and ancient tundra landscapes.
What makes it truly unique is that most of the route lies above the treeline, creating uninterrupted panoramic views of the towering Alaska Range – including Mount Hayes and other glaciated peaks – plus abundant wildlife sightings and nearly unlimited camping opportunities across remote pull‑outs and informal campsites
Are you ready to take on one of the most breathtaking and demanding bikepacking adventures on the planet? The clock is ticking – registration for the 2025 Alaska Divide closes August 1st at 11:59 PM AKT.
If the wild heart of Alaska is calling you, don’t wait. Lock in your spot and take the first step toward the ride of a lifetime:
