Haines Multisport

Trip Length 6 Days
Group Size 4-12
Activity level
Starting from
$3,799 for REI Members
$4,178 for non-members
Departures May 2023-Sep 2023

Spend 6 days hiking, cycling, kayaking, and rafting through the adventure capital of Alaska.

Sitting amid the convergence of towering mountains; massive glaciers; flowing rivers; and the deepest fjord in North America is the tiny borough of Haines, Alaska. Its ideal location makes it a perfect jumping off point for some of the most exceptional outdoor adventure in the state. With an equally rich natural and human history, few places on earth can offer such an outstanding opportunity for world class exploration.

We’ll spend six-days playing in the breathtaking haven of Haines. We’ll cycle through a bald eagle preserve and aside an important wildlife corridor. We’ll hike through coastal rainforests and up peaks offering jaw-dropping views. We’ll paddle through turquoise blue waters at the foot of enormous snowcapped mountains. We’ll float a glacial river teeming with salmon. Each day will be filled with a bounty of adventure, exploration, and connection. By the end of our journey, we’ll be hoping for a quick return to this magical Inside Passage playground.

The 48,000-acre Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is one of the best locations to watch the majestic raptors along the Inside Passage.

Trip Highlights

  • Hike up to 360° views over Haines, the Lynn Canal fjord and the Chilkat Mountains
  • Enjoy a scenic float down the Chilkat River
  • Cycle along the historic Haines Highway in route to the Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center
  • Complete an overnight kayaking expedition to either Chilkat Inlet or Chilkoot Lake
  • Learn about southeast Alaska’s rich natural and human history

Activities

This trip is rated Moderate [3] and includes a variety of activities, including, hiking; biking; kayaking; and rafting. HIKING: participants should be capable of completing a hike of up to 8 miles with elevation gains/losses of up to 3,000'. CYCLING: participants should be able to ride up to 21 miles at a time over rolling paved or gravel roads (vehicle support available during this segment); KAYAK: participants should be able to complete an overnight expedition style kayaking trip, which will require 8-10 miles of paddling each day; RAFTING: participants should be comfortable in a guide propelled raft traveling 3-5 miles over class I and II rapids.

  • Cycling
  • Hiking
  • Kayaking
  • Rafting

What's Included

Five nights accommodations; admission to heritage center or museum; all park usage and permit fees; cycling and kayaking gear as noted in gear list; all gratuities related to services that support the itinerary, other than lead and assistant guide; transfers to/from airport or ferry; all meals as noted in the daily itinerary (with the exception of dinner on night 3 and lunch and dinner on the last day).

Accommodations

Historic inn or hotel accommodations, 4 nights; primitive camping, 1 night

Your Adventure Itinerary

Itinerary map for Haines Multisport

Important Note: Depending on weather and water conditions, our overnight kayaking expedition will be either in the Chilkat Inlet or Chilkoot Lake. Your guide team is made up of backcountry and kayaking experts and will make the decision on the final kayaking route on day 3.

Day 1

Meet your guides in Haines before hiking to Battery Point

Welcome to Haines, Alaska! We meet our guides and traveling companions at our hotel this afternoon. After introductions we’re off on a scenic hike to Battery Point. Surrounded by vibrant green coastal rainforest, we’re quickly enveloped in the quintessential beauty of Alaska’s Inside Passage. After popping out of the forest onto a small rocky beach, were treated to spectacular views of Chilkoot Inlet, where we’ll scan the surrounding waters for possible sightings of harbor seal, Stellar sea lion and Humpback whale. Back in Haines we’ll enjoy our first dinner together before retiring to one of Haines’ most beloved and historic hotels. Lunch and dinner included.

Hiking: 4 miles, elevation gain/loss: ~500'.

Day 2

Cycle from Haines to Klukwan before enjoying a scenic float down the Chilkat River

Our day begins with a bike ride along the historic Haines Highway. First used as a transport route for indigenous communities, the scenic highway also passes through the 48,000-acre Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. We’ll finish our ride with a picnic lunch at the Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center, located in the Chilkat Tlingit community of Klukwan. We’re then off on a float down the Chilkat River. Surrounded by the Takshanuk Mountains to the north and the Takhinsha Mountains to the south, our guides will provide insight into how this remarkable landscape has been shaped by the movement of water and ice. All meals included.

Cycling: 21 miles on mostly paved highway with gentle undulations and curves, elevation gain/loss: ~500’. Scenic River Float: mostly class I and some class II rapids, 3-5 miles, ~2 hours in length.

Day 3

Enjoy sweeping views atop Mt Ripinski or Mt Riley before exploring the town of Haines

Our hike-of-the-day will be determined by trail conditions on either Mt. Ripinski or Mt. Riley. On a clear day, both trails offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains, the Lynn Canal Fjord, and the Chilkat and Chilkoot river drainages. The final selection will be made by our guides, who will take several factors into consideration, including trail conditions and weather. Later this afternoon you’ll have free time to explore the town of Haines on our own or relax at the hotel. Guides will provide guests with their recommendations on their favorite sightseeing and dinner spots. Breakfast and lunch included.

Hiking: 7-8 miles depending on trail, elevation gain/loss: ~1,600-3,000’.

Day 4

Paddle through turquoise blue waters and camp under the stars

This morning we begin a remarkable journey to one of the area’s most beautiful kayaking destinations. Before hopping in our kayaks your guides will provide a thorough orientation to our final route, our tandem kayaks, weather, gear, and will also provide a refresher on kayaking strokes, safety, and boat handling. Our final itinerary will be selected based off weather and water conditions. However, both routes offer a spectacular guided opportunity to explore the remarkable backcountry of southeast Alaska. This element of our trip will require group participation in portaging of personal gear and the setup of your tent. All meals included.

Kayaking: 3-7 miles, 3-4 hours.

Day 5

Continue our on-water exploration before enjoying a celebratory dinner in Haines

After a hearty camp breakfast, we’ll pack our gear back into our kayaks and head out for another amazing day on the water. As we glide quietly past icy glaciers and towering mountaintops we’ll listen for the chatter of bald eagles and the splash of marine life. If we’re lucky we may even spot bear, otter, moose, or other land mammals strolling along the shore. Later this evening we’ll celebrate our adventure with our last dinner in Haines. All meals included.

Kayaking: 4-8 miles, 5-7 hours.

Day 6

Hop in the saddle for a morning bike ride before bidding our new friends farewell

We’ll cap off our adventure in Haines with a morning bike ride to gorgeous Chilkoot Lake. Sitting at the head of the Chilkoot River, the lake and watershed is famed for its rich salmon habitat and breathtaking beauty. Lucky visitors are occasionally treated to the site of bears, which plant themselves above the Chilkoot Lake Weir to feast on salmon. Later this morning we’ll shuttle back to Haines where we’ll bid our new friends and beautiful Haines goodbye. Breakfast included.

Cycling: 18 miles on mostly paved highway with gentle undulations and curves, elevation gain/loss: ~500’.

Itinerary map for Haines Multisport

Gear List

This gear list has been created to help you choose the best equipment for the trip. Try to bring only what is necessary, as this will help you and the field staff. The weather and other conditions at the time of your arrival will dictate what clothing and equipment you will be required to use each day and what (if anything) can be left behind. It may be a necessary precaution that you bring certain items on the list, even if it is uncertain whether or not they will be needed.

What to pack

Contact Us

Feel free to give us a call at 1 (800) 622-2236 should you have any questions regarding the gear list. The staff at our stores and Direct Sales ( 1 (800) 426-4840 ) will also be happy to help you with gear questions. Or check out REI Expert Advice , which has great information to help you prepare for your trip.