Northern Highways - Alaska, the Yukon & northern British Columbia
Top of the World Highway Links
It only takes a few miles climbing out of Dawson City to realize where the name of this road comes from. For much of the 127 kilometers (79 miles) between Dawson and the Alaska border, it
wanders around the high points of a series of ridges far above treeline, and the views just go on and on forever.
The great views actually start just a few minutes after crossing the Yukon River on a little ferry - the photo to the right shows Dawson City and the Yukon and Klondike Rivers as seen from the highway.
Soon after crossing into Alaska, the Top of the World actually ends, and you head south on the Taylor Highway. Another thing that ends is pavement - for about fifty miles, at least.
This is one of the highways where experience driving on mountain roads makes the difference between an easy and enjoyable journey and one that is memorable for other
reasons. If narrow, winding mountain roads are all in a day's work for you, you're going to have a lot of fun! If you're not, just keep your speed down and make lots of stops to enjoy the views.
There is very little traffic, but if someone comes up behind you, make whatever effort you can to let them by so everyone has a good trip.
As well as the views, there are other things to see. Among the possible stops are:
- the main Yukon River viewpoint also has an interpretive display that describes the importance of the Fortymile Caribou Herd.
- the Jack Wade gold dredge worked the valley until the 1920s, and now sits right beside the road.
- the Cowden gold dredge presents the opportunity for a great hour-long walk through the forest. More information here.
- beautiful downtown Chicken, Alaska - one of the real "character" stops!
- there are many places above treeline where short walks are possible. One of the best is right at the summit, on the Yukon side of the border.
The Top of the World puts on its finest show for photographers shortly after the first hard frosts arrive, usually in mid-August. The hills turn colours so brilliant that it seems almost unreal.
If you plan on overnighting in Tok, the fairly short distance involved on this leg of your journey allows for a late start out of Dawson City, effectively giving an extra half-day for exploring "The City of Gold". Some people, however, continue on to Fairbanks, for a total
day's mileage of 632 kilometers (393 miles).
Top of the World Highway Links
Chicken, Alaska
A guide to the best sites about Chicken.
Dawson City, Yukon
A guide to the community's history, attractions and services.
Poker Creek
A brief intro and 3 photos of this summer-only Customs post on the Top of the World Highway.
Tok, Alaska
A guide to local businesses and other information.
