The Top of the World Highway follows an 80-mile long meandering path from the junction with the Taylor Highway at Jake Wade, Alaska to the western banks of the Yukon River outside Dawson City in Canada’s Yukon Territory. It’s one of the most northernly highways in North America, with only the Dempster and Dalton Highways being at higher latitudes. Most of the route is unpaved and follows the top of a treeless ridgeline, making it very susceptible to high winds and freezing temperatures in all but the warmest months. However, riders that prefer remote routes with few other vehicles to spoil their views will be delighted with the barren scenery and extreme solitude.
Planning Your Ride on the Top of the World Highway While the Top of the World Highway extends from Jake Wade to Dawson City , you’ll most likely start your journey further afield in the town of Tok, Alaska , the last stop with significant services. from there you turn off the Alaska Highway at Tetlin Junction and it’s another 78 miles from there to the town of Chicken which has a campground, fuel and basic provisions for purchase. Only after another 23 mile will you actually reach the beginning of the Top of the World Highway.
After riding another 19 miles, you’ll reach the Poker Creek-Little Gold Creek Border Crossing. It’s only open during the snow-free months from 9am to 9pm Yukon time, which is one hour ahead of Alaska time. From there it’s another 65 miles to West Dawson on the banks of the Yukon River. You’ll need to take a ferry across the river to reach the main part of Dawson City and further highway connections.
Fuel While the route is only 80 miles, you actually need to come prepared for an even longer distance. The last place to get fuel before the start of the highway in Jake Wade is at the town of Chicken, 25 miles to the west of it. It would be prudent to carry a jerry can of fuel just in case something goes wrong. There is a bit of traffic over this road in summer, but you should still be comfortable doing minor repairs yourself.
Accommodations and Food The only accommodations available on the Top of the World Highway are the kind you can bring on your bike. There are plenty of places where roadside tent camping is legal, but your biggest concern will be finding a place that’s sheltered enough from the perilous wind that blows through these parts. Trees are in short supply and the road follows a ridgeline for most of its length; good campsites will be very limited. Chicken is a good place to stop overnight and even try your hand at gold panning. Tok, Chicken and Dawson City have plenty of options.
Unless a customs officer decides to give you a bite of their lunch, you will be responsible for carrying all the food necessary for this trip. The last proper restaurant will actually be 100 miles before you even get on the Top of the World Highway, in the town of Tok.
Sights This ride is not for everyone and requires a particular appreciation for barren landscapes. The hills are covered in a stubble of stunted trees and the dense forests associated with the region only return once you get closer to the Yukon River.
The Poker Creek-Little Gold Creek Border Crossing is one of the only jointly occupied customs checkpoints and the most northernly between Canada and the United States – an interested find for anyone curious about remote checkpoints.
Dawson City was the epicenter of the Klondike Gold Rush back in the 1890’s and the town is full of interesting mining history. The Dawson City Museum is therefore a must see for any history buff. It is also home to the D2D Dust 2 Dawson Motorcycle Ride , which we were fortunate enough to attend in 2011. you can read about our experience here.
Yukon River – Photo Credit: Dave Bezaire / CC BY Welcome to Alaska Sign – Photo Credit: Arthur Chapman / CC BY Dawson City – Photo Credit: Dawsonesque / CC BY Featured Image of Gravel Section of Highway – Photo Credit: jkbrooks85 / CC BY
