Looking for adventure? Then head out on the highway

Picking the most scenic places in Alaska is like asking a kid to pick out his favorite sweets in a candy shop, but that's exactly what one professor has done.

Greg Brown, a professor at Alaska Pacific University, recently announced the findings of a 2001 study in which the top 10 stretches of highway in Alaska were identified.

At the top of the list are two stretches of the Seward Highway, two stretches of the Parks Highway, two stretches of the Richardson Highway and sections of the Sterling, Glenn, Denali and Klondike highways.

As part of the survey, 2,000 random Alaskans were asked to affix stickers to a state map.

The stickers signified places participants valued in terms of scenic, recreational, natural, cultural and historical qualities.

The Seward Highway had the top two spots -- from Rainbow to Bird Point, and from Crown Point to Primrose. Highway locations in the Valley fared well in the survey.

At number five on the list is the Parks Highway from Chulitna to Hurricane. The stretch of the highway includes great views of Mount McKinley and the Alaska Range, as well as numerous rivers and streams.

The Glenn Highway, from Long Lake to Matanuska River, is number six on the list. On a lazy Sunday drive on that stretch of the river, you'll encounter breathtaking views of Matanuska Glacier, the Matanuska River and the Chugach Mountains.

A highway that technically isn't part of the Valley, but is still close to it, is the Denali Highway, from Susitna Lodge to Clearwater. The Denali Highway connects the Parks and Richardson highways, and is closed during the winter.

During the summer months, many visitors and residents travel across the gravel road.

The final stretch of highway that originates in the Valley ranked number nine in the survey.

The Parks Highway, from Carlo to McKinley Park, scored high because of the views of the Alaska Range.

All of the top 10 roads, except the Denali Highway, have the State of Alaska Scenic Byway designation. The Seward Highway has been awarded the designation of All-American Road, making it one of only 15 routes in the country to receive special recognition.

Recently, the Glenn Highway was nominated for National Scenic Byway designation.

The U.S. Secretary of Transportation is expected to announce the new national byways by early June.

For more information about the study, interested people can visit the Web site polar.alaskapacific.edu/gregb/research.htm.

Top 10 scenic highways

1. Seward Highway, from Rainbow to Bird Point.

2. Seward Highway, from Crown Point to Primrose.

3. Sterling Highway, from Anchor Point to Homer.

4. Richardson Highway, within the Thompson Pass area.

5. Parks Highway, from Chulitna to Hurricane.

6. Glenn Highway, from Long Lake to Matanuska River.

7. Denali Highway, from Susitna Lodge to Clearwater.

8. Klondike Highway, near the White Pass area.

9. Parks Highway, from Carlo to McKinley Park.

10. Richardson Highway, from Tonsina to Tiekel.

Source: Dr. Greg Brown's 2001 study of 2,000 Alaskans