Iditarod Trail Map | Iditarod Checkpoint Info | Iditarod Fly-out

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is run in the middle section on an annual alternating northern and southern route around the Innoko National Wildlife Refuge. In even-numbered years, participants must complete the northern route; in odd-numbered years, since 1977, they must complete the southern route. Other than alternating routes, the course layout has changed only slightly since it was first held in 1973. Major changes have been the introduction of the restart and the change from Ptarmigan to Rainy Pass.

As a result of these changes, the effective length of the route also varies. Officially, the actual length of the northern route includes 1112 miles (1790 km) and the southern 1131 miles (1820 km). However, often the length is given as 1049 miles in allusion to the fact that Alaska is the 49th state of the United States. However, this is of only secondary importance to the actual course of the race, as the mushers are free to travel between the individual checkpoints.

Checkpoints
Along the route to Nome there are 26 (northern route) and 27 (southern route) checkpoints, where the mushers have to report with their teams and where they can fill up their provisions, have a rest or change sleds. Otherwise, the route choice is free. Once each participant must take a break of 24 hours, twice one of eight hours. This is to prevent the dogs from being overworked. The health of the animals is also constantly checked by veterinarians.

Our Iditarod Tour Packages "Iditarod Chase the Race" and "Iditarod and Northern Lights Tour" take Iditarod fans to Rainy Pass and Nikolai Checkpoints.