BREATHE THE ARCTIC
Hiking in Greenland evokes a sense of freedom that reaches an unparalleled magnitude. As you follow hiking trails flanked by bold rock formations and purple Arctic flowers, you realize that Greenland’s mighty nature stands before you, unaltered by humans, just as it has for thousands of years. With any thoughts of stressful schedules and crowded streets falling away, you are free to hear the sounds of silence and to absorb the Arctic calm. You can just breathe in Greenland.
On a more literal note, ice is all around you when hiking in Greenland, and it radiates the smell of the Arctic. It is sweet and energizing; if ‘cold’ had a scent, this would be it! Whether you are trekking near the Greenland Ice Sheet, camping alongside a glacier, or sitting on the hillside marveling at iceberg-filled waters, the smell of the Arctic makes hiking in Greenland exceptional.
HIKING TRAILS FOR EVERYONE
Greenland is the size of Western Europe yet the entire population can fit inside one singular football stadium. The amount of open backcountry is immense, so the odds of finding suitable hiking trails, or making your own, are well in your favor.
Hiking in Greenland comes in all intensity levels, and there are plenty of hiking trails for the long distance trekker and the casual day-hiker both. Follow low elevation routes for a few hours to give yourself plenty of time and ease to take in the Arctic ambience, or extend the trip a bit and hike from inland clear out to the coastline.
HIKING HOTSPOTS
South Greenland has an incredible system of hiking trails that link towns and villages to each other and link you to Greenland’s Viking history. Ruins of Nordic farms and churches pepper the entire region and greet you as you traverse South Greenland’s lush green hills.
The Arctic Circle Region, with its large ice-free area, offers amazing opportunities for hiking. It features an extensive network of day hikes and is home to Greenland’s best-marked long-distance hiking route: the Arctic Circle Trail. Stretching from the edge of the Greenland Ice Sheet to the west coast past countless lakes, mountains, and abundant wildlife – it offers experienced hikers more than a week completely off the grid surrounded by peace and solitude.
The Ilulissat Icefjord in North Greenland is a spectacular site to experience on foot. Hike along the edge of the Icefjord or set up camp next to one of the nearby glaciers. We promise that the sight and symphony of icebergs will be imprinted on your mind for years to come.
For a completely different view, go hiking in East Greenland where the mountains are taller and the landscape is more dramatic than much of the west coast. Near Tasiilaq, reach the tops of the mountains just behind town or take the scenic route through the Valley of Flowers.
Why hire a local guide?
Guides know the terrain like the back of their hand: Over the years, guides have learned the land, sometimes the hard way. They know how it behaves at certain times of the year, like for example, that it gets intolerably wet and muddy within 15 meters of a particular lake in early summer. They also know a shortcut that the hiking map does not show you but which leads to a breathtaking view across the fjord.
Hiring a local guide promotes sustainable tourism: There are a lot of trekkers in Greenland that land and start their backcountry adventure immediately, sleeping in their own tents each night and even bringing in their own freeze-dried food and fuel supply. (By the way, you can actually buy outdoor gear, goods and food in shops all over the country). This type of self-sufficient trip does not really leave a lot of economic benefit in the country, aside from the plane ticket. But by buying the service of a local guide, you could increase the positive impact of your adventure in Greenland and stay safe
Guides have great gut feelings for where to find the wildlife: Many places in Greenland require quite patient searching and waiting for wildlife, even if the area is teeming with animals. Short of being out for a long, multi-day trek, your few-hours’ day hike leaves only a small window of time to find the animals. Therefore, a guide who is out in the area every day has the best sense for where animals habitually spend their time so you can maximise your hiking time by going in the right direction.
Guides are trained to react calmly and properly to bear sightings: A polar bear sighting sound like something everyone wants in theory – until it actually happens. Seeing a polar bear even from several kilometres away is enough to make an inexperienced person’s adrenaline go into overdrive. Like the local guides say, if you can see the bear with your naked eye, then it is too close. Of course, some areas of Greenland are more susceptible to rogue bears than others, but hiking with a trained guide who is licensed to carry a protective rifle gives peace of mind no matter where and when.
Guides can point out which berries to eat and which herbs to pick: The crowberries and blueberries that blanket the Greenlandic hills can be so juicy and delicious that they often make locals out on a reindeer hunt forget about the animals for a minute. And a stalk of angelica or a handful of Labrador tea leaves make for the best cup of tea – be that right there on the trail or later in the evening back in civilisation. We won’t even mention the wonders it can do for the dark depths of a backpack on Day 5! But without a guide, you might not be able to identify the species, or perhaps you might be in doubt and pass up the opportunity.
ESSENTIAL READING IF YOU’RE THINKING
OF HIKING IN GREENLAND
If everyone in the hiking group is a beginner, then it’s best to choose a route that matches your abilities, e.g. a marked fell-walking route, possibly with overnight stops in huts. But how do you go about finding the best route? Well, it requires a little research, including enquiries at different tourist offices and time invested in studying tour descriptions either in books or on the Internet. You’ll then have to study the maps in more detail in order to analyse the route in relation to your abilities and to establish a realistic rhythm, e.g. 10-15 km per day in good terrain, as well as taking into account the wishes of the other members of the group – which could include trout fishing or taking time out to look more closely at historical attractions in the mountains.
The most important prerequisite for a successful trip is thorough knowledge of maps and compass or a GPS. Marked routes are good and provide a certain degree of reassurance for new beginners, but what would happen if it suddenly became very foggy and visibility was limited? In this case, it’s more than just nice to know where you are – it’s an absolute necessity! Practice makes perfect, so groups should make several trips together using a map, satellite phone and compass/GPS prior to the hike proper in order to ensure that everyone gets used to hiking together. This experience will be invaluable in the fells. Training hikes also teach you something else: establishing familiarity with your equipment. You’ll be able to break in your walking boots and get an idea of who’s to have responsibility for what – including shared equipment, which should be distributed amongst all participants owing to its weight.
There are endless possibilities for hiking trips in Greenland and it’s impossible to name all of them here. Certain routes are marked, but otherwise the majority of hikes in Greenland follow unmarked paths without bridges, signposts, etc. You can always find areas with a degree of difficulty to suit your needs, regardless of whether you’re a new beginner or an expert mountaineer. Visit Greenland has published a large number of hiking maps covering many different areas in Greenland with the routes depicted in different colours according to their degree of difficulty.
THE HIKER’S 12 COMMANDMENTS
1. Your physical condition is of course relevant in terms of your hiking trip. You must choose the route according to whatever you’re able to manage. If you have any limitations owing to health problems, you must take this into account. Don’t embark on a hike without first having carried out appropriate training and make sure you plan the trip carefully.
2. Make sure you remember to submit your hiking route to a tourist office in the area in question. They’ll then know where you are if it becomes necessary to conduct a search for you. Tell them where you’re staying, where you’re going and when you expect to return.
3. The weather is crucial on a hiking trip. Listen to the weather forecast and pay great attention to the weather conditions. How hikers cope with different weather conditions is very much an individual consideration, but don’t set out if the weather is bad!
4. Listen to good advice from experienced hikers.
5. Be prepared for bad weather and accidents, even on short trips.
6. Always remember hiking maps and compass or GPS.
7. Never go out alone.
8. Turn back before the weather conditions become critical.
9. Save your energy and look for shelter while there’s still time.
10. Always take the necessary first aid equipment with you.
11. Always bring extra warm clothing, even on short trips.
12. Don’t leave waste such as plastic, metal or other items behind. Not only do they spoil the countryside, they may also pose a potential danger to wildlife.
INFORMATION
Weather forecasts are broadcast four times a day (06:05-11:05-16:05-21:05) via VHF in English (summer only), Greenlandic and Danish. Enquire at the local tourist office as to which VHF channel you should use.
Numbers:
Weather forecast in Danish, tel. no.: 154
Shipping forecast in Danish, tel. no.: 158
Maps of hiking trails can be found in tour offices and in some book stores
There is no privately owned land in Greneland. You are free to hike anywhere you wish, but be respectful of surroundig people and land.
Follow the leave no trace mountain code and carry all trash with you for the duration of your hike.
Useful links
