Kapisillit

Note that the Icefjord is about a 3-hour hike from the settlement and requires the crossing of the Kapisillit river. If you have a boat – it is better to anchor at the far end of the bay as that provides the closest access to this key attraction.

A boat trip into the Nuuk fjord, near Kapisillit. Photo by Rebecca Gustafsson

There are several other hikes in the area including to the summit of Pingu (the mountain that rises directly about the settlement), with the Nuuk – Kapisillit, Qooqqout & Austmannadalen hiking map by Greenland Tourism and the book “Trekking around Nuuk” showing other suggested routes. Experienced backcountry trekkers may like to tackle the week-long hike back to Nuuk through remote, mountainous terrain, and adventure racers may be interested in joining the annual Nuuk – Kapisillit race that covers the same route but in only 3 days.

If you are visiting during August and September, you may have the opportunity to witness a unique event. The word “Kapisillit” means “salmon” in the Greenlandic language, as the river just outside of town is the only known location in Greenland with a spawning salmon population. These salmon are native to the Kapisillit River and genetically different to all other Atlantic salmon, making them particularly interesting to scientists. It is also possible to go fjord fishing in Greenland for cod and redfish if you have a boat. There’s lots to consider when thinking about what to do in Kapisillit!