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What makes Qeqertarsuaq special?
Qeqertarsuaq is unique in all of Greenland. Featuring black sand beaches littered with small sparkling ice fragments, tall reddish-black mountains that rise precipitously above its colourful buildings, an impossibly lush backcountry in which more than half of Greenland’s plant species are found, and artistically contorted columns of basalt rock, Qeqertarsuaq stands apart in Greenland’s only volcanic region.
Hikers, in particular, are drawn to the unusual geology and colourful landscapes around Qeqertarsuaq, which also offer front-row seats to the enormous icebergs and some of the best whale watching in Disko Bay.
How to get to Qeqertarsuaq
Qeqertarsuaq lies on the opposite side of Disko Bay to Ilulissat and is located on Disko Island itself. International visitors must first fly to Ilulissat and then take a helicopter (all year) or boat transfer (summer) from there to reach the town.
DiskoLine sails directly to Qeqertarsuaq from Ilulissat or Aasiaat, or you can settlement-hop from other locations around Disko Bay. Qeqertarsuaq is also one of the port calls for the Sarfaq Ittuk passenger ferry between May and December.
The best times to visit Qeqertarsuaq are
- June – September (hiking, sailing, whale watching)
- January – April (dog sledding, whale watching)
- October – March (Northern Lights)
How to get around Qeqertarsuaq
Qeqertarsuaq is a small settlement where you simply walk everywhere or hire a mountain bike if you want to get around more quickly.
For excursions in the area, the most common way to get around is by boat or on foot during the summer, or with dogsled or snowshoes during the winter.
Useful phone numbers
- Police (+299) 70 14 25
- Hospital (+299) 92 12 11
Discover local stays, tours & tastes!
What to do in Qeqertarsuaq
Qeqertarsuaq is primarily a summer playground with hiking the most popular game. Several well-marked trails lead you to a lookout point for whalers (1h), a good-sized waterfall at Qorlortorsuaq (1.5hrs, easy), the twisted basalt columns and abundant Angelica (a herb) at Kuannit (half-day, moderate), and the summit of the mountains that lie behind the town and the Lyngmark Glacier (full day, strenuous). While all of these excursions can be done independently, joining a guided tour also allows you to learn more about the unique nature of the island. It also means that you can stay overnight at the lodge that sits at the foot of the Lyngmark glacier for unparalleled views over Disko Bay.
Other summer excursions include town walks that will highlight key sites within Qeqertarsuaq, whale watching amongst the enormous icebergs in Disko Bay, and a full-day trip to Kangerluk – a small settlement of fewer than 50 residents and the only other inhabited location on the island.
Not many people visit Qeqertarsuaq during winter, but there are short, introductory dog sledding excursions and a snowmobile adventure if you do make it there for the snow. There’s also the possibility of seeing the bowhead whale wintering in Greenland. If you’re lucky, you might even catch sight of the beluga and even more elusive narwhal!
Self-guided activities in Qeqertarsuaq
Qeqertarsuaq is a haven for independent travelers who enjoy nature and just want to do their own thing. It is easy to follow the red hiking route to the waterfall, the yellow route to Kuannit, or the blue route to the Lyngmark glacier, as all are well marked and leave from the outskirts of town. More experienced hikers can also venture further along unmarked trails, including exploring more of the beautiful and amazingly lush Blæsedalen Valley.
In town, you can’t miss Qeqertarsuaq’s artistically styled church (Vorherres blækhus) on your way to visiting the fantastic Kuannit Art studio. Sit down with a cup of tea made from herbs picked in the backcountry surrounding town, and chat with the creator of the enormous range of artwork and souvenirs that are on display.
Learn more about the history of Qeqertarsuaq at the museum before heading along the black sand beach towards the beautiful colonial building that houses the University of Copenhagen’s Arctic Station. Climb any of the hills in the vicinity for a stunning view over the bright green astroturf of the Qeqertarsuaq football field (soccer is huge in Greenland), which is set against the deep blue of Disko Bay and its brilliantly white icebergs.
Good to know
- Greenlandic legend says that Qeqertarsuaq stands out so verdantly in Disko Bay because it was not originally located here. Due to its size, Qeqertarsuaq was in the way for hunters. In order to protect it, two hunters pulled it from its original position in South Greenland with nothing but their kayaks and a single baby’s hair. As it entered Disko Bay, a witch in Ilulissat spied the lush green island heading north and cast a spell to run it aground where it stands today.
- Although the Lyngmark glacier is the most easily visited, it is much smaller than Disko Island’s enormous Sermersuaq Glacier (“Grand Glacier”) that lies further inland.
- Rasmus Lerdorf, co-author of the PHP scripting language, was born in Qeqertarsuaq.
- Qeqertarsuaq means “big island” in the Greenlandic language. Its Danish name was Godhavn, which means “good harbour” due to its naturally sheltered harbour, when it was a colony.
- Qeqertarsuaq has one Pilersuisoq supermarket that stocks a little of everything (including limited, basic camping supplies), as well as the Amiisoq convenience store.
- Souvenirs are often sold near the supermarket in the centre of town, but make sure you take the short walk out to Kuannit Art to discover high-quality, original creations by a local artist.