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Hiking

Follow hiking trails in Greenland to reach mountaintops or traverse long distances. Or forge your own route and stand in no one’s footsteps but your own.

Greenland is the last frontier where robust nature reigns most powerful. The expansive backcountry literally knocks at the back door, and urban sprawl has not plagued these pristine mountains and lakes. Greenlanders often say that even though we build our homes next to the nature – and there is plenty of life and vibrancy in the town limits – our hearts are always happiest in the great outdoors. Come hiking in Greenland to experience a country that loves the nature just as much as you do.

HIKING ADVICE
“The entire 11 days we saw about 5 people. That is something that makes it interesting – to be in a region where there are very few people!”

Package Tours

Blue Ice Explorer: South Greenland Backpacking & hiking. 13 days

Blue Ice Explorer

South Greenland Backpacking & hiking. 13 days

A backpacking trip where you get off the beaten track! Experience life at sheep farms, settlements and the town Narsaq.

FROM €1,046
Blue Ice Explorer – South Greenland 5 days – active

Blue Ice Explorer

South Greenland 5 days – active

The famous blue icebergs of South Greenland and the charming village of Igaliku are just some of the highlights of this trip.

FROM €597
Blue Ice Explorer: Easy hiking. 8 days

Blue Ice Explorer

Easy hiking package. 8 days

Tour package for individual travellers in the best hiking area in Greenland! Accommodation at farms and in settlements.

FROM €754
Blue Ice Explorer: Round trip & hiking. 10 days

Blue Ice Explorer

Round trip & hiking. 10 days

A cocktail that includes all of the highlights of South Greenland.

FROM €1,179
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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.

For those who want to add a few shots of adrenaline and an incredible panoramic view to their hiking adventure in Greenland, take an ascending route to the top of a mountain. As you climb higher and higher, watch as your campsite or boat anchored in the water shrinks to a small dot, yet the wide, cloudless sky overhead comes so close you could touch it.

  • The most popular mountains for hiking in Greenland are 300 – 1300 meters tall and can be accomplished in a day trip.

  • East Greenland has the tallest mountains in Greenland. The tallest is near Ittoqqortoormiit, called Gunnbjørn Fjeld (3700 meters).

  • One of the longest marked hiking trails is the Arctic Circle Trail between Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut (160 km). Hikers typically take 8-9 nights to complete the trail.

  • Maps of hiking trails can be found in tour offices and in some book stores.

  • There is no privately owned land in Greenland. You are free to hike anywhere you wish, but be respectful of surrounding people and land.

  • Follow the Leave No Trace mountain code and carry all trash with you for the duration of your hike.

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.

Kujataa World Heritage

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The Arctic Circle Region is a fine place for trekking with one of the best marked hiking trails leading from the Greenland Ice Sheet all the way to the west coast. In less than two weeks you can traverse every lake and landform in the region! Not to mention the most popular hiking trail in Greenland: Arctic Circle Trail!

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.

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.

Two hikers enjoying the view from Qernertivartivit over Ammassalik Fjord in East Greenland. By Mads Pihl

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.

Two hikers overlooking Tasiusaq sheep farm in South Greenland. By Mads Pihl

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

Find inspiration for Hiking Checklist and Equipment for hiking in Greenland

Useful links

Topo Greenland, GPS electronic map
Scanmaps.dk
Delorme.com

Local providers

Red view from livingroom, Photo by Ilulissat Guesthouse

Ilulissat Guesthouse

Ilulissat, Qupaloraasuk 56,
3952,
Phone: +299 27 89 80More information
Dogs on a dog sledding trip near Ilulissat in Greenland fanning out in typical west Greenlandic fashion. Photo by Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland

Albatros Arctic Circle

Kangerlussuaq, Mittarfiit Aqq.
3910,
Phone: +299 84 16 48More information
Tasermiut 3

Tasermiut South Greenland Expeditions

Qassiarsuk, B-873 Qassiarsuk
3923,
Phone: (+299) 522 822More information

Tasiusaq Kayak Hostel

Tasiusaq,
3921,
Phone: (+299) 665 010More information
Two whales passing close to Hotel Diskobay. Photo by Espen Andersen, Visit Greenland

Hotel Diskobay

Qasigiannguit, Margrethevej 34,
3951,
Phone: (+299) 911 081 / 540 133More information
Greenland Travel 01

Greenland Travel

Copenhagen, Wilders Plads 13 A,
1403,
Phone: +45 33 13 10 11More information
Guests at Hvalsey church ruin in South Greenland. Photo by Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland

Greenland Sagalands

Qaqortoq, Vatikanbakken 68,
3920,
Phone: +299 64 24 44 / +299 49 37 41More information
Hikers in Aasivissuit UNESCO area close to Kangerlussuaq Photo by Morten Christensen

Greenland Outdoors

Kangerlussuaq, P.O.Box 87, B466
3910,
Phone: +299 24 06 16More information
Blue Iceberg. Photo by Blue Ice Explorer

Blue Ice Explorer

Narsarsuaq, Box 58
3923,
Phone: +299 66 54 99 / +299 49 73 71More information
Uummannaq and the heart-shaped mountain. Photo by Uummannaq Seasafaris ApS, Visit Greenland

Uummannaq Seasafaris APS

Uummannaq, Qernertunnguamut B -909 Box 118,
3961,
Phone: (+299) 565 982More information

World of Greenland

Ilulissat, Kussangajaannguaq 7,
3952,
Phone: (+299) 944 300More information

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