Roughly 80 p.c of Greenland is roofed by an unlimited ice sheet. The remaining 20 p.c of this mockingly named island is a coastal hall that’s largely ice-free throughout the summer season months. It’s right here, among the many sparsely populated bays, inlets, and fjords, that the Arctic Circle Path (ACT) might be discovered, a legendary mountain climbing route that traverses essentially the most intensive strip of terra firma in western Greenland.
The ACT stretches 165 km (103 mi) between the cities of Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut. Throughout its course, the path passes by way of a starkly stunning panorama of sweeping tundra, shimmering lakes, rocky mountains, and broad glacial valleys. I hiked the ACT (plus the 35 km/21.7 mi “Ice Sheet” extension) over six days within the late summer season of 2022. It was a part of a memorable two-month backpacking/guide analysis journey within the Nordic area, which included stints within the Faroe Islands, Lapland, and southern Norway.
At a Look
Distance: 200 km (124 mi) – Together with the 35 km/21.7 mi “Icecap” Extension (See Prologue)
Common Period: 10 days
Issue Stage: Average
Begin: Kangerlussuaq or Level 660 (i.e., The sting of the Greenland Ice Sheet).
End: Sisimiut
Whole Elevation Acquire & Loss: 2,349 m (7,707 ft)
Arctic Circle Path Overview Map (Cicerone Press Guidebook (see Planning Data)
Highlights
- Pre-trek go to to the Greenland Ice Sheet.
- A myriad of lakes and tarns alongside the size of the path.
- Seeing the Aurora Borealis (late August/early September)
- Recognizing reindeer, muskoxen, arctic foxes, and arctic hares.
- Trailside Blueberries and Crowberries with breakfast and snacks
- Silence: I didn’t meet too many different hikers throughout my journey. Auditorily talking, strolling solo by way of the Arctic tundra generally jogs my memory of distant desert areas – usually, it’s simply you and the wind.
Getting There & Away:
- Kangerlussuaq Airport is the worldwide hub for Air Greenland, and hikers can fly there immediately from Reykjavik or Copenhagen. From the terminus in Sisimiut, there are each day continuous flights again to Kangerlussuaq. Alternatively, from Sisimiut, you may catch the Sarfaq Ittuk Passenger Ferry southbound to Nuuk (Greenland’s capital) or north to Ilulissat, famed for its namesake icefjord.
Baggage Declare at Kangerlussuaq Airport – stands out as the shortest (and positively the least circuitous) conveyor belt I’ve seen at a global airport.
The principle grocery store and the street junction of Kangerlussuaq. Go left for the ACT and proper to the “Icecab.”
Season
- The snowmelt usually begins in early June, a precursor of excessive river crossings, boggy trails, and the start of bug season. The mosquitos’ nuisance stage will increase from mid-June by way of July, not relenting till the primary frosts arrive in mid-August. In the event you’re mountain climbing throughout this era, a head internet generally is a sanity-saver.
- By mid-September, the times have turn out to be shorter, the nights considerably colder, and early-season snowfalls are an growing chance. That mentioned, for knowledgeable hikers, this may be a superb time to stroll the path, with the rewards coming within the type of extra solitude and the prospect to expertise the Aurora Borealis.
Late summer season sundown on the ACT
Six hours later…………..Aurora Borealis from the identical campsite.
Planning Data
- Guidebook: The superb Trekking in Greenland: The Arctic Circle Path (Cicerone Press) offers an in depth abstract of the path, together with trekking notes, fundamental maps, facet journey recommendations, distance and time estimates, and logistical info. The guide is accessible in Kindle or paperback (2nd version – Jan. 2024).
- On-line Assets: The go-to useful resource is the Arctic Circle Path’s official web site. Data consists of GPX Tracks and up-to-date beta on path circumstances. The location additionally has a great deal of helpful data on getting there and away, lodging, security, natural world, and pre-and post-hike journey recommendations. For detailed journey stories together with some nice pictures, try Lisa Germany’s web site and Skilled Vagabond.
- Cell/Cell Telephone Protection: As of 2024, there isn’t any protection between the trailhead cities of Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut.
- Permits: As of this writing (July 2024), no permits are required to hike the Arctic Circle Path.
- What did I take advantage of for the ACT?: 1. Kindle Model of Trekking in Greenland; 2. GPX Observe of the path on my GaiaGPS app, and; 3. 1:100,000 maps bought on the present retailer reverse the airport in Kangerlussuaq.
Resupply & Water:
- Meals: Hikers should be self-sufficient on the ACT, as there’s nowhere to buy meals or gear between Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut. Although provides might be purchased at both of the trailhead cities, costs will likely be considerably increased than in continental Europe. It’s due to this fact advisable that you just carry all you want, apart from gasoline or liquid gas in your tenting range, which might be bought upon arrival in Kangerlussuaq (on the grocery store simply throughout from the airport) or at Sisimiut.
- Water: Plentiful all through the hike. You shouldn’t have to hold greater than 1-1.5 liters at a time. It’s usually thought-about secure to drink immediately from streams and lakes with out remedy on the ACT.
Path Notes:
- Prologue: Earlier than starting the Arctic Circle Path, most hikers make a facet journey to Level 660, situated on the sting of the unimaginable Greenland Ice Sheet. Located 35 km (21.7 mi) east of Kangerlussuaq, the native landmark is usually visited as a part of a half-day tour with an organized tour firm. For people who would love somewhat extra time to discover, prepare to be left on the ice sheet after which stroll again alongside the dust street to Kangerlussuaq. Throughout the return journey, you may camp close to the majestic Russell Glacier, situated 11 km (6.8 mi) from Level 660.
As soon as the shuttle bus has left for the return journey to Kangerlussuaq, it’s possible you’ll properly have the Ice Sheet all to your self.
The way in which again to Kangerlussuaq from the Ice Sheet is dotted with glacial lakes and streams.
Russell Glacier and yours really.
Strolling in direction of the Arctic sundown.
In 2000, the German firm Volkswagen constructed the dust street between Kangerlussuaq and the Ice Sheet to check its automobiles in excessive circumstances.
Sandflugtdalen at dawn
The stays of a 1968 airplane crash (the pilot ejected safely).
- Path Markings: The ACT is properly marked by repeatedly spaced cairns, lots of that are painted with a crimson half-circle (in recognition of the Greenland flag) and adorned with reindeer antlers (a nod to the Arctic’s most beloved four-legged residents). Throughout its course, you’ll periodically ascend and descend rocky hilltops, which provide far-ranging views over the arctic terrain. Along with the vistas, these hilltops usually catch extra of a breeze than the usually boggy lowland areas, making them good for an prolonged break over breakfast or lunch throughout the bug season.
- “The Land of One Hundred Lakes”: The ACT passes by way of an space regionally generally known as the “land of 100 lakes.” I’m unsure in regards to the precise quantity, however I can attest that throughout the hike, you’re by no means too removed from water. The most important lake on the ACT is Amitsorsuaq (23 km/14 mi lengthy). The path hugs Amitsorsuaq’s southern shoreline for its total size. For these wishing to relaxation their legs or maybe soak within the environment from a distinct perspective, it could be attainable to quickly change your mountain climbing footwear for a canoe. If excited by taking the aquatic possibility, when you attain the lake’s easternmost level at Katiffik Hut, start to maintain a watch out for one of many handful of communal canoes alongside the shoreline (Tip: On the time of writing, Amitsorsuaq’s canoes are in want of some TLC. Simply in case you get a leaky one, make sure to line your backpack with a big trash compactor bag with a view to hold the whole lot dry throughout the paddle).
- Flora & Fauna: Throughout the ACT, hikers could spot an array of wildlife, resembling reindeer and muskoxen, together with smaller, extra timid creatures such because the Arctic hare and Arctic fox. On the flora entrance, sprinkled among the many tundra, are blueberries, crowberries, and bearberries, all of that are edible and make for a tasty praise to your cereal or path combine.
Muskoxen – Certainly one of Greenland’s most iconic animals, Muskoxen stand roughly 1.5 m (5 ft) on the shoulder and tip the scales at as much as 400 kg (900 lbs). Regardless of their look, Muskoxen are extra intently associated to sheep and goats than they’re to cows and bison.
Grazing Reindeer, Hidden Arctic Fox
Plentiful crowberries might be discovered alongside the size of the path.
- Southern Route Alternate: Lately, an ATV monitor between Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut has been constructed. There are just a few areas the place it overlaps with the ACT mountain climbing path. In 2022, I noticed no ATV exercise, although this can change going ahead. To protect the path’s wilderness character, a Southern ACT Alternate route has been developed (GPX data). The Southern Alternate is barely longer, extra distant, not as properly cairned, and has no established footpath. I used to be blissful taking the unique route throughout my 2022 hike, although if I had been to deal with the ACT once more, I’d go along with the Southern Alternate. Concerning its present standing, the parents behind the path’s improvement had this to say on the ACT Fb Web page (Might 15, 2023):
“The Southern Route has no tread to comply with and really restricted markings. In 2023 and 2024, the main focus is on marking the Southern Route properly sufficient that it turns into a viable different to the principle route in 2025. In the event you don’t have quite a lot of expertise with backcountry navigation and have by no means walked off-trail earlier than, we don’t advocate the Southern Route at this stage.”
Sleeping
- Wild tenting or fundamental backcountry huts.
- The huts alongside the Arctic Circle Path (ACT) are free and function on a first-come-first-served foundation. They’re unstaffed, differ in measurement and luxury, and sleep between 6 and 22 individuals. Take a few of these occupancy estimates with a sizeable grain of Arctic sea salt.
- There are ten huts in whole on the ACT. From east to west, they’re as follows: Hundesø, Katiffik, Canoe Middle, Ikkattooq, Eqalugaarniarfik, Nerumaq, Innajuattoq I, Innajuattoq II (aka “The Lake Home”), Kangerluarsuk Tulleq Syd, and Kangerluarsuk Tulleq Nord.
- Although the huts generally is a sanctuary throughout inclement climate, most hikers carry their very own shelters and wild camp alongside the path as a result of their restricted sleeping capability. From all stories, they are often jam-packed throughout the peak season of July and August.
- My Expertise?: I wild camped aside from an unplanned evening on the palatial Canoe Middle Hut (sleeps greater than 20). The mix of wet climate and a dormitory all to myself, made it a no brainer. As an surprising bonus, there was loads of room to dry out my gear, and due to some newly put in photo voltaic panels, it was even attainable to cost electronics.
The scenically situated Innajuattoq Hut (aka “The Lake Home”).
Ultimate Suggestions for the ACT
1. Hike the Icecap Extension – Sure, it provides an additional 35 km/21.7 mi, however this was one among my favorite elements of the journey. Having the chance to soak within the Icecap on my lonesome made a unprecedented place much more magical. The return stroll to Kangerlussuaq featured reindeer, unimaginable lakes and waterfalls, the majestic Russell Glacier, Sandflugtdalen at dawn, and a facet journey up Sugarloaf Mountain. Bonus Tip: Take simply sufficient meals for this part, after which choose up the remainder of your provides when passing by way of Kangerlussuaq. Talking of which……….
2. Gear Storage & Postage: In the event you plan to return to Kangerlussuaq after the ACT, the entire lodging choices in Kangerlussuaq provide free baggage storage to friends. Alternatively, you may hire one of many storage lockers contained in the airport. For many who will journey onwards after Sisimiut, you may submit your non-hiking gear forward from the Tele-Put up workplace in Kangerlussuaq (closed on the weekend).
3. Bugs & Mud: As talked about above, most people deal with the ACT from late June to late August. In the event you’re mountain climbing throughout this era (a minimum of up till mid-August), count on to come across relentless hordes of mosquitos and quite a lot of mud. For some people, these Arctic staples signify essentially the most difficult facet of their expertise. Just a few ideas to assist mitigate their influence: 1. Convey a head internet and have it useful always (bug repellant can be helpful); 2. Take your breaks on breezy excessive factors; 3. Put on light-weight gaiters, which may help cease mud from getting within the high of your footwear; 4. Go for breathable, quick-drying, non-Goretex path trainers over heavy leather-based boots; 4. Air your ft out throughout the day over lunch or prolonged snack breaks, and; 5. At day’s finish, give your ft a radical cleansing and allow them to air out earlier than placing in your socks and moving into your sleeping bag (Observe: In the event you plan on spending quite a lot of time within the huts, carry alongside a pair of light-weight flip-flops).
4. Relaxation & Regenerate: In the event you’re sore of foot, weary of limb, and the bugs and dust are driving you somewhat bit loopy, take into account taking a relaxation day on the spacious Canoe Middle Hut. Situated round 60 km (37 mi) from Kangerlussuaq (or 95 km/59 mi from the Ice Sheet), it makes for a sensible location to relaxation and recharge (each internally and electronically), in addition to dry out all of your gear. Only for one thing completely different, you may even take a canoe for a spin or go for a swim within the bracing waters of Lake Amitsorsuaq.
Shelter and Watercraft on the Canoe Middle
5. Exterior Contact: Given the path’s remoteness and lack of telephone sign, it’s a good suggestion to carry alongside a Satellite tv for pc Messenger in case of an emergency (e.g. Garmin inReach Mini 2). I picked one among these up 4 years in the past, and proceed to be amazed at its gossamer weight (100 g/3.5 oz) and long-lasting battery life (i.e., Usually round a month between fees. Observe, I don’t use the monitoring function and have a tendency to restrict messages largely to the “In Camp” be aware at day’s finish).
6. Facet Journey to Nasaasaaq Summit: A great manner for westbounders to complete their journey is with a visit to the summit of Nasaasaaq. Measuring 784 m (2,572 ft), this distinguished rocky mountain immediately overlooks the city of Sisimiut and affords a wide-ranging panorama over the neighboring islands and out into the open sea. I used to be planning to move up Nasaasaaq on the ultimate morning of the ACT, however Mom Nature had different concepts within the type of a heavy storm. When you have higher luck with the meteorological gods, the views look superb.
The calm earlier than the storm – remaining campsite on the ACT (situated near the start of the summit path to Nasaasaaq).
7. Preparation: Most hikers take between 8 and 10 days to finish the ACT (not counting the Ice Sheet extension). That’s quite a lot of meals to hold on a path with no resupply choices. Couple that with an Arctic-appropriate package, and it’s not shocking to see some individuals starting the ACT with hundreds that may make a sherpa wince. Due to this fact, it behooves you to be in respectable backpacking form from the outset and be deliberate along with your gear decisions (i.e., Preserve issues easy with out going overboard and deal with practicality and necessity over superfluous luxuries).
Being in good nick and paring down your package isn’t a backpacking panacea. Nonetheless, the potential advantages are multifold. It’s higher in your physique (particularly for these of us who’re chronologically challenged), because it lessens the chance of stress/repetition-related accidents resembling knee, foot, again, and Achilles illnesses. It’s additionally higher in your thoughts, which, with out the distraction of an excessively heavy load or an underdone preparation, is free to focus extra on the wonder and marvel of your environment.
The place necessity and marvel meet on the ACT – might this be Greenland’s most scenic privy?
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