Arctic Circle Trail

You can download and print out the following trip description of the Arctic Circle Trail as a PDF by clicking here.

Click here to see the GPS coordinates for tourist huts along the trail

Click here to see the position of the new bridge (2007) across the river Oles Lakseelv/Itinneq

Also read the mountain hiking guidelines here

Before you set off
The Arctic Circle Trail from Kangerlussuaq to Sisimiut is counted as the classic hiking route in Greenland and a magnificent experience out there awaits hardened hikers.

We’ve chosen to describe the route as beginning from Kangerlussuaq which is the location of the country’s largest international airport. Most hikers start the tour from here but you can equally well start off in Sisimiut and head eastwards along the Arctic Circle.

The route meanders through a changeable landscape from the rounded moraine hills and the parched interior by Kangerlussuaq to the hilly terrain with high mountains and coastal climate near Sisimiut. This demanding hike is roughly 165 km and you shouldn’t set off unless you’re well-prepared.

Between the two habitations there are nine cabins you can use to spend the nights in. However, we recommend you take a tent with you since these cabins cannot be booked in advance and so it cannot be guaranteed there will be room for you when you arrive.Also, for some hikers more than a day’s hiking will pass between the cabins, and since the weather can change very quickly in this region, a tent is a welcome friend to have with you on the road.
 
Summer and early autumn are the best times to take this route. Taking the Arctic Circle Trail you head north of the Arctic Circle and in high summer it’s light 24 hours a day, meaning you’ll never have trouble seeing the guiding cairns marked with red semi-circles.

We’ve decided not to split the tour into actual day-stages, since your progress will depend on your training, fitness, abilities and time. Some hikers manage the tour in a week, but 10-12 days is the normal time for the Arctic Circle Trail, in order to allow some extra days in the event of poor weather, a diversion or two underway, and a comfortable pace, in which you’ll also have time to take in the Arctic mountain world around you.

The description of the route is not an exhaustive one and does not constitute an independent travel guide. You always need to be well-prepared, have a hiking map, a compass and good knowledge of how to use both.

A trip description can always only give an impression of the actual conditions on the ground. Ice and snow can hamper the trip, rivers can swell with rainwater and the weather suddenly change, requiring good navigation skills. Respect the mountains and take them seriously, then you’ll have a great experience.

The tour begins here
Some hikers opt to take the day’s hike from Kangerlussuaq along the dirt road to Kangerlussuaq Harbour, where the proper path starts. Others hire a local taxi or tour operator to drive this stretch to another dirt road, where they begin the hike by passing the Kelly Ville research station and continuing up to a large concrete plinth on a hilltop.

This is where the Arctic Circle Trail to Sisimiut begins. The first cairn is located right by a quite visible path leading in the direction of Hundesøen.

Remember to fill your water bottles before setting off as the Tarajornitsut lakes are saline. If you’ve forgotten to take your water along, you can fill up at the first lake right after Kelly Ville. But watch out for the small lakes and ideally take drinking water from the large lakes or from the small rivers where the water renewal is higher and the water is better oxygenated. It’s important to bring water bottles as it may be a while between good drinking water – especially furthest towards the east on the route.

Just before the Hundesøen the hiking route turns southward, away from the path used by reindeer hunters. You’ll pass right by a former mobile home, which is marked on the map. From here, you’ll head south around the Hundesøen and further south around the Limnæasøen.

The path isn’t very clear here, but follow the cairns and it will gradually become clearly visible again. The area around here can be warm and full of biting insects, especially in high summer, but on the plus side, here in the wide, flat area you’ve good chances of seeing reindeer. Great northern divers nest on the lakes, where you can often both hear and see them, and if you can take your eyes off the reindeer, these large, fine birds are certainly worth a look.

At the start of the long lake after the Limnæasø the gradual and calm ascent to the southwest begins. You’ll arrive at a flat area from which you’ll head west, following the cairns upwards. You can also opt to not hike right up by the cairns, but instead keep closer to the lakes; but the terrain there is softer and not so good under foot.

Next, you’ll hike north around the two small lakes and then down towards the tent pitch marked on the map. There are fairly good paths down to the pitching site by Lake Qarlissuit, where you’ll cross a small river. The ground can be swampy just before this river, but even between the two lakes it’s very narrow. However, depending on the quantity of water at the time, it may be necessary to remove both your boots and trousers, as the crossing can be deep and oblong in form.

Once you’ve crossed the river, the path goes south along the lake for a short way, after which, you’ll turn away from the lake, following path and cairns upwards, south around a cluster of hills and continuing on the trail, which sometimes disappears. The visible track reappears in the ravine, and this part of the route is clearly marked with cairns.

Later, you’ll head uphill again. When you reach the top of the mountain, there’s a fine view of the mountains and Lake Qardlissuit, which you passed earlier – worth standing for a while and enjoying. Also from here, to the southwest, you can also see a little of the 30 km long Lake Amitsorssuaq which you’ll soon be walking along.

Next, you’ll start to descend. You’ll head up and down for a while, but at a place where you can see Lake Qardlissuit, beside the larger of two islands, you’ll head down towards the shores of the lake, even though you’re already on a good path. From here you’ll come down to the lake, where you’ll find a new path.

Where the lake ends you’ll go through a narrow pass and then follow the path downward. After a short time you’ll be able to see the river and the cabin at the end of the large lake. Now it’s just about descending down to the cabin, where you can also pitch a tent.

If you’re lucky there’ll be canoes on the lake by the cabin. You can take these out for a pleasure trip in the evening sun, but bear in mind you may encounter sudden, powerful gusts of wind along the lake, and you should paddle close to land. There’s also a good path along the shore heading south around the long lake and all the way round.

The Arctic Circle Trail continues from the cabin towards Sisimiut. Some way from the Amitsorssuaq cabin you’ll come across a large rock field.Watch where you put your feet and remember to keep the height of your rucksack in mind, so it doesn’t catch on the large stones.

A short time after you’ll arrive at the next rock field, which is crossed just as the first one. Then follow the path, which goes up across a small headland to a sandy beach, where you’ll find good places to pitch your tent.

If rock fields don’t interest you, you might be able to head behind the clusters of hills until you reach the sandy beach before the large headland to the west.

The path will now begin to slope upwards to the southwest just before and behind the cluster of hills, and the path then heads towards Amitsorssuaq again, and along Amitsorssuaq it’s well visible and of good quality.

About 4 kilometres before the end of Amitsorsuaq is the former Canoeing Centre, which is a large cabin with enough room for many people.

Where Amitsorsuaq ends is the best place to cross the river, as the terrain on the opposite is more passable. You can make this crossing without getting your feet wet, and you’ll then continue a little way before crossing the river again, now following the flat landscape.

You’ll find the terrain to be swampy here and there, and around 2-3 km from Amitsorssuaq you’ll turn west and follow the path down towards Lake Taserssuaq. The going can get difficult now in some places due to the soft ground, and if by now you can’t feel the soles of your feet and ankles, most people start feeling them in this kind of terrain.

When you’re about to arrive at Lake Taserssuaq you’ll be able to see a cairn, situated a little higher up to the west. You need not hike up there, but can benefit by going round the cluster of hills closer to the lake, where there are several good reindeer paths to follow.

After rounding the hills, the path heads upward and across the headland, where a pitching site is indicated on the map. From here you are to head down on the other side to the sandy beach, where you’ll also find good spots to pitch your tent. Make sure you fill your water bottles here, since on the next stretch of the trail you might not encounter any suitable water for a while.

Now head on the flat area directly west until you sight the mountain where there’s a cairn, before an excellent path with several cairns continues upwards. From here you’ll ascend along a good path which is well signed. After you reach about 350 metres up, the descent will start and you can again fill up your water bottles down at the lakes.

While at the top, though, take time to enjoy the view of the around 40 km long Lake Taserssuaq, and in clear weather you can also see the splendid mountains on its north side.

After some more hiking you’ll be able to make out the tourist cabin at Lake Ikkarlluttoq, but be careful not to underestimate the large distances in the mountains.You’re still a good way from the cabin, but on the other hand, the path leading down to it is reasonably good, and on the other side of the cabin you can ascend towards the north by following the good paths and cairns.

Once you’ve climbed to the level of 448 metres you’ll enjoy a fine view out towards Oles Lakseelv and from here you’ll again descend with the help of good cairns.

Before descending again, you can from the top also get an idea of which route you’ll take towards the large river. Remember to fill up your drinking bottles before starting the descent, walking an electrically-signed route down to the valley. There are no cairns in the valley due to a lack of stone. Lucky you have a hiking map and maybe even a competent guide!

Once you’ve seen the north side of the river on the map you’ll have an idea of what’s required in order to cross it. The cairn you’re looking for is located between two lakes, and before the mountain north of the river you can find the cairn on the south side of the river. The ground is soft and marshy on the way to the river, but in the nearby willow scrub it’s drier and easier to walk on.

From the cairn you can opt to wade across the river. Or use the bridge! If you choose the first option, it’s better to hike from the cairn higher up towards the lake along the river until 50-100 m from the cairn you find narrow spot where the river’s rapid. Cross over here, and if the water level’s normal, it won’t go above your knees. But remember to take care. The water is cold and after rain or melting of ice even a small waterway can become a dangerous current.

A bridge was built in 2007 and you’ll find it somewhat further down along Oles Lakseelv. This bridge is not marked on the current maps, but in the final cabin on each side of the river you’ll find a map containing updated information on the location of the bridge. If you use the bridge, you’ll need to head north on the other side to find the path again.

Click here to see the position of the new bridge (2007) across the river Oles Lakseelv/Itinneq

On the other side of the river, you’ll continue right to the bluff, where you’ll find a good path. On the other side of the cairn the path continues more in a straight line away from the side of the mountain. A little after this you can return to the bluff and find the path, which you’ll follow until you’ve passed a bit of mountain with a cairn.

Here you’ll find the path again and you can follow it the whole way up along the bluff towards the southwest. Where you can see the path turn to the north is a cairn. Follow the path along and around the mountain to the north and shortly after you’ll see a tourist cabin, which was put up after the current hiking map was printed. But the cabin is real enough!

From the cabin head north, where you’ll encounter another river to be crossed. You can either take your shoes off and head towards the cairn, which lies on a small cluster of hills on the opposite side of the river, or you can go a bit higher up and hop from stone to stone to cross. Remember to fill your water bottles with cold and clear Arctic water.

Then continue to the cairn and follow the path upwards, where you’ll find further cairns. The path is very steep but not especially taxing because of the solid, well-trodden surface.

Follow the path towards the 290 lake, which lies to the north. When you reach the final mountain up here, the route and the cairns turn to the west, and from here you can enjoy the spectacular view. The view’s wonderful. And around you you’ll be looking at fine hunting grounds, where reindeer hunters often come in the hunting season around August and September.

From here, the Arctic Circle Trail continues on the mountain ridge, until the ridge itself heads downwards. The cairns first point the path in a southerly direction and then towards the west, before you come right down to the large lake (south of point 407). Before you arrive at the bottom there’s a small lake which is a good place for pitching a tent.
 
Down by the large lake south of point 407 you’ll hike southward, where you’ll find a good path to follow. After the lake a path comes down from the hills which you’ll now follow towards the long lake. Alternatively, you can also hike directly along the large lake and over towards the long lake past the tent site marked on the map.
 
You’ll find cairns to follow down to the long lake. To begin with you’ll encounter high willow bush, but close to the lake there’s a good path. After hiking along the lake, the route turns to the south a bit before the wide river, which you’ll only see once you’ve climbed some.

Shortly after, the trail again goes down towards another lake. Hike south round that lake, then follow the path as it rounds close to the mountain. Soon after, in the west, you’ll see the small cabin erected on a cluster of hills. This cabin is marked on the hiking map and is a lovely place to spend the night; however, it’s some way from any water.

After the map was printed a new, large tourist cabin was put up north of this small cabin, located on the shore of the lake, around a kilometre from the small cabin. Here you’ll enjoy a fantastic view of the lake, where you can also often spot great northern divers.

When setting out from the tourist cabins, head north to where the river runs from the lake. When crossing the river, we advise taking your shoes off; but you can also make the crossing a bit further from the lake by hopping from stone to stone. This is also a good spot to refill your water bottles.

The path follows the bank of the lake closely, and a little before the end of the lake, the terrain rises towards a small river. Here the path is a bit unclear in places, but the cairns will show you the way.

Before the small lake, which drains off into the river, head north around the lake, alongside the steep mountainside. This will continue for a decent stretch. The path here is good but undulating.

At some point you’ll need to follow the cairns a bit further to the south, away from a reindeer path you’re on. Before the terrain again becomes flatter there’s a fine view down through the valley, to which a path leads right to the bottom, and since the landscape falls evenly, the descent is relatively easy.

Down in the valley, follow the path on the north side of the river. Once you’ve hit the path you’ll soon see a small cabin and after the bend close to a lake is a good fishing spot for Arctic char.

This cabin isn’t on the hiking map either, since it was only put up after the map went to press. After the cabin, where the river flows out from the small lake, you can cross without difficulty and head down a good path.

Next you’ll round a mountain which juts out a bit and a little later the path leads up onto some large gravel deposits. When the path again descends follow the edge of the deposits, since the area is otherwise very marshy. In the middle of willow scrub is a path, but is less visible after the scrub and hard to follow, and at the same time this terrain is harder to traverse.

Next you’ll come to a river which you’ll cross where the cairn is sited. This a little bit before the gorge the river empties into. Normally you’ll need to remove your shoes and trousers to cross this ford, but remember to check the water level before you wade in.

Next, the trail climbs a bit before the cairns point the way down to the river. Here, you’ll hike some way along the river, which you’ll cross at the cairn. Again, you’re advised to remove your shoes and trousers, as the water is normally knee-height. However, at times there’s so little water in the river that you can hop from stone to stone and not get your feet wet.

From here follow the cairns first southward and then westward for quite some way. The path at this stage is quite good to walk on and you’ll need to hold course for a cairn sited on a mountain. From here you can either go south across soft terrain, or follow the river, where there’s a clear path.

Once you begin to head west towards the large lake, it’s best to go a bit up along the slopes, as the terrain further down is moist and marshy from the river. South of the lake, the path is close to its shore, and once you reach a headland, you’ll head a bit away from the lake. Here you’ll find a small river which you can leap over, after which, the path again runs close by the lake.

Almost at the end of the lake you’ll climb to the west by a small river. Cairns will show the route away from the lake and you’ll follow a small river uphill. Where the terrain aga