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Trek the Arctic Circle Trail from Kangerlussuaq to Sisimiut — ten days of remote tundra, glacial views and self‑supported camping. This route demands fitness, navigation skills and respect for fragile Arctic terrain.
Trek the Arctic Circle Trail from Kangerlussuaq to Sisimiut — ten days of remote tundra, glacial views and self‑supported camping. This route demands fitness, navigation skills and respect for fragile Arctic terrain.
A thin, cold light hangs across the tundra as you shoulder a heavy pack and step off the gravel road outside Kangerlussuaq. The first day’s miles disappear under low shrub and lichen; the wind rearranges the sky and the distant ice sheet looms like a folding of the earth itself.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Forward Explorations · Kangerlussuaq, Qeqqata
A thin, cold light hangs across the tundra as you shoulder a heavy pack and step off the gravel road outside Kangerlussuaq. The first day’s miles disappear under low shrub and lichen; the wind rearranges the sky and the distant ice sheet looms like a folding of the earth itself.
This route follows trails and ancient game paths across land carved by millennia of glaciers. The Arctic Circle Trail links Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut, crossing permafrost plains, moraine ridges and clear glacial lakes. Human history here is compact but deep: Inuit settlement patterns, seasonal hunting routes, and the mid‑20th century airbase that turned Kangerlussuaq into a travel gateway.
Expect long daylight in summer, sudden weather shifts, and trails that can be wet and boggy. You’ll carry ten days of food, camp each night, and average 20–25 km (12–15 mi) a day. Wildlife is subtle — tracks and distant shapes more common than close encounters — but Arctic foxes and reindeer are frequent sights.
Practical tips: use waterproof, breathable layers and a quality sleeping system rated for near‑freezing nights; pack a reliable water filter and navigation tools; and be prepared to alter plans when weather dictates. There’s no cell service across much of the route and evacuation can be many hours away, so basic backcountry first aid and group contingency planning are essential.
When you finish in Sisimiut, the coastline’s cliffs and local cuisine feel earned. This is a raw, technical backpacking itinerary for experienced, well‑prepared hikers who want real Arctic solitude and landscape that keeps changing with every step.
challenging.
12–14 days.
High endurance and experience carrying a loaded pack over consecutive long days; comfortable with remote backcountry travel
Mid‑June through August is the standard season for daylight and thawed trails; expect mosquitoes in mid‑summer and rapidly changing weather.
Yes — this itinerary requires experience with multi‑day pack carrying, route finding, and self‑supported camping in remote conditions.
Cell service is unreliable or absent for long stretches and resupply points are rare; plan to be self‑contained for the 9–10 night crossing.
Most crossings are shallow in summer but can be fast and cold after melt; evaluate each crossing, use poles, unbuckle hipbelt if wading, and choose safer crossings when possible.
The corridor crosses lands used by Greenlandic Inuit for generations; Kangerlussuaq grew into an access hub after serving as a U.S. airbase in the 20th century.
Tundra vegetation and permafrost recover slowly; follow Leave No Trace, camp on durable surfaces, pack out waste and minimize campfires to protect fragile soils.
Forward Explorations operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
A thin, cold light hangs across the tundra as you shoulder a heavy pack and step off the gravel road outside Kangerlussuaq. The first day’s miles disappear under low shrub and lichen; the wind rearranges the sky and the distant ice sheet looms like a folding of the earth itself.
A thin, cold light hangs across the tundra as you shoulder a heavy pack and step off the gravel road outside Kangerlussuaq. The first day’s miles disappear under low shrub and lichen; the wind rearranges the sky and the distant ice sheet looms like a folding of the earth itself.
This route follows trails and ancient game paths across land carved by millennia of glaciers. The Arctic Circle Trail links Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut, crossing permafrost plains, moraine ridges and clear glacial lakes. Human history here is compact but deep: Inuit settlement patterns, seasonal hunting routes, and the mid‑20th century airbase that turned Kangerlussuaq into a travel gateway.
Expect long daylight in summer, sudden weather shifts, and trails that can be wet and boggy. You’ll carry ten days of food, camp each night, and average 20–25 km (12–15 mi) a day. Wildlife is subtle — tracks and distant shapes more common than close encounters — but Arctic foxes and reindeer are frequent sights.
Practical tips: use waterproof, breathable layers and a quality sleeping system rated for near‑freezing nights; pack a reliable water filter and navigation tools; and be prepared to alter plans when weather dictates. There’s no cell service across much of the route and evacuation can be many hours away, so basic backcountry first aid and group contingency planning are essential.
When you finish in Sisimiut, the coastline’s cliffs and local cuisine feel earned. This is a raw, technical backpacking itinerary for experienced, well‑prepared hikers who want real Arctic solitude and landscape that keeps changing with every step.