Hike the Polar Route on the Arctic Circle Trail in Greenland
Take a walk on the wild side: trek the remote Polar Route on the Arctic Circle Trail in Greenland! Be one of about 1200 lucky hikers who get to see the trail noted as one of the world’s most spectacular long distance trails. You will feel like an early explorer of this vast island (the world’s largest non-continental island and least densely populated).
The entire route is about 100 miles. On today’s show, we hike the last half from Equalugaarniarfik back to Sisimet. You hike through cotton grass, melting permafrost and a vast prairie landscape set apart by massive granite cliffs. You’ll rest by refreshing glacial lakes, stay in cozy mountain huts, and return home refreshed and invigorated.
How do I get to the trailhead?
You fly in to an old US Air Force base (now the Greenland International Airport Kangerlussuaq (Søndre Strømfjord) then take a short domestic flight to Sisimiut, then you take a boat to a landing craft, and then bushwhack your way a mile or two to the trailhead – whew!
No wonder so few hikers are lucky enough to hike this remote and rugged area – only around 1200 per year! So few trek the Polar Route of the Arctic Circle Trail that you don’t need to reserve a mountain hut. It’s one of the reasons the Arctic Circle Trail is so special!
When to Hike the Polar Route Arctic Circle Trail
While the trail is open year ’round, the hiking season runs June through September, with July and August being the best months to hike the Polar Route. You will not be hiking on permafrost (and with the glacier melting, sadly, it is a good idea to hike Greenland sooner rather than later). Freezing temperatures are generally gone by mid-May and return by October. It will still be chilly in summer, with highs in the mid-40’s to mid-50’s. At night, the temperatures drop down into the upper 30’s and lower 40’s during the summer.
Here’s a great summary of the weather in Sisimiut.
Sample Greenland Arctic Circle Trekking Vacation
Start and end with a comfortable overnight in Copenhagen ( as you’ll recall, Greenland is part of the Realm of Denmark). You will have time to take a canal tour, visit Tivoli Gardens, Carlsberg Clyptotek and downtown before flying via Air Greenland to Kangerlussuag (SFG). Then take a short flight to Sisimiut (JHS) . Take time to explore the town.
After a restful night in Sisimiut, take a boat out of Sisimiut Harbor and then transfer to a landing craft near the Maliaq inlet. Once again on land, buskwhack a couple of miles to the trail to begin your four day hike (see milage breakdown chart below).
When you make it back to civilization in Sisimiut, hit the bakery for a celebratory treat. Then it’s back to the hotel for a much deserved long, hot shower.
The next day, tour Sisimiut and visit a local artisan’s workshop, the Taseralik Culture Center and perhaps enjoy dinner with an Inuit family. The following day, to complete your Greenland experience, your take a Sisimiut Museum tour and visit with sled dogs. Then it’s back to Copenhagen.
Sample Greenland Polar Trail Hiking Itinerary
Day 1: Hike from Equlugaarniarfik to Innajuattog – 11.8 miles
Day 2: Hike to Nerumaq – 9.9 miles
Day 3: Hike to Kangerluarsuk Tulloq – 10.5 miles
Day 4: Hike in to Sisimiut – 14.3 miles
NOTE: It takes a total of 7-10 days if you want to hike the entire 97 mile route (which includes some rest days).
Who can hike the Polar Route
Anyone physically fit can hike this trail, particularly if they train. There isn’t a lot of elevation gain or loss on any given day. BUT, there are some high milage days (see hiking itinerary chart), so you need to be able to hike up to 15 miles in a day, and just as importantly, be able to hike long distances several days in a row. Contact my affiliate Trailblazer Wellness, and Becki can tailor a training program you can do from home or your gym, with the equipment you already have.
Mention ATA sent you for a 10% discount!
Where is Greenland?
Greenland is in the Arctic Circle and over 80% of the land is covered in ice (you will not be hiking on the glacier). The remaining land has supported the local Innuit people for over 4500 years. Greenland is about the size of Mexico and is the least densely populated non-continent island in the world.
How to Get to Greenland
The easiest way is to fly there from Copenhagen, although you can also fly there from Iceland. Air Greenland is the only passenger airline. Once you arrive at the main international airport, Kangerlussuaq International Airport(SFJ), you can catch a puddle jumper to Sisimiut.
Wildlife in Greenland
On your hike, you are likely to see reindeer and arctic hare, especially on Day Five of your tour, when you are hiking from Nerumaq to Kangerluarsuk Tulleq. You’ll also get some stunning fjord views that day!
Photography in Greenland
Not only will you see some cool wildlife in Greenland, but you’ll also get to take some amazing photos. The low sun this far north makes for super elongated shadows…your shadow will make you look twenty feet tall!
Where do you stay on the Polar Route?
There are mountain huts along the trail one day’s hike apart. Usually there is space to stay in them, but you should be prepared to camp outdoors if they are full. You do not need to reserve them and they are FREE! Some are quite basic and other are more cozy.
Check out the darling red hut on the lake at Innajuattoq, your first night on the trail!
Cooking in the Huts
Consider having dinner with a local Innuit family at their home.
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