A Fast & Soiled Information to the Arctic Circle Path

Roughly 80 % of Greenland is roofed by an enormous ice sheet. The remaining 20 % of this mockingly named island is a coastal hall that’s principally ice-free through the summer time months. It’s right here, among the many sparsely populated bays, inlets, and fjords, that the Arctic Circle Path (ACT) could be discovered, a legendary mountain climbing route that traverses probably 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 via 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 time of 2022. It was a part of a memorable two-month backpacking/e-book 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 Length:  10 days 

Issue Stage:  Reasonable

Begin:  Kangerlussuaq or Level 660 (i.e., The sting of the Greenland Ice Sheet).

End:  Sisimiut

Complete Elevation Achieve & Loss:  2,349 m (7,707 ft)

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 via the Arctic tundra typically 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 instantly from Reykjavik or Copenhagen. From the terminus in Sisimiut, there are every 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.

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 via July, not relenting till the primary frosts arrive in mid-August. In the event you’re mountain climbing throughout this era, a head internet is usually a sanity-saver. 

• By mid-September, the times have grow to be shorter, the nights considerably colder, and early-season snowfalls are an rising chance. That mentioned, for skilled hikers, this may be a superb time to stroll the path, with the rewards coming within the type of extra solitude and the possibility to expertise the Aurora Borealis.

Planning Data 

• Guidebook: The superb Trekking in Greenland: The Arctic Circle Path (Cicerone Press) supplies an in depth abstract of the path, together with trekking notes, primary maps, facet journey recommendations, distance and time estimates, and logistical data. The e-book is accessible in Kindle or paperback (2nd version – Jan. 2024).

• On-line Sources: The go-to useful resource is the Arctic Circle Path’s official web site. Data contains GPX Tracks and up-to-date beta on path situations. 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 photographs, try Lisa Germany’s web site and Knowledgeable 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 exploit 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 reward retailer reverse the airport in Kangerlussuaq.

Resupply & Water:

• Meals: Hikers must be self-sufficient on the ACT, as there’s nowhere to buy meals or gear between Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut. Although provides could be purchased at both of the trailhead cities, costs can be considerably larger than in continental Europe. It’s subsequently really helpful that you just carry all you want, aside from fuel or liquid gasoline on your tenting range, which could 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 of secure to drink instantly 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, positioned 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 those who would really like a little bit extra time to discover, prepare to be left on the ice sheet after which stroll again alongside the grime highway to Kangerlussuaq. Throughout the return journey, you may camp close to the majestic Russell Glacier, positioned 11 km (6.8 mi) from Level 660.

• Path Markings: The ACT is properly marked by commonly 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 supply far-ranging views over the arctic terrain. Along with the vistas, these hilltops usually catch extra of a breeze than the customarily boggy lowland areas, making them good for an prolonged break over breakfast or lunch through the bug season.

• “The Land of One Hundred Lakes”: The ACT passes via an space domestically referred to as the “land of 100 lakes.” I’m unsure concerning the actual quantity, however I can attest that through the hike, you’re by no means too removed from water. The biggest 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 special perspective, it might be attainable to briefly alternate your mountain climbing footwear for a canoe. If interested by taking the aquatic choice, 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 you line your backpack with a big trash compactor bag with a purpose to hold the whole lot dry through 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.

• Southern Route Alternate:  Lately, an ATV monitor between Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut has been constructed. There are a number of areas the place it overlaps with the ACT mountain climbing path. In 2022, I noticed no ATV exercise, although this may 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 joyful taking the unique route throughout my 2022 hike, although if I have been to sort out the ACT once more, I’d go together with the Southern Alternate. Concerning its present standing, the oldsters behind the path’s growth 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 various to the principle route in 2025. In the event you don’t have plenty 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 primary 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 dimension and luxury, and sleep between 6 and 22 folks. 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 Heart, Ikkattooq, Eqalugaarniarfik, Nerumaq, Innajuattoq I, Innajuattoq II (aka “The Lake Home”), Kangerluarsuk Tulleq Syd, and Kangerluarsuk Tulleq Nord.

• Although the huts is usually 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 through the peak season of July and August.

• My Expertise?: I wild camped aside from an unplanned night time on the palatial Canoe Heart Hut (sleeps greater than 20). The mixture 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 because of some newly put in photo voltaic panels, it was even attainable to cost electronics.

Remaining Ideas for the ACT

1.  Hike the Icecap Extension – Sure, it provides an additional 35 km/21.7 mi, however this was one in all my favorite elements of the journey. Having the chance to soak within the Icecap on my lonesome made a rare 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 decide up the remainder of your provides when passing via Kangerlussuaq. Talking of which……….

2.  Gear Storage & Postage: In the event you plan to return to Kangerlussuaq after the ACT, all the lodging choices in Kangerlussuaq supply free baggage storage to company. 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-Publish workplace in Kangerlussuaq (closed on the weekend).

3. Bugs & Mud: As talked about above, most folk sort out 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), anticipate to come across relentless hordes of mosquitos and plenty of mud. For some people, these Arctic staples symbolize probably the most difficult side of their expertise. A couple of ideas to assist mitigate their affect: 1. Carry a head internet and have it helpful always (bug repellant will also be helpful); 2. Take your breaks on breezy excessive factors; 3. Put on light-weight gaiters, which can assist cease mud from getting within the high of your sneakers; 4. Go for breathable, quick-drying, non-Goretex path trainers over heavy leather-based boots; 4. Air your ft out through the day over lunch or prolonged snack breaks, and; 5. At day’s finish, give your ft an intensive cleansing and allow them to air out earlier than placing in your socks and stepping into your sleeping bag (Notice: In the event you plan on spending plenty 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 dirt are driving you a little bit bit loopy, think about taking a relaxation day on the spacious Canoe Heart 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 totally different, you might even take a canoe for a spin or go for a swim within the bracing waters of Lake Amitsorsuaq.

5. Outdoors Contact: Given the path’s remoteness and lack of cellphone 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 in all 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., Sometimes round a month between costs. Notice, I don’t use the monitoring characteristic and have a tendency to restrict messages principally to the “In Camp” notice 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 outstanding rocky mountain instantly 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 go up Nasaasaaq on the ultimate morning of the ACT, however Mom Nature had different concepts within the type of a heavy storm. In case you have higher luck with the meteorological gods, the views look wonderful. 

7. Preparation: Most hikers take between 8 and 10 days to finish the ACT (not counting the Ice Sheet extension). That’s plenty of meals to hold on a path with no resupply choices. Couple that with an Arctic-appropriate equipment, and it’s not shocking to see some folks starting the ACT with hundreds that might make a sherpa wince. Subsequently, it behooves you to be in respectable backpacking form from the outset and be deliberate together with your gear selections (i.e., Preserve issues easy with out going overboard and give attention to practicality and necessity over superfluous luxuries).

Being in good nick and paring down your equipment isn’t a backpacking panacea. Nonetheless, the potential advantages are multifold. It’s higher on your physique (particularly for these of us who’re chronologically challenged), because it lessens the probability of stress/repetition-related accidents resembling knee, foot, again, and Achilles illnesses. It’s additionally higher on your thoughts, which, with out the distraction of an excessively heavy load or an underdone preparation, is free to focus extra on the sweetness 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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