Arctic Circle Trail

The Arctic Circle Trail begins at the edge of the Greenland ice sheet near Kangerlussuaq, a former U.S. military airbase, and ends at the fishing town of Sisimiut on the Davis Strait coast. The route follows a series of glacial valleys and passes over low, rolling hills, with the highest point reaching about 450 meters above sea level. The terrain is predominantly Arctic tundra, with rocky moraines, heathland, and numerous lakes and streams. Hikers must ford several rivers, some of which can be swift and cold, especially after heavy rain or snowmelt. The trail is not marked with signs or cairns; instead, hikers navigate by map, compass, and GPS, relying on the natural features of the landscape. The route is typically hiked from east to west, as the prevailing winds and the gradual descent toward the coast make this direction more favorable.

The Arctic Circle Trail was established in the 1990s as a collaborative effort between the Greenlandic tourism board and local communities, aiming to attract adventurous hikers to the region. The trail follows ancient Inuit travel routes that connected the coast to the interior, where caribou hunting and trading were common. In 2015, the trail was officially recognized as a national hiking route by the Government of Greenland, and it has since been promoted as one of the world's premier wilderness treks. Despite its growing popularity, the trail remains deliberately undeveloped: there are no bridges, no permanent campsites, and only a few emergency huts. The lack of infrastructure is part of its appeal, but it also means that hikers must be fully self-sufficient, carrying all food, fuel, and emergency supplies. The trail has been featured in international hiking magazines and has become a bucket-list destination for experienced trekkers.

The Arctic Circle Trail passes through a pristine Arctic ecosystem that supports a surprising variety of wildlife. Hikers may encounter muskoxen, which are common in the Kangerlussuaq area, as well as Arctic foxes, hares, and a wide range of migratory birds, including ptarmigan and snowy owls. The trail also crosses the habitat of the Greenlandic caribou, which migrate through the region in large herds. The landscape itself is shaped by glacial processes, with eskers, kettle lakes, and moraines providing evidence of the ice sheet's retreat over the past 10,000 years. The trail offers views of the Greenland ice sheet, which covers about 80% of the island and is the second-largest body of ice in the world. The region experiences 24-hour daylight during the summer, allowing hikers to hike at any time of day, but also brings the risk of sudden weather changes, including fog, rain, and even snow in July.

One of the most surprising facts about the Arctic Circle Trail is that it is not actually located within the Arctic Circle for its entire length. The trail's eastern terminus, Kangerlussuaq, lies just south of the Arctic Circle, and the trail crosses the circle only near its midpoint. This means that hikers do not experience true polar day or polar night, but they do enjoy extended twilight during the summer. Another lesser-known feature is the presence of several abandoned U.S. military installations along the route, remnants of the Cold War-era radar stations and research facilities. These structures, now rusting and overgrown, offer a haunting glimpse into the region's strategic importance during the 1950s and 1960s. Additionally, the trail is home to a unique microclimate: the Kangerlussuaq area is one of the driest places in Greenland, receiving less than 150 millimeters of precipitation annually, which creates a semi-arid landscape that contrasts sharply with the wetter coastal regions. Finally, the trail is a popular venue for the annual Arctic Circle Trail Race, a non-competitive event that encourages hikers to complete the route in a single push, often in under 48 hours.

Kangerlussuaq

A town in western Greenland, the eastern terminus of the Arctic Circle Trail, known for its airport and wildlife.

Sisimiut

The second-largest town in Greenland, located on the Davis Strait coast, and the western terminus of the trail.

Muskox

A large, shaggy Arctic mammal commonly seen along the trail.

Esker

A long, winding ridge of sand and gravel deposited by meltwater streams beneath a glacier.