A runway divides Kangerlussuaq into two sides—a feature of the town that plays a role when planning your routes. The town is also the starting point of the Arctic Circle Trail; nearby are Lake Ferguson, Russell Glacier and Point 660, a destination for excursions to the Greenland Ice Sheet. Visitors choosing Kangerlussuaq as a travel destination can plan a multi-day hike, seasonal activities or a look at the town’s history.
Museum and local history
The Kangerlussuaq Museum explores the town’s history as an American base and its subsequent development into an important transport hub for Greenland. It also covers the history of aviation in Greenland before, during and after the Second World War, as well as the development of the area from the first Inuit summer camps to the present day. Its themes therefore range from early summer camps to more recent transport history. If you plan to visit the museum, check in advance for current visiting arrangements.
Arctic Circle Trail: a multi-day hike
Kangerlussuaq is the starting point of the 160 km Arctic Circle Trail, a backcountry hiking route between Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut. The route usually takes eight to ten days. It crosses natural terrain and is suitable only for experienced long-distance hikers with strong navigation skills. The duration alone does not convey the demands: long-distance hiking experience and navigation skills are also essential to planning.
Eight basic huts are located at various points along the trail. They typically offer sleeping space for four to six people; some have toilets. This information helps convey the multi-day nature of the route. You should also check current trail conditions before setting out.
Seasonal activities and nearby destinations
Dog sledding is possible in Kangerlussuaq in winter and spring; February, March and April are considered the best months for it. Weather and snow conditions vary. Seasonal activities at Lake Ferguson differ: the lake is a popular place for kayaking in summer and cross-country skiing in winter. It is about five kilometres farther along the road from the other side of town.
Nearby Russell Glacier offers a different landscape, with ice flowing down from a high plateau. You can often watch ice break off and plunge into the river below, but this spectacle is not guaranteed. Point 660, in turn, is a destination for excursions to the Greenland Ice Sheet. The destinations therefore differ not only by season, but also in whether you want to focus on a glacier and its river or the ice sheet.
Getting around town and finding accommodation
Kangerlussuaq stretches out on both sides of the runway. Walking from one side of town to the other can therefore take a long time. In Kangerlussuaq, the bus passes each stop approximately every 30 minutes. One stop is just outside the airport, opposite the souvenir shops. This is an approximate frequency; check current bus information locally.
When looking for accommodation, it is worth comparing the location of a specific property with the routes you plan to take. The layout of the town may matter for getting around Kangerlussuaq as well as for reaching the airport bus stop. If the Arctic Circle Trail is your main focus, your plans will differ considerably from a stay centred on seasonal activities and nearby destinations.
Discover more destinations: Maniitsoq, Uummannaq, Sisimiut, Nuuk, Aasiaat.
For the broader travel overview: Qeqqata Municipality.
