What is the Arctic Circle Trail?
Greenland evokes visions of calving glaciers, fjords filled with sea ice, and colourful wooden houses dotting a frozen coastline. However, the largest island on earth offers more than just ice and snow. Although a vast ice sheet blankets nearly all of Greenland, its outer edges remain ice-free.
A little north of the arctic circle, there is a hiking route called the Arctic Circle Trail (ACT) which crosses the largest ice-free patch of west Greenland, and offers an accessible way to experience an arctic wilderness environment.
The trail starts in Kangerlussuaq, an old American military base, that until recently housed Greenland’s only international airport. From Kangerlussuaq this trekking route winds 165km (103 miles) through impressive tundra, mountains and valleys to reach Sisimiut on the west coast.
The terrain is fairly gentle, but the trail does have a few steep rocky climbs and it is very remote, meaning hikers must be fully self-sufficient. There are no settlements to re-supply at on route.
When do people hike the Arctic Circle Trail?
Although a few hardy souls do ski the trail in winter or spring, it is typically undertaken as a summer walk between mid-June to mid-September, when the ground is snow free and temperatures more amenable.Hikers should however be prepared for all types of weather as even in summer temperatures can drop below zero and rain and snow are not uncommon. When I hiked the route last summer, we experienced highs of around 15 degrees, with temperatures dropping below 10 degrees at night.
How long does it take to walk the Arctic Circle Trail?
This really depends on your pack weight, fitness, and outlook on trail life. Some hikers spend more time in camp and pack heavier, others want to burn up the trail so pack light and spend less time under canvas. Most visitors will take between 7-10 days.You can hike from Kangerlussuaq to Sisimiut, or do the route in reverse. The trail is loosely waymarked by widely spaced cairns, and experienced walkers will be able to pick out the narrow paths from previous visitors. For those wanting a little more solitude, there is a variant called the Southern route which is more remote and not waymarked.
What are the highlights of the Arctic Circle Trail?
Although the mountains are not large or demanding by alpine standards, the trail offers a huge sense of space, particularly from the many high vantage points that overlook truly vast broad valleys. If you are blessed with clear weather, you will experience the tundra at its most vibrant and full of life.
Along the way we saw Muskox, Reindeer, and had a memorable close encounter with an Arctic Fox which hung around our camp one evening. Although don’t get too close, as some of the Foxes may be rabid and aggressive.
If you have the time, it's worthwhile to extend the trail by a couple of days. We were dropped off at Point 660, a staging area for polar expeditions across the ice sheet. Accompanied by a guide, we explored the ice sheet for a few hours before camping with a view of the glaciers that flow from it. From Point 660, it's a two-day walk back to the trail's starting point in Kangerlussuaq.
What should I pack for the Arctic Circle Trail?
This largely depends on your approach to long-distance hiking and your budget. Generally, you should prepare for a fully self-sufficient trek, expecting weather similar to a good British spring or autumn.
There are huts at the end of each day, but don’t bank on finding a free bed. Last year a group of scouts hiked ahead of us and packed out the huts each night. In any case, it’s a more liberating approach to carry your own shelter and pitch up in a more secluded spot.
I tried to keep my pack weight as low as possible, while also having clothing for lower temperatures, rain and snow. All in my pack came to 17kg, which included extra food for our extended route and in case of injury or poor weather.
Arguably the biggest decision is what to wear on your feet. Even in a clear summer the trail can be very wet underfoot and I experienced wet feet every day last year. At one point I spent an hour wading through water at calf height across a valley floor.
I opted for lightweight, breathable trail shoes paired with liner socks. I anticipated that my feet and shoes would get wet easily but would also dry quickly during the day or overnight. This turned out to be accurate, and I was glad not to be burdened with heavier boots that might never have fully dried.
Another important consideration is the type of shelter. A four-season tent is unnecessary; a sturdy yet lightweight three-season tent or trekking pole shelter is most suitable.
Additionally, it is crucial to bring a two-way satellite communications device, such as a Garmin inReach or Zoleo, due to the lack of mobile signal along the route and limited search and rescue capacity in Greenland. Two-way messaging, as opposed to a one-way emergency beacon, ensures that emergency responses can be tailored to your specific situation.
For a complete example kit list, which can mostly be sourced from Valley and Peak, please get in touch with the Valley and Peak team who can advise further.
Where can I find out more about the Arctic Circle Trail?
For full details on the trail and how to get there, consult the official website of the Arctic Circle Trail. It is important to read up on the potential hazards on the trail such as river crossings, unstable weather and wildlife. In the past twelve months there have been very rare sightings of Polar Bears near the trail, and it is important to check for updates on this before you start walking.
There is also a helpful Cicerone guide book written by Paddy Dillon ‘ Trekking in Greenland: The Arctic Circle Trail ’.
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