Hiking around Ilulissat in Greenland: a complete guide

Hiking around Ilulissat in Greenland: a complete guide

Hiking around Ilulissat is the quickest and easiest way to get close to the huge ice fjord that surrounds the town

Ilulissat in Greenland is absolutely unique in its location at the mouth of the UNESCO World Heritage Ilulissat Icefjord. Nowhere else in the world is it possible to wake up in a hotel, have breakfast and then walk down to such a huge body of ice.

The combination of an ice sheet and a fast-moving glacier calving into a fjord is a phenomenon unique to Greenland and Antarctica. Over 10% of Greenland's icebergs calve annually from the Ilulissat Icefjord, producing more ice than any other glacier outside Antarctica.

The Jakobshavn Glacier flows from the Icefjord and, together with the Icefjord, sends 35 billion tons (46 km3) of icebergs into the surrounding Disko Bay every year.

Beyond the Icefjord, inland to the east, lies the vast Greenland ice sheet (or ice cap). This huge body of ice covers 1,710,000 km2 (approximately 80%) of Greenland's entire land surface.

This extraordinary natural wonder is remarkably accessible via a number of hiking trails. These are all easily accessible on foot and get as close to the Icefjord as possible by walking along the rocky coast.

After my adventures on the Arctic Circle Trail, I spent four days in Ilulissat, visiting the Eqi Glacier, viewing icebergs, and exploring the hiking trails in town.

Hiking around Ilulissat

There are four main hiking trails in Ilulissat, each showing a different side of the Icefjord. They all converge at the Old Heliport, where there is an information board and a map. It is 15-20 minutes walk from the center of Ilulissat.

World Heritage Site Sermermiut

Distance: 1.2 km Duration: 1 hour Start/Finish: Old Heliport

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Sermermiut was an Inuit settlement that dates back to 600 BC. was inhabited. It was abandoned in 1850 when the last remaining resident moved to Ilulissat, then known as Jakobshavn.

Today, the linear World Heritage Trail to Sermermiut offers the easiest, quickest and most popular route to the Icefjord. It is also the only path accessible to wheelchair users.

The boardwalk leads around the ruins of Sermermiut - where you can still see some remains of the settlement - to an excellent viewing point in Nakkaavik.

Nakkaavik translates to “the place to fall,” a place where the elders of the village are said to have thrown themselves off a cliff in times of need to make way for the younger members of the village.

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From there you can climb up various cliffs and steep slopes to enjoy beautiful views of the Icefjord. I sat there for over an hour watching three humpback whales play in the small bay.

Yellow route

Distance: 2.7 kmDuration: 1-2 hoursStart/Finish: Old helipad/power station

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The Yellow Route offers elevated views of the bay and icefjord around Sermermiut, as well as further views of the icebergs in Disko Bay. The path rises quickly from the old helipad, revealing dozens of sliding icebergs in the waters surrounding the city.

The path follows the coastal cliffs turning right. Below is the main waterway that carries the astronomical tonnage of ice out to sea each year. As such, it is always littered with icebergs.

Blue route

Distance: 7kmDuration: 2-3 hoursStart/Finish: Quarry/Old Helipad

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• alt=“Wandern rund um die Wildblumen von Ilulissat“>
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The Blue Route combines the best of all hiking trails. I was advised to walk the trail “in reverse” and start at the quarry, rather than at the intersection of trails at the old helipad. It was good advice because when I walked this path I always walked towards the view, which revealed itself in a spectacular way.

The trail initially makes its way through deep gorges surrounded by steep cliffs on both sides. As it climbs, a series of emerald green mountain lakes are exposed before the path turns right. Here the landscape opens up with wonderful views of the Icefjord.

The trail reaches a small bay where the crowded shore is inundated with icebergs of all shapes and sizes. I stayed here for over an hour listening and watching the Icefjord.

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Every now and then a sharp crack would echo from deep within the ice before the still water began to pulsate with the force of the fracture.

The path then climbs the cliffs and heads along the embankment towards Sermermiut, where it meets the promenade to the old helipad.

Red route

Distance: 1kmDuration: 1 hourStart/Finish: Old Heliport/Blue Route

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The Red Route is little more than an alternative route back from the Blue Route and doesn't offer much in itself. It's best done in combination with the other paths.

One advantage is that the route winds through a large area of ​​sled dog kennels, meaning you'll see plenty of charming hunting dogs along the way.

Adult dogs should never be approached and are chained for good reason - they are working dogs and are not necessarily friendly to strangers. However, the puppies are often unattached and there is little anyone can do to stop them from clinging to strays, lolling tongues, and so on.

Hiking around the map of Ilulissat

The map below shows the hikes around Ilulissat plotted on a downloadable Google map.

This map below, along with a more detailed city map, can be picked up at the World of Greenland office in the center of the city.

alt=“Hiking around Ilulissat Map Greenland”>World of GreenlandThe World of Greenland office in the center of the city

Hiking around Ilulissat: the essentials

What: Hiking around Ilulissat, Greenland.

Where: Ilulissat is slowly starting to meet the demand for accommodation with a growing range of options. My visit in the peak month of July was a last minute decision, so most hotels were fully booked. With few options left, I stayed at Ilulissat Apartment, a basic self-catering apartment 10 minutes' walk from the city center.

Other popular but more expensive hotels include Hotel Hvide Falk, Hotel Arctic and Hotel Icefiord. There are also a growing number of Airbnb options throughout the city. Click here to get a discount on your first stay.

    Booking.com

When: The best time to visit and hike around Ilulissat is from mid-June to mid-September, when the weather is best for whale watching, hiking, kayaking and watching the famous midnight sun. It's also the busiest time of the season with hotels and lodges selling out quickly, so it's best to book in advance.

How: I flew from London to Kangerlussuaq via Copenhagen, Denmark. From there I booked a domestic flight to Ilulissat with Air Greenland, who essentially have a monopoly on domestic flights in Greenland. Book via Skyscanner.

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Guides for Greenland are hard to come by, but if you're planning on trekking beyond Ilulissat, we recommend the Cicerone Guide to Trekking in Greenland

Mission statement: Atlas & Boots

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