Top
Narsarsuaq to Narsaq - the greenest part of Greenland
-
/ Qassiarsuk from above, Photo by Aningaaq Carlsen - visit GreenlandPhoto: Visit Greenland, Visit Greenland
The father of Leif Eriksson (who discovered North America around 1000 BC), Erik The Red, colonized the area around 985 BC with other Vikings from Iceland. They settled in what today is the Inuit settlement of Qassiarsuk (then 'Bratthalid') which is on the trail. There you can, among other things, see the reproduction of Thjodhild's church and a Viking house in an area with several Viking ruins.
Several sheep farms are scattered around in the area and the climate in the fjords is mild and the much lusher than the rest of Greenland with grass fields, bushes and a few trees here and there. The landscape on the first stretch is almost flat, but when approaching Narsaq the terrain gets more mountainous and the nearby peaks rise up to 1700 meters.
Author’s recommendation
If you want to avoid the river crossing between Narsarsuaq and Qassiarsuk you can book a boat transfer with Blue Ice Explorer.
Rest Stop
Sillisit sheep farm - hostel and hutsInneruulalik sheep farm - hostel & horsebackriding tours
Hotel Narsarsuaq
Leif Eriksson Hostel
Hotel Narsaq
Narsarsuaq Hostel
Pilersuisoq supermarket
Safety information
The route is quite safe so the only real risk factor is the river crossing at the northern end of the fjord between Narsarsuaq and Qassiarsuk (Brattahlid) after heavy rain. You should bring ropes in case of strong water flow.
Alternatively you can book a boat transfer to Qassiarsuk to start the hike from there.
There is a theoretical risk of encountering a polar bear, but it's extremely low. Please read our guide for how to deal with polar bear encounters - just in case!
Tips, hints and links
Along the route there are a number of sheep farms that offer accommodation and food. Check out the 'Points' on the route.Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Note
Public transport
When you get to Narsarsuaq you can book a boat transfer to Qassiarsuk - which is on the route - or other destinations in South Greenland. You can also book helicopter flights to destinations in South Greenland with Air Greenland.
Getting there
In summer (June through September) you can fly directly to Narsarsuaq airport from Reykjavik with Air Iceland Connect and directly from Copenhagen with Air Greenland.Parking
As there are no connecting roads between the towns in South Greenland parking concerns are of no relevance.Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Online guide: The Ultimate Greenland Hiking Guide
Book: Geological Guide - South Greenland. The Narsarsuaq - Narsaq - Qaqortoq region
Author’s map recommendations
Narsarsuaq Map by harveymaps.co.uk
Questions and answers
Do you have questions regarding this content? Ask them here.
Reviews
Photos from others