Hiking in an Arctic paradise filled with tundra landscapes and icebergs.
By Graatje Weber - Editor Beyond Travels
What an amazing time we had in Ilulissat, one of the must-visit places in Greenland. The small Arctic village is home to extraordinary natural beauty, this beauty mostly is found in the form of colossal ice bergs. In this blog we tell you all about The Blue Trail, one of the best things to do in Greenland, specifically in the Ilulissat area. Prefer to watch the informative video about this hiking trail, click here to jump over to our Youtube channel. For the ones who are up for a detailed blog about this spectacular activity, keep on reading!
An Overview
Where can you see the icebergs in Greenland? This question might be the first things that you may ask when you think of traveling to this Arctic destination. The Blue Trail, also known as ‘Blå Rute’ in Danish, is the most popular hiking trail in Ilullisat, offering breathtaking views of the local environment. The trailhead can be found in the town of Ilulissat, we also pinned it down in our Greenland travel map. We recommend to do this hike in summer, the best time to visit Greenland. The absolute highlight of the trail are the gigantic ice bergs when the trail takes you to the edge of the Disko Bay Icefjord. This hike is filled with magnificent landscapes of icebergs, fjords and tundra. The name “Blue Trail” is given because of the blue views of waters and ice bergs in the region. Also, the trail marks are, of course, blue of color.
Ilulissat Icefjord
As mentioned, the highlight of The Blue Trail is the view of the Ilulissat Icefjord, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The trail takes you to the edge of the fjord where you will witness majestic icebergs that have calved from the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier. Luckily, we had clear skies during our hike. The sunshine made the vibrant colors of the ice formations look even better! We found it a bizarre idea that these massive icebergs are floating. They looked like a solid piece of land to us. The Sermeq Kujalleq glacier produces around 10% of all icebergs in Greenland. Some weighting up to 35 billion tonnes! Local tales claim that the iceberg which clashed with the famous Titanic cruise ship originated from this glacier.
Trail Length
The trail covers a distance of approximately 8-9 kilometers in total. This is a moderate length hike which, in our opinion, can be completed quite comfortably. It takes a few hours to get from the start to the end of the trail, depending on how much time you spend on taking pictures. The Blue Trail is a perfect half-day adventure without feeling rushed. Keep in mind that there is very little phone connection in the Greenlandic wilderness. Plan your trip well and be sure to stay on the path.
Difficulty
We consider The Blue Trail to be of moderate difficulty. Hiking enthusiasts of all levels can complete this trail, but it is important to prepare yourself with the right equipment. We will summarize the most valuable things to keep in mind for hiking in the Arctic.
Layered clothing: The Arctic are famous for rapidly changing weather conditions. Even in summer, even a sunny forecast, things can change fast. Dress in layers which fit any weather conditions. Ensure a waterproof outer layer. We did this hike in June and still walked through snow and ice.
Footwear: Put on your waterproof hiking boots for this one. The trail can be muddy in some parts where you walk through the tundra. Melted snow creates a swampy ground. The uneven terrain requires boots with good traction.
Warm accessoires: Don’t forget to bring gloves, a hat, scarf and anything else to protect you from wind chill.
Food: There are zero facilities on this trail. No food stands, no shops, no restaurants. Water can be found in natural sources. We filled our bottle in the streams next to the trail, it’s the freshest water to drink ever!
Bonus: Bear spray: The local wildlife in Ilulissat includes the polar bear, reindeers, arctic foxes and more. It is considered to be very rare to encounter a polar bear in this area, there’s always that small chance… Better safe than sorry!
The Icefjord Centre
When starting the hike at the husky farm in Ilulissat, you will end at the Icefjord Centre. This informative centre takes you on a journey into Greenlandic nature and culture. A cinematic visualization of the life of water turning into snow, falling onto the glacier, turning into ice and eventually ending up as water again was a great way to learn about the power of glaciers. The modern building offers panoramas from its roof, a shop and a cafe to enjoy a warm drink after an adventure in the wild. There is a fee of 150 Danish Krona to enter the exhibition of the Icefjord Centre.
Ready to pack your bags?
Exploring The Blue Trail in Ilulissat, Greenland, is a magical experience. We wish everyone would get to hike this trail in the conditions like we had. An unforgettable adventure in the outdoors, unmatched by any hike we have done before. The Blue Trail views are on another level compared to regular hikes with scenic views in the mountains. The natural wonders of the Arctic will leave you in awe. The manageable length, moderate difficulty and insane views of the icefjord create the perfect cocktail for any hiking-lover to start dreaming. Greenland may be a difficult destination to reach, but this will change in the near future. Greenlandic airports are being upgraded as we speak. International flight connections will be available soon! Traveling to this wonderful piece of planet Earth will become easier for anyone enthusiastic about the rugged Arctic landscapes. You will create memories that will last a lifetime.
Go Beyond Travels
Dreaming about a next adventure? We understand. Escape the busy life and get yourself to the most amazing places! We have bundled all worthy locations, tips and recommendations in our travel maps. Everything we create is based upon our own personal experience. Our digital travel maps are fully integrated in Google Maps for optimal navigation and a comfortable interface for our users. Finding the right spots, touristic or off-the-beaten-path, has never been so easy. You can find all our destinations on our website ranging from Iceland, Faroe Islands and Greenland all the way to Montenegro, Ibiza, Portugal, and much more!
Feel free to contact us for further information! Yes, we do private video calls for more tips, advice and recommendations for your travel plans as well. Hope to speak to you soon!
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