Day trips
Boat trip to Qooroq Glacier
Not far from Narsarsuaq is an ice-filled fjord that leads into Qooroq Fjord. About 15 km at the end of the fjord is the Qooroq Glacier. Qooroq is very active, calving 200 tons of ice per day. The glacier is clearly visible, and it’s clear the origin is the vast ice-cap which covers most of Greenland.
The boat engine is turned off so you can enjoy the noisy silence emanating from your glass, as air bubbles escape your 1,000 year old ice cubes while you drink something tasty.
Duration: 1½ -3 hours
Price: DKK 580 / Euro 78
The price includes: Sailing and refreshment with ice - more than 1,000 years old!
Qassiarsuk (Brattahlid)
In 2017, 5 regions of South Greenland were recognised by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites, which together form "Kujataa Greenland: Norse and Inuit agriculture at the edge of the ice sheet".
Qassiarsuk is part 1. Only 15 minutes by boat from Narsarsuaq - across the other side of the fjord is the settlement, which is also a sheep farm. You’ll find agriculture on the same land which Erik the Red farmed.
From Qassiarsuk you can also walk on your own along the tractor track towards the ice-filled Bredefjord. Halfway, you can enjoy the beautiful views over both fjords and a wild landscape spotted with small lakes. It’s a 16 km round trip if you choose to walk all the way down to the sheep farm Tasiusaq.
Duration: From 3 hours to a whole day
Price: DKK 400 / Euro 54
The price includes: Sailing Narsarsuaq - Qassiarsuk return. Folder with map
About Narsarsuaq
Narsarsuaq was a former American military base, so the town itself is not as charming as other Greenlandic villages with colourful houses.
Looking to the horizon, you see how amazingly lush and beautiful the region is.
Narsarsuaq is also the gateway airport to South Greenland, with flights coming from Copenhagen, northern Greenland and Iceland. The airport is known locally to have one of the most beautiful air approaches, with flight routes crossing the ice cap to a view of fjords framed by green countryside and sheep farms.
There are about 150 inhabitants. Almost everyone works at the airport or the hotel.
Dog sledding: No
Midnight sun in the summer: No, but long hours of daylight
Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis): Yes, in a dark sky and with suitable atmospheric conditions
Hiking
Signal Hill (226 m) (round trip). Red route
The hike to the top of Signal Hill is a “must” if you stay in Narsarsuaq. It is a short and easy walk of around 1 hour, where you will experience the ice sheet and breathtaking views of the Narsarsuaq area.
Duration: About 1-1,5 hour, 4km.
Orientation/difficulty: Easy hiking. Gravel road and path.
Accommodation: Narsarsuaq Hostel or Hotel Narsarsuaq.
The Ridge (174 m) (return). Yellow route
If you are looking for a nice, shorter and easier alternative to the full-day tour to Narsarsuaq glacier, the Ridge is for you. If you are unsure if you can handle the climb to the glacier (see its description), we recommend the hike on the ridge, rather than a trip through the Flower Valley. The Ridge offers great views, rich flora and fauna (birds, mountain hare) and is also an excellent trip in bad weather (e.g., strong foehn winds)!
Duration: About 3-4 hours, 8 km.
Orientation/difficulty: Easy hiking. Gravel road and path.
Accommodation: Narsarsuaq Hostel or Hotel Narsarsuaq.
Narsarsuaq Glacier (return). Blue route
The hike to the ice cap (Narsarsuaq Glacier) is a classic walk from Narsarsuaq. On this day trip you can reach the glacier and touch the ice! Furthermore, it is a trip that will offer you several different types of landscapes. You can order transportation for the first 3 km of paved road or rent a bicycle for a day for this stretch.
Duration: About 5-7 hours, 16km.
Orientation/difficulty: Easy to moderate hiking. Path and easy terrain, but steep ascent and descent.
Accommodation: Narsarsuaq Hostel or Hotel Narsarsuaq.
Narsarsuaq – Qooroq view (Mellemlandet). Orange route
The Qooroq viewpoint is merely a spot in “Mellemlandet”. “Mellemlandet” is the mountainous area between the two glaciers, where you will experience a breathtaking view of the Qooroq Glacier and the ice fjord. However, it is probably the most accessible point and can be reached in a long day trip from Narsarsuaq. In addition, there are endless possibilities for multi-day trips throughout Mellemlandet, if you bring a tent. The terrain is not difficult, but includes many small hillocks and low scrub vegetation, and you must be able to orientate with a map and compass.
Duration: About 5 hours, 14 km.
Orientation/difficulty: The first part is marked. When leaving the trail to Narsarsuaq Glacier, there are only sparse cairns and marks. Moderate to rough terrain.
Accommodation: The trip can be done as a long day trip from Narsarsuaq (10-11 hours return). You can also bring a tent and take a multi-day hike in “Mellemlandet