Hiking Adventures in Surreal Landscapes
Hiking the Fjords of Greenland and Iceland
Overview
Experience some of the wildest landscapes on the planet in the remote corners of Northwestern Iceland and Eastern Greenland. Adventurous full-day hikes bring us to jaw-dropping views of sheer granite mountains and dramatic fjords carved by ancient glaciers. In Iceland, we discover the gloriously untouched Westfjords region, with its massive seabird colonies, stepped waterfalls, and dramatic mountains sheltering tiny fishing harbors and villages where Icelandic culture thrives. And on Greenland's extremely isolated eastern coast, we'll meet the native Greenlandic people, hike rugged and spectacular trails used for generations by Inuit hunters, and cruise through channels filled with icebergs. In this realm of elemental beauty and wilderness, we'll savor the rarity of pure silence and the spell-binding light of the Arctic summer.
Arrive: Reykjavík, Iceland
Depart: Reykjavík, Iceland
Highlights
- Hike dramatic high trails above Iceland's spectacular fjords
- Cruise by private boat among Greenland's sculpted icebergs
- Soak up the midnight sun, visit remote Inuit villages
- See the famous puffin colonies of the Látrabjarg Cliffs
Itinerary
Arrive in Reykjavík and fly to Kulusuk in eastern Greenland. A spectacular helicopter flight brings us to the village of Tasiilaq, set on stunning King Oscar Fjord. With charming Tasiilaq as our base, our hikes bring us to steep granite peaks rising above a flotilla of sculpted icebergs, to the ice of calving glaciers, and on ancient hunting trails used by Inuit hunters. One of our adventures is a fantastic cruise into mighty Sermilik Fjord, whose vast ice wall is part of the Greenland ice sheet, a relic of the last Ice Age, up to two miles thick in places.
A helicopter ride brings us back to Kulusuk, where we fly to Reykjavík and head north to Ísafjörður, a trading post since the 16th century. In the southern reaches of the Westfjords, we hike up Mýrafell for views of the expanse of Dýrafjörður, along the spectacular Látrabjarg Cliffs, famed for millions of nesting seabirds, including puffins, and on the trails of
Álftafjörður, a magnificent fjord with a dramatic gorge and waterfall. A ferry ride brings us across magnificent Breidafjörður Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and we depart via Reykjavík on Day 11.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 4+, Moderate to Strenuous, according to our trip grading system. Our hikes feature up to 2,600 feet of elevation gain or loss, and are up to 13 miles in length—be ready for some wonderfully full hiking days!
Review Trip Level Details
The hiking terrain can be rough and rocky, often with no distinct trail, and we will have some short hikes on glaciers, with rough snow and ice underfoot. No technical gear (crampons, ice axes) is necessary, but on all hikes, hiking poles will be very useful (and they are provided). This is wild country, and all participants should be ready for hiking in a beautiful, but unmanicured landscape. It's a big part of the appeal! Note: While we are hiking in Greenland, our guide will be carrying a rifle. Polar bears are rarely seen around the towns, but they can be sighted anywhere, and for the safety of the group, our guide will have a rifle with him on all walks. This is the same policy we follow in Africa on our walking safaris.
The weather in this part of the world is notoriously variable, and participants must come prepared for the strong winds and sudden weather changes of Iceland and Greenland. Temperatures should be in the mid 50s, perfect for hiking. The weather can provide spectacular clear days but can also be very wet and changeable, and we want you to be well prepared for all you may encounter. Weather in Iceland and Greenland is always unpredictable, so you must come prepared for at least some rain and bring appropriate rain gear. It is unlikely that it will be truly hot. Trip members need to remain flexible in consideration of inclement weather that may require changes, such as substituting different hiking routes or changing the planned itinerary. Water activities such as our boating excursion are also dependent on sea forecasts.
The weather will have the final say in our daily itinerary. We will do our best to complete all activities as outlined in this itinerary, but the safety of the group is of primary importance, and will be the guiding factor in our decisions.
Client Testimonials
"This trip greatly exceeded my expectations. I can always count on WT to include extraordinary experiences and ‘little touches’ of fun for its clients."
Jocelyn S.
Arvada, CO
"We have been traveling with Wilderness for years. A fabulous company! Your leaders make all the difference and Orri was no exception!"
Robyn W.
Bethesda, MD
"A great trip, made even better by the wonderful leaders, a terrific group, fine weather, amazingly beautiful country, challenging but achievable hiking, and some lucky and some predictable wildlife sightings."
Trina H.
Tea Gardens, Australia
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.