A Day Trip to Kangerlussuaq: Gateway to the Ice Cap

If Greenland feels like the edge of the world, Kangerlussuaq is the place where you can touch that edge. Here, dry Arctic air sharpens the views, musk oxen graze the rolling tundra, and a gravel road threads its way from the airstrip to the Greenland Ice Sheet—one of the few places on Earth where you can step onto continental ice in a single day.

Where you are

Kangerlussuaq sits at the head of a long fjord in western Greenland, about 50 km from the coast. Built around a former U.S. air base, it boasts one of Greenland’s longest runways and some of its clearest skies. The landscape is a broad, stony valley with lakes and low hills, a polar desert that receives little precipitation and offers excellent visibility for wildlife and the northern lights. Unusually for Greenland, there is an extensive road network here—far enough to reach both the Russell Glacier and the edge of the ice cap at a spot known as Point 660.

Getting there

As of 2025, most international arrivals to Greenland funnel via Nuuk or Ilulissat, with onward domestic flights to Kangerlussuaq on Air Greenland; seasonal charters also operate for cruise transfers and logistics. Schedules evolve quickly with new airports online, so check current timetables before you go. The compact terminal places car rentals and tour desks steps from baggage claim, making it easy to land and head straight for the ice.

A one-day itinerary

Morning: Russell Glacier up close

Kick off with a 4x4 excursion to the Russell Glacier, about 25 km from town along a rough but scenic road. The drive crosses moraines and permafrost-polished hills before ending at a safe viewpoint opposite a serrated ice wall that can tower 30 to 60 meters high. You’ll hear the glacier before you see it: a low, living thunder as seracs crack and tumble. Keep well back from the face—ice can calve without warning—and follow your guide’s instructions around meltwater streams and over slick rock. Along the way, watch for musk oxen, caribou, and arctic hares threading the tundra.

Lunch on Lake Ferguson

Return toward town and detour to Lake Ferguson (Tasersuaq) for a hearty midday break. The shorefront Roklubben restaurant is a local favorite for Greenlandic specialties—think musk ox or arctic char—paired with big-window views of the water and low hills. In summer the lake sparkles under near-endless daylight; in winter it freezes into a smooth white plain used by skiers and, when conditions allow, dog sleds.

Afternoon: Step onto the Ice Sheet at Point 660

From town, continue by guided vehicle along the Road to the Ice Cap, winding roughly 35–40 km to Point 660. Here the Greenland Ice Sheet lifts from the tundra in waves of blue-white. Guides outfit visitors with traction aids for a short, carefully chosen walk onto the ancient ice. You’ll pass wind-carved sastrugi, peer into sapphire melt pools, and feel the subtle crunch of firn underfoot—the compressed snow on its long journey toward glacial ice. Weather changes quickly; clear sun can flip to katabatic winds in minutes, so bring layers and eye protection.

Evening: Golden light or northern lights

Back in Kangerlussuaq, the day ends two ways depending on season. In summer, the low Arctic sun paints the hillsides gold well past midnight, perfect for a short hike to a viewpoint above town. In winter, some of Greenland’s most reliable clear skies make this one of the best places to see the aurora. Walk a little beyond the runway lights or join a guided aurora watch for better darkness; dress for deep cold and keep an eye out for wildlife.

Wildlife and safety

Musk oxen are common on the plains around Kangerlussuaq. Admire them from at least 75–100 meters and give males and calves extra room. Never approach animals for photos and avoid standing between a herd and open terrain. On ice and near glaciers, go with a licensed guide; crevasses, moulins, and unstable overhangs can be invisible until you’re too close. Stay on established tracks to protect fragile tundra and to avoid soft ground in the thaw season.

Practical tips

Dress in breathable layers with windproof outerwear, sturdy hiking boots, hat, gloves, and sunglasses. Even in summer, it can be cold on the ice; in July and August, carry insect repellent or a head net for mosquitoes in low, sheltered areas. Cards are widely accepted, though it’s wise to have a little cash. Mobile coverage is good in town and spotty on the road; download maps offline. Book ice-cap and glacier tours ahead, especially in peak season, and confirm pickup times tied to flight arrivals.

When to go

June to September brings milder temperatures, open roads, and the midnight sun; it’s the best window for hiking, boating, and standing on the ice cap. September to March offers long nights for aurora viewing; temperatures drop sharply, and snow cover varies year to year. Spring can be crisp and bright, with fewer bugs and good visibility.

Make it more than a day

Kangerlussuaq anchors the eastern end of the Arctic Circle Trail, a storied 160–200 km backcountry trek to Sisimiut that takes a week or more. Short on time? Fly to Sisimiut for coastal culture and dog sledding in winter, or to Ilulissat for the UNESCO-listed Icefjord and towering icebergs. Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, layers museums and modern Greenlandic cuisine onto a dramatic fjord backdrop.

Travel light on the land

This is a sensitive Arctic environment. Pack out all trash, stick to established roads and paths, and never drive off-track on the tundra. Drones are restricted near the airport; ask before flying anywhere else. Most of all, take your time and look closely—Kangerlussuaq rewards the unhurried traveler with details in the rock, the ice, and the endless northern sky.