Official website of Greenland’s famous long-distance hike from Kangerlussuaq to Sisimiut
Only suitable for hikers with prior experience on remote, multi-day wilderness trails that are narrow, rough, and sometimes hard to follow
Distance: 160km+
Time: 8+ days
Welcome to the Official website of Greenland’s Arctic Circle Trail
The Arctic Circle Trail (ACT) is Greenland’s most famous long-distance hike and one of the oldest in the Arctic. Due to its remoteness and very limited infrastructure, it is essential that you are properly prepared so you have a safe an enjoyable experience.
This hike is very different from what most hikers are used to.
The trail itself is extremely narrow—often no more than 30 cm wide—and frequently disappears into boggy ground. Expect very wet conditions, with 8–10 days of soaked feet being common (yes, even if you have waterproof boots).
Weather is highly unpredictable: it can feel like +30 °C, it can rain for days on end, or it can even snow in the middle of summer.
Huts along the route are tiny, first-come-first-served, and unheated during summer, which means there’s no reliable way to dry your gear.
Even seasoned thru-hikers of the Camino, the Pacific Crest Trail, Laugavegur, or Kungsleden will find the ACT far more difficult, as it is not a well-formed trail.
Make sure you read the official website carefully and fully understand what you’re signing up for before committing to the trek.
Keep in mind that the trail has no set funding and that it is looked after by one person working less than half-time.
There is no “ACT Team”
Here you will find all the information you need to plan your Arctic Circle Trail hike and understand what is required of you on the trail.
Please help us by behaving responsibly.
We have no access to the trail during summer, so we rely on hikers doing the right thing – including carrying all their trash, gas canisters (empty or otherwise), and used toilet paper to the end of the trail.
Don’t do the wrong thing just because nobody is watching you.
Don’t do the wrong thing just because someone else has.
1. Assess
The Arctic Circle Trail readiness quiz is designed to help you evaluate your readiness across the key skills and experience areas needed to complete the trail safely, responsibly, and with confidence.
🙏 Be honest with yourself
This isn’t a test — it’s a planning tool. The ACT is a serious undertaking, and the more realistic you are about your current skills, the better prepared you’ll be. That means more confidence, more safety, and more enjoyment when you hit the trail.
2. Plan
3. Prepare
4. On the trail
5. Post-hike