Alerts and trail status
We update the main information on arcticcircletrail.gl every February based on issues reported by hikers and work completed the previous summer. This Alerts and Trail Status section is updated more regularly with urgent items – as soon as hikers or locals report them to us.
Please help us by reporting any urgent issues or threats you encounter by emailing act at acb.gl
We also recommend that you join the ACT Facebook Group, as hikers regularly report on the current trail conditions in that forum.
The following are the currently active alerts for the Arctic Circle Trail.
ACT Winter Expedition info webinar
Effective: 15 October 2024
Until: TBD
Details: The first webinar dedicated to those considering an ACT Winter Expedition
The Trails Manager and Ernst Rietzschel (who has done the trail twice in winter) present:
- summary of the trail
- requirements before undertaking the trail in winter
- expectations of trail users
- detailed information about doing the ACT during winter based on 2 years of experience. requirements and expectation.
- Q&A session
Make sure you check out the new webpage: https://arcticcircletrail.gl/homepage/winter-act/
PLB Hire
Effective: 1 October 2024
Until: TBD
Details:
We no longer hire PLBs for the Arctic Circle Trail. The batteries on our current ones have now expired and we have no capacity to purchase or manage more.
You must purchase your own emergency device to do the trail but please make sure it has two-way communication capabilities. This is to help our emergency services as Greenland has limited capacity for Search & Rescue missions. Garmin Inreach is one of the most popular devices that works well in Greenland.
Please look after your own safety and make sure you carry one of these devices on your trek.
Crossing to Sarfannguit – Southern Route
Effective: 28 August 2024
Until: TBD
Details:
For those wishing to cross to Sarfannguit – hoist the flag opposite the settlement and, if someone is available, they will come and get you. You should expect to pay a small fee for this service, so make sure you have some small Danish Kroner with you.
Note: it is likely the boat owner will NOT be licensed to carry passengers. It is up to you if you want to risk the crossing and hail them.
There is also no guarantee there will be someone available.
Current Status: ACT Southern Route
Effective: 25 July 2024
Until: TBD
Details: Last week, 8 of us hiked the Southern ACT to improve the markings along the route. While this work has added a lot more waypoints to the route (soon to be published on the website), the route is still not well marked and you MUST know how to navigate well in wilderness before attempting it.
A reminder – the Southern Route is much more physically demanding than the original route, there is no trail tread to follow, and even with these additional markings, you often cannot see the next marker from the one you are at. You must navigate to the next waypoint.
With the help of experts from the US National Parks service (who are out here helping us this season through the https://www.facebook.com/DOI.ITAP program) – we are now drawing up a full program of works that needs to be executed in order to make the Southern Route an equivalent alternative to the original trail. This will include:
- the construction of many, many, many more cairns
- essential works to make several very tricky areas much safer
Unfortunately, this work is likely to take at least a couple of more years.
While we understand the ATV track is a little frustrating between Eqalugaarniarfik and Sisimiut, we stress that if you do not have extensive backcountry navigation experience then you really must follow the original ACT route.
Please don’t place yourself at risk and add undue stress on our limited search and rescue capability.
A million, billion thanks to the 5 volunteers who helped us in this endeavour. Your enthusiasm and perseverance in challenging circumstances was exceptional 
Current Status Itinneq River Bridge
Effective: 20 June 2024
Until: 31 December 2024
Details:
We have attempted to stabilise the existing Itinneq River bridge in case of another wet summer. Although it is far from perfect, it is the best we can do at the minute. We plan to build a completely new bridge closer to the trail later this year.
Download a GPX track for the “best” route to the Itinneq River bridge (GPS: 66.9880817, -52.3358973).
14 JUNE – POLAR BEAR UPDATE
Effective: 14 June 2024
Until:
Details:
We have been in touch with the police (who have authority in circumstances like this) and they will not be furthering their search for the potential polar bear that was spotted from the Arctic Circle Trail yesterday.
Their best chance of locating it was when they rescued the hikers yesterday. They arrived within the hour and did several flyovers of the area. However, no bear was found and there is no photograph from the sighting. There have been no other reports of a polar bear today (e.g. from hunters) so there is not much more that police can do.
Again, it is very rare for a polar bear to be seen in the Arctic Circle Region – no locals carry rifles when they are out in the backcountry either, unless they are specifically going hunting.
Given the response from the police, we are not going to close the trail.
However, as always, undertaking the Arctic Circle Trail (and any of our hiking trails) is done at your own risk. It is up to you to decide what impact (if any) this will have on your trip.
At the very least we recommend that you:
- Are vigilant while hiking
- Carry an emergency beacon (always recommended)
- Read Visit Greenland’s advice on what to do re: polar bears
Please keep in mind that given the rarity of a polar bear sighting, you won’t be able to turn up in Kangerlussuaq (or Sisimiut) and suddenly expect to be able to buy/hire rifles/flares etc.
GPX Route to Itinneq River Bridge
Effective: 10 June 2024
Until: 31 December 2024
Details:
Download a GPX track for the “best” route to the Itinneq River bridge (GPS: 66.9880817, -52.3358973). This was developed from the experience of 4 different hikers in 2023.
While it will still be tough going, it is the best advice we can provide at this stage. Let’s hope this year will be less wet than the last 2 years!
2024 ACT Webinar
Effective: 16 April 2024
Until: 31 December 2024
Details:
Watch the lastest informational webinar on the ACT – held 16 April 2024. It includes an overview of the trail and its management, an update of the work completed since 2023 and scheduled for 2024, and an extensive Q&A session with the trails manager.
ATV track construction and alternate ending into Sisimiut
Effective: 17 April 2024
Until: N/A
Details:
The final stage of the ATV track between Sisimiut and Kangerluarsuk Tulleq will be constructed during summer 2024. Hikers will still walk the route and the workers are very aware that there will be significant foot traffic during July-August. It is the same situation as last year. This affects both the Original and Southern routes.
While it is impossible to avoid the ATV track entirely, there is an alternate route for the last stage into Sisimiut – the Oqummiannguaq Trail (blue dashes in the map opposite). It should be marked with poles this year, and a description and the GPX route can be found at hiking.gl
Better route descending from Kangerlussuaq to Katiffik
Effective: 20 June 2023
Until: TBD
Details:
If you are approaching Katiffik hut from Kangerlussuaq, most people follow the grey dashed route in the image opposite. Certainly the cairn that leads you off that way is the most visible.
However, a better route is the solid red line. You still get amazing views and there is a trail to follow, but it is nowhere near as steep as the other. I have not yet hiked the dot-dash line, but suspect the views will not be as good.
I will be making it clearer that hikers should go this direction when I hike the trail at the end of August – but until then, something to keep in mind.
I have updated the GPX track with the suggested route.
Aggressive foxes
Effective: 9 Mar 2023
Until: TBD
Details:
There have been a few reports of aggressive foxes – particularly in the Eqalugaarniarfik hut area. These animals likely have rabies. It is important for hikers to protect themselves at all costs if they encounter one by using hiking poles (or other implements) to keep the animal at a distance.
If you do encounter an aggressive fox- please let us know ASAP when you are back in contact. Tell us where you encountered it so that we can then dispatch local hunters to shoot the affected animal.
Although encounters are not very common, hikers may want to consider getting rabies shots before their ACT hike.