A small settlement in southern Greenland with an international airport and hiking trails leading to the Narsarsuaq Glacier. Sheep farms dot the green valleys nearby.
Narsarsuaq, a small settlement of 123 people in southern Greenland, sits at the gateway to remarkable natural and historical sites. You'll find yourself walking through valleys where 50,000 trees grow in the world's northernmost arboretum, stepping into 10th-century Norse farmhouses, or watching massive ice chunks break off from the 60-meter walls of Qooroq Glacier. The surrounding area has 26 kilometers of marked hiking trails where Arctic poppies and buttercups bloom in summer, and paths lead you right to the edge of the Greenland ice sheet.
Getting to Narsarsuaq
Icelandair flies to Narsarsuaq Airport from Reykjavik, while Air Greenland operates seasonal flights from Copenhagen. The airport lies 1 mile from the town center, with free shuttle buses running to the harbor and hotels. From May to September, the Arctic Umiaq Line's weekly ferry connects Narsarsuaq with Qaqortoq, Nuuk, and Sisimiut.
Walking Trails Around Town
The Signal Hill trail takes 2 hours, leading through birch groves to a viewpoint 100 meters above Tunuliarfik Fjord. For glacier views, take the blue-marked trail through Hospital Valley and Flower Valley to reach the Narsarsuaq Glacier lookout, a 7-kilometer round trip. The Ridge Hike spans 2.5 hours with clear views of surrounding peaks and fjords.
The Greenlandic Arboretum
Walk through 15 hectares of northern trees in this unique Arctic garden. The paths wind through groves of Siberian larch, lodgepole pine, white spruce, and Sitka spruce, all growing 4-5 meters tall. Each tree species has an identification tag and information panel explaining its origin and characteristics.
Glacier Experiences
Local boats take you within 100 meters of Qooroq Glacier's towering ice walls, where chunks of ice regularly break off into the fjord. You can join multi-day hiking expeditions to camp on the Qaleraliq Glacier or trek across the Greenland ice sheet. In summer, kayak guides lead trips lasting 3-14 days through the ice-filled fjords.
Seasonal Activities and Weather
Summer temperatures range between 40-60°F (4-15°C), making June through September ideal for hiking. Arctic poppies and purple saxifrage bloom in July and August, when Arctic char also fill local rivers. Winter brings shorter days with 4-6 hours of daylight and temperatures around 24°F (-4°C). While this limits hiking options, flight prices drop by up to 30%.
Historical Sites and Museum
The Narsarsuaq Museum contains artifacts from the 1941 American airbase and Norse settlements. Near the airport terminal, you'll see the remaining chimney of the WWII military hospital. Take a 20-minute boat ride to Qassiarsuk to visit Erik the Red's farm site and the ruins of Tjodhildur's Church - the first Christian church in North America - built in 985 AD.
