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- Russell Glacier / edge of the Greenland Ice Sheet — A short detour from the Kangerlussuaq end gets you eye-to-eye with the raw edge of the ice sheet: crevassed blue ice, thunderous meltwater streams and a real sense of scale you don’t get on ordinary mountain hikes. It’s one of the few places where you can walk from tundra into true glacial terrain in a day.
- Endless Arctic tundra and ridge panoramas — The trail crosses broad, treeless plateaus and exposed ridges that give uninterrupted 360° views. There’s a humbling, almost cinematic emptiness here: no forests, no roads — just light, wind and distance. That wide, spare landscape is the ACT’s signature.
- Glass-clear glacial lakes and braided rivers — Big still lakes and braided meltwater rivers punctuate the route, often with mirror reflections
- Russell Glacier / edge of the Greenland Ice Sheet — A short detour from the Kangerlussuaq end gets you eye-to-eye with the raw edge of the ice sheet: crevassed blue ice, thunderous meltwater streams and a real sense of scale you don’t get on ordinary mountain hikes. It’s one of the few places where you can walk from tundra into true glacial terrain in a day.
- Endless Arctic tundra and ridge panoramas — The trail crosses broad, treeless plateaus and exposed ridges that give uninterrupted 360° views. There’s a humbling, almost cinematic emptiness here: no forests, no roads — just light, wind and distance. That wide, spare landscape is the ACT’s signature.
- Glass-clear glacial lakes and braided rivers — Big still lakes and braided meltwater rivers punctuate the route, often with mirror reflections and impossibly clear water. They’re perfect for campsite views, wild-swimming (if you’re brave) and watching changing light at dawn and dusk — the colors are otherworldly.
- Wildlife encounters — musk ox, Arctic foxes and birds — The trail is prime habitat for musk oxen, Arctic foxes, ptarmigan and lots of waterfowl. Sightings are common because there’s so little human traffic; you’re likely to have long, unhurried animal encounters that feel genuinely wild. Keep distance and respect their space.
- Coastal fjords and Sisimiut culture — The trail finishes by dropping into the dramatic fjord country around Sisimiut: steep coastal mountains, colourful houses, and active fishing communities. It’s a lovely contrast to the interior — fresh seafood, local life, and the satisfaction of ending a true Arctic traverse.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.