Experienced trekkers/hikers, or those with an analogous skillset (e.g. soldiers). You’ll have to have navigation skills (map-reading, compass-using, or just be able to afford a GPS) and some basic survival ability. No should be Bear Grylls but you have to be able to read the climate, know your physical limits, protreatment water and generally take care of yourself in the wild. The trek takes 7–10 days for people of common fitness (I accomplished in 8 with 1 day of relaxation in between), so you have to be able to hold loads of about 20kg and walk about 20km a day for that size of time.

The Arctic Circle Trail is a one hundred sixty fivekm-lengthy trekking route on the western coast of Greenland. It’s known as one of the best long-distance routes on this planet, since it’s comparatively unknown to vacationers (and thus virtually untouched), and gives views of unending mountains, lakes, wildlife, completely untamed. Also tons of snow and ice for those who choose to visit in spring like me, but it’s not really helpful (read ‘When’).

When

Late summer season (September) is the best. Temperatures can be a comfortable 15–25⁰C, as compared to subzero from mid-fall to mid-spring. Greenland has a mosquito plague yearly that begins when the snow begins to soften in June, and ends abruptly when the temperature begins to drop in September. I recommend waiting till the mosquitoes die out. Also, water levels in late summer will be decrease than that of early summer season (June-July), which is of an awesome assist considering there are just a few river crossings on the route.

Without the assistance of specialised equipment (reminiscent of snowshoes and skis), I would advise to not visit anytime besides in summer season or early fall. Heavy and unpredictable snowfall, especially across the coastal western finish of the trail, will drastically improve the hazard ranges and quickly deteriorate the terrain. Having trekked in early spring myself, I say with confidence that I would not have made it even halfway if not for a particularly reliable GPS (Gaia Maps for iPhone), a couple of snowmobile tracks and the persistence to spend hours wading by way of sometimes chest-deep snow.

The ACT lies slightly north of the Arctic Circle itself, on the western coast of Greenland. Most individuals choose to trek from Kangerlussuaq (eastern end) where the worldwide airport is situated, to Sisimiut (western end), the second-largest city in Greenland behind the capital Nuuk, before flying back to Kangerlussuaq and subsequently out of Greenland. The reverse can be viable, and a few even select to make a spherical trip.

The trail officially starts at Kellyville, a research facility located about 15km from Kangerlussuaq airport. Some additionally select to start from the ice cap east of Kangerlussuaq, which will extend the trek by a day. You can book a tour to the ice cap (Point 660) with World of Greenland Arctic Circle and have them drop you off there to walk back. In any other case, you possibly can start walking proper from the airport or take a cab to Kellyville.

Two things: views and solitude. Armed with an abundance of los angeleskes, mountains, valleys and wildlife (reindeer, hares, musk oxen, and the elusive Arctic fox), this path has everything you want to see within the backcountry. However what really sets it apart is the whole lack of civilization. Past a 15km radius of Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut, not a single human inhabits the area. In late summer, you’ll probably meet no more than a handful of fellow hikers on the way. In any other case, there’s an opportunity you’ll not come across anyone at all. It’s said that only about 300 people attempt the ACT every year. This makes the trek best for these seeking a brief respite from the world to spend time with themselves or their significant others.