About this hike (Yellow route)
SELFGUIDED TOUR
DISTANCE: About 10 km. 4–5 hours. Max elevation 266 m.
MAP: Arctic Sun. Narsarsuaq (Qassiarsuk – Igaliku) 1:50,000
ORIENTATION/DIFFICULTY: Marked. Moderate hiking. Paths and steep/rolling hills.
ACCOMMODATION: Tent camping at Blue Ice Camp. Igaliku Country Hotel in Igaliku.
ROUTE DESCRIPTION
Blue Ice Camp is a base camp located on a tiny, lush and flat area at the mouth of the Qooroq Ice Fjord. It consists of a small aluminium cabin, which is firmly anchored to keep it from blowing away in the strong foehn winds that occasionally sweep down from the ice cap.
You should bring your own tent, but can seek shelter in the cabin in the event of bad weather. There is a stove and cooking utensils inside. Blue Ice Camp is a perfect place to spend a few days all alone in magnificent scenery.
The trail to Igaliku climbs to the plateau, where you can follow the red route down to the lake and Igaliku:
- Follow the red spots right behind the camp and along the coastline, heading southwest, maintaining the same elevation.
- After about 1 km the path zigzags steeply uphill. The ascent to the plateau is approx 250 vertical metres, but it is well marked.
- The plateau offers a fabulous view of the fjord and the crescent-shaped submarine moraine with its many stranded icebergs. At several places on the plateau there are good opportunities to find the shining “moonstones” (labradorite) and rock crystals.
- From the signpost at the vantage point you can either take the route through the “moon landscape” down to the lake, or the route (the shortest) through the lush valley.
- From the lake you follow the gravel road to Igaliku.
There is also the option to get there by boat from Narsarsuaq for DKK 400 per person (one way).