About Igaliku
Igaliku, also known as Gardar, is a small and charming settlement in South Greenland with a fascinating history. Once the center of Norse power, its ancient ruins still stand among the modern houses, offering a glimpse into Greenland’s Viking history and culture.
Today, only about 30 people live here year-round, but the village comes alive in summer when families return to their cottages. Today Igaliku is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, celebrated for its scenery, hiking, and peaceful atmosphere.
Igaliku Country Hotel
Guests can enjoy delicious meals at the on-site restaurant, which serves local Greenlandic specialties.
With options for guest house rooms, private cabins, and a spacious villa, Igaliku Country Hotel is the perfect base for exploring the region’s natural beauty and Norse history.
Weather in Igaliku
Winters are much colder, with frequent snow and shorter days. When visiting this unique Arctic region, always be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions.
Hiking in Igaliku
The area around Igaliku in Greenland features stunning hiking terrain, from lush hillsides and rocky deserts to dramatic mountains, icebergs, waterfalls, and a swimmable lake. The village is welcoming and historic, with Norse ruins and a church exhibition.
All hikes are day trips from Igaliku, with accommodation at the Country Hotel.
The Lake and Plateau (round trip). Red route
If you’re looking for a beautiful and diverse day hike, the walk to the plateau is ideal. The trail follows a rushing stream, winds through dunes, willow and birch groves, and climbs barren mountain slopes with stunning views of the Qooroq Ice Fjord. On the return, you’ll cross the unique “moon landscape”—a desert of weathered rocks—where you might discover a piece of sparkling “moonstone” (labradorite), the local gemstone.
Duration: About 6 hours, 17 km.
Orientation/difficulty: Easy hiking. Trails and rolling hills.
Accommodation: Igaliku Country Hotel.
Blue Ice Camp – Plateau – Igaliku. Yellow route
Blue Ice Camp sits at the mouth of the Qooroq Icefjord. It features a small, securely anchored aluminum cabin designed to withstand the strong foehn winds from the ice cap. While you’ll need to bring your own tent, the cabin offers shelter during bad weather and is equipped with a stove and cooking utensils. Blue Ice Camp is an ideal spot to enjoy a few days of solitude surrounded by breathtaking scenery.
Accessible by boat from Narsarsuaq (for an additional fee), the trail from the camp climbs to the plateau, where you can join the red route down to the lake and Igaliku.
Duration: About 4-5 hours, 10 km.
Orientation/difficulty: Moderate hiking, paths and steep/rolling hills.
Accommodation: Tent camping at Blue Ice Camp. Igaliku Country Hotel in Igaliku.
Illerfissalik 1,752 m (return). Purple route
Illerfissalik (Burfjeld) Mountain is the region’s most iconic peak. From the moment you see it, the summit invites you to climb. Its striking presence dominates the fjord, drawing your gaze as you sail by. Known as Burfjeld by the Norse, legend says they kept a lookout on its summit, lighting bonfires to signal the arrival of ships and gather the community for trade and news. At 1,752 meters, it’s the highest peak in the area.
No technical climbing skills or equipment are needed, but this hike is not for beginners.
Duration: About 10-12 hours
Orientation/difficulty: Beyond the plateau, the route is unmarked and requires good navigation and visibility. The terrain is moderate to difficult.
Accommodation: Stay at Igaliku Country Hotel or camp on the plateau to shorten the hike by 16 km and 4–5 hours.
The Waterfall hike (round trip). Orange route (under construction)
Under construction
The Waterfall hike features a series of stunning waterfalls cascading toward the Tunulliarfik fjord. The route follows sheep trails through lush vegetation, offering beautiful views of the blue fjord and drifting icebergs all the way back to Igaliku.
Accommodation: Igaliku Country Hotel.
Nuuluk 823 m (return). Blue route (under construction)
Under construction
Nuuluk Mountain is accessible via a moderate hike from Igaliku. At 823 meters, it offers spectacular views of the area and provides a true mountain and hillwalking experience on the way to the summit.
Orientation/difficulty: Moderate hiking. Steep hills towards the top.
Accommodation: Igaliku Country Hotel.