Greenland Thrills & Spills
Greenland
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Located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, Greenland is the world’s largest island and forms part of the North American continent. However, being a part of the Kingdom of Denmark means that Greenland is politically and culturally more European, making it a very unique place. With a population of fewer than 60,000 in an area three times the size of Texas, Greenland truly offers space to explore. With cool summers and freezing winters, Greenland offers winter sports all year round and incredible icebergs, stunning glaciers and clear Arctic air make it the perfect destination for an adventure.
Greenland is characterised by its arc... (Read more...)
tic climate with cool to very cold temperatures all year round. It is home to the world’s second largest ice cap, which has created a huge natural basin in the centre of the island. The arctic conditions have also produced vast glaciers and fjords that have created some stunning scenery. Almost all of the population lives along the ice-free west coast, with a quarter living in the capital, Nuuk. In the Arctic summers, Greenland becomes the land of the midnight sun and throughout the rest of the year, the magical northern lights can be seen sweeping across the sky above the mountains.
Trekking
Formed by some of the oldest, ice-hewn rock in the world, Greenland is home to spectacular scenery. Much of the island is covered in an ice cap roughly fourteen times the size of the UK, which means there is no shortage of space for exploring. Travel by boat or on foot to discover some of the pristine wildernesses the east of the island has to offer. Trek round bays filled with gigantic icebergs, or scramble over the rich summer tundra in the north to view for yourself lands that are truly untouched by man. Greenland is a place like no other on earth, and experiencing it on foot is a spine-tingling thought for any experienced trekker.
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking is one of the most popular outdoor activities in Greenland because of the sheer scale and nature of the country. With so much to explore, what better way to get around than on two wheels. Whether it’s the calm of crystal-clear glacier lakes and dense arctic forests that excite you, or the jagged mountain peaks and dangerous slopes that get your adrenaline flowing, Greenland offers some of the best mountain biking in the world. You can even choose to go on a biking-on-ice tour, riding across the ice itself in freezing temperatures for one of the most extreme biking experiences available.
Kayaking
One of the best ways to experience the true wilderness adventures Greenland offers is by kayak. Navigate your way through the magnificent icebergs of Scoresby Sound and explore some of the biggest fjords and most pristine coastlines in the world. Kayaking in Greenland also offers the opportunity to view some exceptional wildlife, with whales, polar bears and artic foxes being just some of the animals you can see in their natural environments. Kayaking also provides the perfect viewpoint for some of the world’s most extraordinary towns and cities, complete with the picture-postcard coloured houses found on this incredible island.
Mountaineering
Greenland’s mountains lie along the coastal fringes of the island and offer some of the most untouched and, more importantly, unclimbed terrain on earth. Be the first to scale some of the east coast’s most isolated peaks, or simply learn the ropes in one of the most awe-inspiring climbing locations on the planet. Whatever challenge you are looking for, Greenland is home to some of the best climbing available, no matter what level of experience you have. For the truly adventurous, Mount Gunnbjornsfjeld, Greenland’s highest peak at 12,168ft must be the ultimate challenge.
Dog Sledding
For those seeking the classic adventure, dog sledding is the most traditional way of exploring Greenland. Developed by the Inuit population thousands of years ago and still the main method of transport for most people, dog sledding is the perfect way to get around. Greenlandic huskies are widely considered to be some of the purest bred and finest dogs in the world, and what better companions could you wish for when travelling across the fjordlands and catching glimpses of polar bears, seals and all the other incredible wildlife Greenland has to offer? Start from the capital, Nuuk, and head out on your own private wilderness adventure.
Classic Itineraries
Greenland is a huge country and would take several lifetimes to explore fully, so it’s important you make the right choices of what to visit. With a small population of fewer than 60,000, the vast majority of the country remains unspoiled and naturally beautiful, but the east coast offers perhaps the best and most pristine wilderness. Scoresby Sound is the birthplace for Greenland’s enormous icebergs and the capital Nuuk is a great starting point for any adventure but be sure to incorporate some of Greenalnd’s picturesque and unique towns and villages into your trip. Wherever you go in Greenland, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for.
Other Activities
With winter sports available all year round, in Greenland you will never be short of something to do. Heliskiing and hiking are just two of the many activities on offer. For those who don’t mind getting wet, Greenland offers a diving experience like no other with untouched wrecks and colossal icebergs. Stay above the surface and try and land a famous Greenland shark while sea angling. If you fancy warming up after, you could take a plunge in one of the many hot springs on the island. To see more of the island, sail your way around the fjords or get up in a helicopter to view the spectacular scenery from the air.
