The settlement at the ice sheet
Kangerlussuaq is Greenland’s largest settlement, with around 400 inhabitants. It is best known for its location at the very end of the Kangerlussuaq Fjord—an 180-kilometre-long, narrow fjord. From the centre of Kangerlussuaq, it is only about 50 kilometres to the vast, almost endless ice sheet that covers 80% of the entire island. This is why you shouldn’t miss a visit to Kangerlussuaq when travelling to Greenland — it is the gateway to the ice sheet!
The landscape around Kangerlussuaq was largely shaped by the last Ice Age around 18,000 years ago. As the ice retreated, it rounded the mountains and left behind a terrain that is now ideal for hiking and experiencing nature with its rich wildlife. Meltwater from the ice sheet cuts through the porous moraine landscape and flows out into Kangerlussuaq Fjord.
Its location at the end of the fjord and close to the ice sheet creates uniquely stable weather conditions — with nearly 300 cloudless nights a year. Kangerlussuaq is therefore a reliable choice to visit, whether you come in summer to experience the midnight sun or in winter to see the mythical northern lights dance across the sky.
