ILULISSAT - An Arctic Adventure
- roohmediaries
- Feb 7
- 6 min read
“Life is about the adventures you take and the memories you make" - Anonymous
Ilulissat is a small town situated on the western coast of Greenland. The town is famous for it's Icefjord, where each and every corner tells a story about it's resilience and wilderness - the majestic icebergs, vast glaciersm, and rugged landscapes. With the population of only 4500 people, it's the thrid largest town. The town stretches for 25km and is home to the most active glaciers in the world - Semeq Kujalleq Glacier
I joined a photography group to explore the western Greenland, spending 3 days and 2 nights in Ilulissat. To reach our first destination, Ilulissat, we flew from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq and then on to Ilulissat. We checked into the cozy Hotel Western Inn, ready to settle in. Earlier, one could travel to Greenland either via Iceland or via Greenland. From Nov 2024, there are direct flights from a few cities in the US to Nukk, Greenland.
On the first day, after checking into the hotel, I went exploring the town. I was curious to see how the locals lived. There were kids returning from school, a few churches, some grocery stores, and restaurants. For a summer evening, it was a quiet town. There weren't many tourists around, and there were relatively few cars. As I made my way toward the harbor, I could see many colorful houses and boats. In the early days, when there were no street numbers, people painted their houses according to their function.
Yellow: Hospital/ Nurse Station
Red: Churches, government buildings
Green: telecommunications, auto mechanics, and radio communication
Blue: Fish factories
Black: Police stations
Today the residents can choose any color.
After the long journey, the evening was expected to be a washout due to the heavy cloud cover, so I planned to take it easy and was about to get into bed. But then, my roommate came running in, all excited, saying everyone was heading out because the weather had suddenly shifted! The weather in Greenland is incredibly unpredictable. In a flash, I threw on layers of clothing, grabbed my camera bag, and dashed out the door. We headed to the Yellow Trail. As we made our way out, the gloomy sky finally broke, and a breathtaking golden light poured through the dark clouds, casting vibrant yellow and orange hues across everything around us. The entire landscape came to life - sparkling. Nature had decided to put on a show, and we were there to witness it!
There are three main hikes in Ilulissat - Red, Yellow, and Green
Sermermiut
Distance: 1.3 km one way
Difficulty: Easy, Wheelchair accessible, boardwalk
Start/End: Ilulissat Icefjord
Cost: Free
The walk to Sermermiut is the easiest to explore in Ilulissat. It starts near the Icefjord Center also known as "the Old Heliport". Sermermiut is an old Inuit settlement that was active for over 4000 years. one can book a guided tour to get more info on the this area. This is a UNESCO world heritage site
Red Trail
Distance: 2.7km loop
Difficulty: Medium, Terrain is rocky and muddy.
Start/End: Ilulissat Power Plant/Ilulissat Icefjord Center (Old heliport)
Tip: Look for blueberries, Need hiking shoes, Check weather, trail well marked as "Red"
Cost: Free
The Red Trail is a popular hiking route that takes you along the coastline, offering stunning views of the Ilulissat Icefjord. The trail has good vintage points to explore the ilulissat Icefjord and take some stuuning shots.
Yellow Trail
Distance: 2.7km half loop
Difficulty: Medium, Terrain is rocky and muddy.
Start/End: Ilulissat Power Plant/Ilulissat Icefjord Center (Old heliport)
Tip: Need hiking shoes, Check weather, trail well marked as "Yellow"
Cost: Free
The Yellow Trail is one of my favorite hikes. Each time we trekked the Yellow Trail, the landscape seemed to transform. No two moments were ever the same, and every hike felt like we were discovering something new. one may also get lucky to see some whales.
Blue Trail
Distance – 6.9 km start to end
Type – Loop
Difficulty – Difficult
Start/End – Quarry/Ilulissat Icefjord Center (Old heliport)
The Blue Trail is the longest trail in ilulissat. Do this trail if you are a hiking enthusiast. My fellow travelers did blue trail but felt Glaciers were far away. if you have limited time, opt for Yellow trail.
On the second day, we began our hike on part of the Red Trail and then looped back via Sermermiut. This place is truly a drone paradise. Here is the first timeI learned to let my drone fly freely, no longer afraid of losing it.
Sled dogs
After an early dinner, we headed back to the Yellow Trail for more shots. On our way there, we spotted a local heading to the dog park with a large bag of food, which was another fascinating sight. Most of the dogs were on leashes, except for the six-month-old pups. One of the youngest, barely six months old, was fearlessly battling with the oldest and strongest dog—a true survival of the fittest moment! It was incredible to witness. For the Inuit people, these dog fights are symbolic. They believe that when dogs fight as a family, they grow stronger and will pull the sleds more. effectively, working together in harmony. In this harsh land, even the dogs understand that unity and strength go hand in hand.
Sled dogs are an integral part of Greenlandic culture. Outside every village, one can find a
dog park where sled dogs are kept and cared for by the locals like family.
The community feeds them, and while puppies under six months roam freely,
older dogs are kept tethered, with their training beginning in earnest.
On the third day, we got snowed in—yes, snow in the middle of summer! The landscape turned into winter wonderland. The bright houses with snow in the background. A perfect photo opportunity.
We bundled up, headed out, and started taking photos of the magical, snow-covered city. In the morning, we explored the town, taking in how people live their everyday lives there. We visited the post office, grocery store, and museums. We noticed everyone has a snowmobile and a boat instead of car and bikes. The grocery store had limited items, with supplies arriving only once a month from Denmark. The post office sends mail just once a week. The stamps are unique. it represnts inuit culture and stories.
After our morning walk, Greg decided to hike the Yellow Trail again, and a few of us joined
him while the others opted for the Blue Trail. When we reached our spot on the Yellow Trail,
we noticed icebergs—of every imaginable shape and size—had broken free from the glacier
and drifted across the sea like fragments of a frozen masterpiece. Under the sun’s gaze, they sparkled like diamonds, as if the ocean itself was studded with precious jewels. It was
absolutely perfect. if there is heaven it's here.
The day remained gloomy through out the day. we were crossing our fingers and praying for a break in sky as this was our only shot to experience the legendary Disko Bay. Disko Bay is the only place where one can get close to the large icebergs. As the evening fell, we boarded the boat. The captain skillfully navigated it through the shattered ice. The water was so calm and serene that it reflected the tall icebergs like a flawless glass. The sky turned from orange to soft baby pink and we danced with our cameras.
Overall ilulissat was a life changing experince. Don't miss this place when you plan your next itinerary
Pro Tip
Time to Visit:
if you want to experience Midnight sun, then June to early August is the best time to visit Greenland. If you want to see Northern lights, then early september is a good time to visit.
Restaurants are limited and expensive, so here’s a little advice:
I packed a bunch of quick meals and snacks to keep me fueled throughout the trip.
Trust me, this was a lifesaver, especially in these remote areas where food options are few.
And speaking of being prepared—my fellow travelers? Total coffee addicts. They brought their coffee machines along, and that turned out to be such a genius move, given how
few restaurants are around here.
Best Views from flight
For the best views, make sure to sit on the right-hand side of the flight when flying from Kangerlussuaq to Ilulissat. The scenery is absolutely stunning!
Take a dip in the Arctic sea.
If you have an adventurous soul then this is the place to take a cold plunge.
Look for Blueberries while hiking
In later summer and early autumn months, One can find stretches of wild blueberry all over Greenland.
Book hotel for stay first. You can book the trips later
The number of hotels are limited but one can book trips after reaching Greenland.
Greenlandic air also organizes many trips.
checkout the official website for planning the trip: https://visitigreenland.com/
Other things to do
Hike to the abandoned village and explore the settlements. Recommend to do this with a guide to get more insight on history and culture.
Enjoy a sauna in Arctic
Visit the police station to get your passport stamped if you are coming via cruise.
Ilulissat is also known for it's incredible marine life - while on yellow trail, keep an eye for Minke whales, humpback whales. you can hear them.
For more info on other Greenland and other western Greenland town. Click here:
“So much of who we are, is where we have been.” ― William Langewiesche
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