Sisimiut: Hiking, Water and Culture

The harbour is the starting point for Sisimiut, a city whose main visitor areas lie along a fairly steeply rising road. Mountains, fjord and hiking trails shape the choice of things to do: from routes through town to challenging hikes and excursions on the water. When choosing a holiday apartment, it may therefore help to first consider whether you want to focus your trip on hiking, culture or seasonal activities.

Getting Around and Trails in Sisimiut

Ways to get around town include walking, bicycle rental, taxis and a bus. The bus serves most parts of Sisimiut and passes every stop every 20 minutes. Check the current timetable before setting off. Guided city walks and e-bike tours offer other ways to get to know Sisimiut and its surroundings; check in advance for current availability.

The local hiking trails offer a range of routes. The challenging Assaqutaq Trail is a 9.8-kilometre one-way hike and is offered in July, August and September. The challenging Nasaasaaq Trails, on the other hand, are out-and-back routes of about six kilometres, also offered during these months. The difference is in the route format: Assaqutaq is a challenging one-way hike, while the Nasaasaaq Trails are challenging out-and-back routes. Check local conditions before setting out.

Between Mountain, Fjord and Settlement

The Kangerluarsunnguaq Trail passes through Akia, a residential area of Sisimiut north of the bridge, and through Dog Town. Another route description covers the trail between Sisimiut and Assaqutaq: it runs between the Nasaasaaq mountain range and the fjord, following the foot of the mountains to the settlement. From the upper areas of Nasaasaaq Mountain, the 360-degree panoramic view takes in Sisimiut, Palasip Qaqqaa and the ocean to the west, as well as lakes, valleys and mountains in the hinterland to the north and east.

The wider travel destination of Qeqqata Kommunia is also home to the marked Arctic Circle Trail. It is 160 kilometres long and runs between Sisimiut and the end of the 170-kilometre-long Kangerlussuaq Fjord. Hikers usually need eight to nine days to complete the route. This makes it a much longer, multi-day hiking experience than the local trails. Here, too, check current trail conditions before your trip.

Water and Seasonal Activities

In summer, boat trips from Sisimiut visit UNESCO sites and abandoned settlements, including Assaqutaq. Specially designed whale-watching tours are also offered from Sisimiut; availability may vary by season. Kayaking is also possible in Sisimiut in winter. Stand-up paddling and paddling a traditional Greenlandic kayak are also local activities. Check in advance for the current availability of these activities.

North of Sisimiut, a remote cabin on the UFO Trail is a destination for dog-sledding trips in winter. Snowshoes are often not needed there, although snow and trail conditions may vary. The winter excursion is therefore a different way to experience the area from the hiking trails, which are offered in summer.

Culture in Sisimiut

Taseralik Cultural House offers art exhibitions, films and various events. The music event Arctic Sounds, held in Sisimiut in April, celebrates music from Greenland and other countries. For a different perspective on the town, the Sisimiut Museum is a cultural history museum with a focus on trade, shipping and industry. It also features a major archaeological exhibition with finds from settlements of the Saqqaq culture.

The museum includes a reconstructed turf house showing how people in Sisimiut lived about 100 years ago. The museum is housed in former colonial buildings, several of which date from the 18th century. Bethelkirken, Greenland’s oldest church, known as the Blue Church, is also located in the museum. Check with the museum for current visiting options.

What You Want Your Trip to Focus On

If hiking is your priority, information about route length, whether a trail is one-way or out-and-back, and the months it is offered can help with planning. For cultural discoveries, the museum, Taseralik and Arctic Sounds offer different points of interest; water activities and winter excursions bring their own seasonal highlights. These interests can help you find the right holiday apartment in Sisimiut for your planned stay.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Kangerlussuaq, Maniitsoq, Aasiaat, Uummannaq.

Return to the overview of the wider destination: Qeqqata Kommunia.