Kapisillit Glacier Valley Mining Road
Deep glacier valley expedition route
This forgotten mining access road punches 35 kilometers deep into the Kapisillit glacier valley east of Nuuk, ending at abandoned molybdenum workings from the 1970s. The rough track follows Kapisillit River through increasingly dramatic terrain, passing Inuit hunting camps and ending beneath 2000-meter glacial walls. The final 10 kilometers deteriorate significantly as you approach the old mining infrastructure, with river crossings and unstable talus slopes requiring careful navigation.
Difficult rating due to technical river crossings, loose rock sections, and complete remoteness — this is serious expedition territory. Full expedition gear mandatory including recovery equipment, satellite communication, and multiple days of supplies. Summer only when rivers are crossable, typically July-August window. No cell service whatsoever and nearest help is back in Nuuk. The payoff is accessing one of Greenland’s most spectacular glacier valleys with world-class camping beneath the ice. Bring your A-game and backup plans.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 22 mi / 35 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3200 ft |
| Best season | July-August |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD expedition vehicle |
| Nearest town | Nuuk, Greenland |
| Land manager | Government of Greenland |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
What kind of vehicle do you actually need for this trail?
A modified 4WD expedition vehicle is the minimum — think lift, aggressive all-terrain or mud tires, high clearance, and a snorkel or at least solid water crossing prep. Stock anything will get swallowed by the terrain and crossings. This is not a trail to push your luck with a lightly modded rig.
When is the trail passable and how short is the window?
July and August are the only realistic months — snow and ice control the valley the rest of the year. Even in peak summer, conditions can change fast at elevation, so plan for the possibility of cold, wet weather regardless of your start date.
Do you need permits or special authorization to drive into this area?
The trail falls under Government of Greenland jurisdiction — check directly with Greenlandic authorities before going, as access to remote fjord and mining areas can require prior notification or permits. Rules here are not the same as driving BLM land in the American West.
What's the hardest section and what makes it serious?
The water crossings through the glacial meltwater channels are the crux — glacial runoff is unpredictable, bone cold, and can rise fast on warm afternoons. Combined with loose rock surfaces and 2,800 feet of gain into a remote valley with zero cell service, a mechanical failure or stuck vehicle is a genuine multi-day problem.
How do you actually get your vehicle to the trailhead from Nuuk?
Nuuk has no road connection to the rest of Greenland — you need to ferry or barge your vehicle into the fjord system to reach the Kapisillit area. Logistics here are expedition-level; sort your transport well in advance because there is no driving in from the outside world.
Trail track
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