Prinsen af Wales Bjerge Mining Road
Rare earth mining road to Arctic fjord overlooks
The Prinsen af Wales Bjerge Mining Road follows a forgotten supply route built in the 1960s to access rare earth mineral deposits in Greenland’s Prince of Wales Mountains near Ivittuut. This 32-kilometer route begins at the abandoned Ivittuut cryolite mine and winds through glacial valleys toward the mountains’ eastern slopes, passing rusted mining equipment and concrete foundations from Denmark’s last major Arctic mining operation. The road climbs steadily through alpine tundra before ending at a spectacular overlook above Arsuk Fjord, where massive icebergs calve from the inland ice sheet.
Moderate to difficult rating due to steep grades, loose rock sections, and two unbridged stream crossings that require careful line selection. High-clearance 4WD is essential, along with traction aids for muddy sections during the brief summer thaw. Accessible from late June through September, though weather windows can close suddenly. No permits needed but nearest fuel is in Arsuk, 40 kilometers south. The route offers excellent dispersed camping with panoramic views of the Greenland ice sheet and provides rare access to Greenland’s industrial mining heritage in a stunning Arctic mountain setting.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 19.9 mi / 32 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2460 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Arsuk, South 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's the minimum rig to drive the Prinsen af Wales Bjerge Mining Road without getting stranded?
High-clearance 4WD is the floor, not a suggestion. The road was built for industrial equipment, not maintained for touring, so expect deep ruts, loose rock, and soft arctic soil that will swallow anything less. A lifted truck or expedition-built 4x4 with aggressive all-terrains and a recovery kit is what belongs here.
When does the trail actually open and what kills access early or late in the season?
June through September is the realistic window. Before June, snow and frozen ground thaw unpredictably and can trap vehicles in saturated tundra; after September, early snowfall and freezing temps make the route genuinely dangerous at this latitude. Mid-July to mid-August is the safest slot.
Do you need permits or special authorization to access this route in Greenland?
The Government of Greenland manages the area and access to former mining zones may require notification or authorization — contact Naalakkersuisut (Government of Greenland) and confirm current requirements before you fly equipment in. Regulations around old extraction sites can carry environmental protections with real teeth.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what makes it serious?
The upper approach toward the mining sites gains 2,100 feet over rough, unmaintained track where the original road surface has eroded badly into loose shale and exposed bedrock. Water crossings on this section have no bridges and vary with snowmelt — mid-summer crossings can be thigh-deep on foot, which means axle-deep or worse in a vehicle. There's no bailout and no one coming to help.
How do you get a vehicle to the trailhead in the first place — is there road access from Arsuk?
There is no road connection between Arsuk and the rest of Greenland's road network because Greenland has no national road system. Getting a vehicle to this trailhead means chartering a cargo vessel or working with local logistics operators out of Nuuk or Qaqortoq — this is a serious expedition-level undertaking, not a drive-up trail. Plan transport logistics months in advance and budget accordingly.
Trail track
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