Upernavik Glacier Bay Mining Road
Iron ore ghost road through active glacier zone
Built in the 1960s to access iron ore deposits near Upernavik Glacier, this brutally remote 62-kilometer track crosses three major glacial moraines before ending at the abandoned Kvanefjeld mining camp. The route follows old Caterpillar tractor paths across boulder fields, through seasonal meltwater lakes, and past calving glacier fronts where house-sized icebergs regularly crash into the bay with thunderous booms.
Expert-level difficulty demands modified 4WD with skid plates, winch, and emergency gear. Massive boulders, hidden crevasses, and unpredictable weather make this extremely hazardous. Accessible only July-August when sea ice retreats. No services, no rescue – complete self-sufficiency required including satellite communication. The reward is witnessing active glacial calving, pristine Arctic wilderness, and some of the most remote terrain accessible by vehicle on Earth. This is pure expedition driving.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Extreme, Historic, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 39 mi / 62 km |
| Duration | 3-4 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2950 ft |
| Best season | July-August |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with winch |
| Nearest town | Upernavik, Greenland |
| Land manager | Government of Greenland |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| 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 build required to attempt this trail?
A modified 4WD with a winch is the floor — not a suggestion. Expect boulder fields, glacial moraine crossings, and soft sediment that will swallow an unprepared rig. Lockers, all-terrain or mud-terrain tires, and high clearance (at minimum 10 inches) are non-negotiable.
When is this trail actually driveable?
July and August only. Outside that window, the route is buried under snow and ice, and glacial melt makes crossings impassable or outright dangerous. Even in peak season, conditions shift fast — a warm week can turn a manageable moraine crossing into a river overnight.
Do you need a permit to run this trail?
Yes. The Government of Greenland controls access to this region, and you'll need to coordinate permits before you go — don't show up and figure it out. Contact the Greenlandic authorities well in advance, as logistics in this part of the Arctic move slowly and expedition-level paperwork is involved.
What's the hardest section and what makes it so serious?
The glacial moraine crossings mid-route are where most rigs will be tested hardest — loose, angular rock stacked unpredictably with no established line and active ice movement that can reshape the terrain between trips. A single recovery in this zone can take hours with no help coming, and the nearest mechanized assistance is in Upernavik, which is not a quick drive.
How do you handle fuel and resupply across 39 miles of Arctic trail over 3-4 days?
You carry everything in. There is zero resupply on route — no fuel, no water treatment stations, no emergency services. Carry enough jerry cans for the full trip plus a buffer, filter glacial meltwater (test for heavy metals given the historic mining activity), and treat this like a remote expedition, not a trail run.
Trail track
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