Nuup Kangerlua

Nuup Kangerlua is the fjord system running inland behind Nuuk, a branching network about 160 kilometres long with arms reaching glaciers that calve into the water and mountains rising steeply from it. Humpback whales feed in it through the summer. Ruins of the medieval Norse Western Settlement lie in the fjords around Nuuk, and near the mouth stands the abandoned settlement of Kangeq.

What's there

• The glacier arms - the calving fronts at the heads of the inner fjords.
• The humpback whales - the animals feeding in the fjord through summer.
• The Norse ruins - remains of the medieval Western Settlement in the fjord region.
• Kangeq - the abandoned settlement on an island in the fjord mouth.

When to go

June to September is the boat season and when whales are present. Ice and weather cancel trips. Winter closes most of the fjord to boats.

Things to know

There is no road access; everything is by boat and trips are expensive. Weather cancels sailings regularly. The Norse sites are low ruins with no interpretation.

Nearby

Nuuk is at the fjord mouth, and the ice cap is inland.

Key facts