Gear List: Arctic Circle Trail, Greenland
What to carry for roughly ten self-supported days on Greenland's Arctic Circle Trail — with notes on bugs, water, wind and food.
The Arctic Circle Trail runs roughly 160 km between Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut in West Greenland. It’s remote, there’s no resupply along the way, and the weather can swing from warm and buggy to cold and windswept in a single day. Here’s how I’d approach a gear list for it.
The key considerations
- No resupply: You’ll carry food for the whole trip — typically 7 to 11 days.
- Mosquitoes: From late June through July they can be intense. A head net is non-negotiable.
- Wind: A stable, low-profile shelter matters more than a spacious one.
- Water: Lakes and streams are everywhere; many hikers drink untreated, but carrying a light filter is a reasonable precaution.
- Huts: Basic unstaffed huts exist along the route, but don’t rely on them — carry a full shelter.
The list
| Category | Item | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pack | 45–55 L frameless or lightly framed pack | Needs to carry a heavy food load comfortably at the start |
| Shelter | Wind-worthy single- or double-wall tent | Plenty of guy-out points; sand or rock stakes |
| Sleep | Quilt or bag rated to around 0°C | Nights can be cold even in summer |
| Sleep | Insulated air pad (R-value 3+) | Permafrost ground stays cold |
| Clothing | Waterproof jacket and trousers | Also blocks wind and bugs |
| Clothing | Light fleece and synthetic insulated jacket | Layering for camp and cold mornings |
| Clothing | Long-sleeve sun shirt, long trousers | Covers skin from sun and mosquitoes |
| Clothing | Head net, light gloves, warm hat | The head net is essential |
| Feet | Trail runners, 2–3 pairs of socks, camp sandals | Plenty of fords and boggy ground |
| Kitchen | Canister or alcohol stove, 750 ml pot | Check fuel availability in Kangerlussuaq |
| Water | 2 × 1 L bottles, small filter | Water is abundant |
| Navigation | Offline map app, paper map, compass | Route is cairned but vague in places |
| Safety | Satellite messenger, first-aid kit | No mobile coverage on most of the route |
| Misc | Headlamp, sunscreen, repellent, trowel | 24-hour daylight in early summer |
Final thoughts
The biggest weight is always food. Plan calorie-dense meals, repackage everything and be honest about how many days you’ll need. For more on paring back what you carry, see the principles of going lighter.