The town of Qeqertarsuaq is located on the southern tip of the island of the same name. Qeqertarsuaq means 'large island' and is by far the largest of the islands along the Greenland coast. The town was founded by whaler Svend Sandgreen in 1773.
Whaling has been of great importance to the town over the past two centuries. Hunting and fishing are still the primary occupations for the island's inhabitants around 1,000 of whom live in the main town and more than 50 in the Kangerluk settlement, a few hours by boat to the north-west. This is where researchers found a 'galloping' glacier in 1999 that moves up to 100 meters a day.
As something quite unique in Greenland, it is possible to ride a dog sled at Qeqertarsuaq under the midnight sun in summer. It takes place on the inland ice at a height of around 800 m in the hills behind the town. Wander to the top of the hills where your efforts are rewarded by a fantastic view of Disko Bay and the gigantic icebergs at Ilulissat almost 100 kilometers away.
This article is copyrighted by Greenland Tourism
Tourist information about another destination in Greenland