mountain bike Greenland
ARCTIC CIRCLE
DEtails:
DATES: Private Departures Only
Duration: 8 Nights, 9 Days
Joining In: Reykjavik, Iceland
Land Cost: $8995 USD/person | Currency Conversion
Single room supplement: TBD
Activity Level: Advanced+ | more info »
We’re honoured to offer the world’s first mountain bike Greenland adventure. Start the trip 250 kms north of the Arctic Circle in the village of Ilulissat with its famous UNESCO World Heritage designated ‘Icefjord’, a fjord that’s overflowing with building-sized icebergs calving from the fastest moving glacier in the world. Around Illulissat we’ll ride it’s amazing rockslab playgrounds with the sound of ice cracking and whales breaching in the distance. Then, we take a two-night ferry down the coast of Greenland, a great opportunity to see this fascinating country. Next stop is a point-to-point singletrack bike packing ride through a remote region inland from the village of Sisimiut that will test one’s grit as you ride across a pristine natural environment, past nameless lakes and rivers. You’ll also experience the fascinating culture of Greenland where the local population are descendants of Canada’s Inuit, with a strong Scandinavian and Norse influence. This trip spends three nights in hotels, two nights in a ship in private cabins and three nights of self-supported bikepacking. This is a true expedition that is led by a professional Canadian guide with extensive experience and knowledge of arctic environments.
Four (4) riders minimum at posted land cost, suggested to visit from late July through early September. *Price subject to change as logistics might differ when trip is booked.
Looking for another trip in this region? Check out our Iceland mountain bike trip.
Photo: Ben Haggar
Trip Highlights:
- Riding along Ilulissat Icefjord in the shadow of icebergs, like nowhere else on the planet.
- Feeling the next-level remoteness and pure nature on the four-day bikepacking traverse. Exhilarating!
- Experiencing the pace of living in the arctic where mother nature is ultimately in charge.
- Cruising 250 km on a comfortable arctic ship along the West-Coast of Greenland with views of icebergs, the Davis Straight, mountains and whales.
- Whales everywhere that you’ll hear and see breach, especially around Ilulissat.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
- Professional Big Mountain leader.
- Flight Reykjavik, Iceland to Illulusat, Greenland (including bike fee)
- Flight Sisimiut, Greenland to Reykjavik, Iceland (including bike fee).
- Private charter boat Sisimiut to Arctic Circle Trail.
- Private charter boat Ilulissat to Oqaatsut.
- Three nights three-star hotel.
- Five breakfasts, one lunch & three dinners
- Two-night ferry (private cabin with two beds) including bike transport fee.
- Detailed pre-departure information including packing list and trip extension assistance.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?
- All meals during bike packing trip. All lunches & five dinners.
- Bikepacking & camping equipment such as bivy sac (or small tent), sleeping bag, stove, pot set, fuel, etc.
- Personal items like drinks (wine, beer, coffee, etc).
- Your bike & equipment needed to ride.
- Airfare to/from Reykavik including extra baggage fees.
- Optional sea kayaking excursion.
- Optional tipping to guide.
- Mandatory personal travel and medical insurance.
- Unexpected additional costs if itinerary is amended due to rider injury, weather delays, bike mechanical, etc.
Bike and equipment
A lightweight full-suspension trail bike with 130-140mm travel that climbs and descends capably is best for this adventure, or a hard-tail would suffice. Tires should be tubeless, 2.30” or above, aggressive tread design for rocky terrain, one to two-ply casing for durability, puncture resistance and added control. Eye protection and knee pads that you can comfortably pedal in are highly recommended. Helmets are mandatory when on your bike. A 25L backpack and full bike packing set-up is needed on this trip.
Suggested Bike
Trek Fuel
Suggested pack
EVOC FR Tour 30
ACTIVITY LEVEL
The minimum technical ability required for Greenland is Advanced+. This trip is suitable if you have been riding consistently for a decade or more and can navigate technical sections and conditions. Expect walk- ing and pushing sections and some technical trials-esque riding. This trip is a Level 5/6 for fitness. The accumulation of multiple long days of riding will add up, as it is on all of our trips the fitter you are, the more fun you’ll have.
THE RIDING
The first two rides are without bike bags across a fun rocky landscape of granite slabs with technical trials-esque ups and downs where you’ll get off and on your bike. The bike packing portion of the trip is on a mostly dirt trail, compact and wet at times that’s 80+% rideable for a strong and fit rider. Due to the remoteness of this trip it’s imperative to avoid injury and mechanicals. Riders should have some bike-packing experience and self-sufficient riding experience.
LODGING AND CUISINE
On this adventure we spend three nights at a three-star hotel, two nights in private cabins on an arctic ship and three nights camping. Greenlandic cuisine is traditionally based on meat from marine mammals, game, birds, and fish, and normally contains high levels of protein. Since the arrival of international trade, the cuisine has been increasingly European influenced. Please notify Big Mountain Bike Adventures if you have any special dietary needs.
CLIMATE
July and August through early September are the best months to visit Greenland. There are more bugs earlier in the summer and in early Sep- tember it can get cold and snow can fall. Riders must be prepared for all types of cool and wet weather.
YOUR SAFETY
Our trips take place in remote regions with limited evacuation options available. Our guides have basic first aid training, if a serious injury is suspected they will call helicopter search and rescue at the cost of the participant. Personal medical travel insurance is mandatory for all riders. If you choose to participate in our trips it is up to you to ride well within your limits, to ride conservatively, to walk sections if needed and to be safe as mountain biking is a dangerous sport. There are always risks and hazards on all trails that we ride. It is your responsibility to inspect your bike or rental bike daily and keep it in excellent condition. Helmets are mandatory and alcohol and drugs are not permitted while riding your bike.
THE NEXT STEPS
Please read and understand our Terms and Conditions and our Waiver. Then, email or call us to make sure that your desired departure is confirmed and there’s still space available. We’ll then send you a short Rider Questionnaire to learn about your riding experience and ensure that you are suitable for the trip. The last step is to complete our secure online Registration Form and pay your 25% deposit, and we’ll send you detailed Trip Preparation Guide that includes steps on preparing for your adventure.
Travel Protection Plan
A Travel Protection Plan protects your travel investment, your belongings, and most importantly, you. We strongly advise travelers to enroll in a Travel Protection Plan in case an unexpected event causes you to cancel or leave your trip. Please review Big Mountain Bike Adventures’ Cancellation Policy:
A Travel Protection Plan should be purchased once a deposit or any payment is made for a trip. Insurance must provide coverage for personal accident, death, emergency remote evacuation including helicopter evacuation, medical expenses and emergency repatriation. We advise travellers to confirm that it covers trip cancellation, curtailment, personal liability and loss of luggage and personal effects. You will be asked for proof of insurance in lead up to your trip; you will not be able to join the trip without it. If you choose to travel without adequate insurance coverage, Big Mountain will not be liable for any losses howsoever arising, in respect to insurance coverage that would have otherwise have been available.
“The diversity of the environment blew my mind, from the flowing glaciers, steep fjords, massive icebergs, untouched alpine valleys and formidable mountain passes.”
