Your Arctic Circle Trail packing list must be fully self-supported: a wind-worthy tent, a stove with fuel, 8–10 days of food, and a 55–65 litre pack. Greenland's 165 km route has no shops and only basic huts, so you carry everything. Plan for river crossings, near-freezing nights and heavy July mosquitoes.
Why the Arctic Circle Trail demands a self-supported kit
The Arctic Circle Trail runs 165 km from Kangerlussuaq to Sisimiut with no resupply, no staffed lodges and only simple unstaffed huts that may be full. This means you carry all your food, shelter and cooking gear for 8–10 days. The packing priorities are weather protection, a warm sleep system, and enough pack volume to hold roughly 7–9 kg of food at the start.
Which backpack do you need?
Plan for 55–65 litres to hold a tent, stove, and up to 10 days of food. The Osprey Aether 65 offers proven load support for the heavy early days, while the Deuter Aircontact Core 50+10 excels at transferring 18+ kg to the hips. Ultralight hikers who keep base weight low can use the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60, which stays under 800 g yet carries a full food load comfortably.
Shelter and sleep system for the tundra
You need a freestanding or semi-freestanding 3-season tent that handles wind, as exposed tundra campsites offer no shelter. Pair it with a sleeping bag rated to around -5 °C (warmer for late August) and an insulated pad with R-value 3+. Stake out well; Arctic storms arrive fast. The huts are a bonus, not a guarantee, so never rely on them having space.
Clothing for Arctic summer weather
Conditions swing from 15 °C sun to near-freezing sleet, so layer:
- Base: merino or synthetic long-sleeve top and bottoms.
- Mid: a fleece or light insulated jacket.
- Insulation: a down or synthetic puffy for camp.
- Shell: a fully waterproof jacket and trousers, non-negotiable in Greenland.
Add a warm hat, gloves, and crucially a head net for July mosquitoes. Bring quick-drying shoes or sandals for the many river fords.
The complete Arctic Circle Trail checklist
| Category | Items |
|---|---|
| Pack | 55–65 L pack, dry bags, pack liner |
| Shelter | Wind-worthy 3-season tent, extra stakes |
| Sleep | -5 °C bag, R3+ pad |
| Cooking | Stove, fuel, pot, 8–10 days food |
| Clothing | Layers, hard shell, head net, camp shoes |
| Navigation | GPS, paper map, compass, power bank |
Food, fuel and water planning
Plan around 700–900 g of food per day, prioritising calorie-dense items: most hikers carry 5,500–6,000 kcal worth daily for a route this demanding. Bring a stove and enough fuel for 8–10 days, since fuel cannot be bought on trail (buy gas canisters in Kangerlussuaq, not flown in). Water is abundant from lakes and streams, so a lightweight filter plus a 1-litre bottle is enough. Fishing for Arctic char is possible with a permit and lightens the food load.
Navigation and safety essentials
Trail markers are sparse and fog is common, so carry a GPS with the route loaded, a paper map and compass, and a 20,000 mAh power bank. A satellite messenger is wise given the remoteness, as there is no mobile coverage for most of the route. For current conditions and flight logistics into Kangerlussuaq, check Visit Greenland. If you would prefer a lighter, hut-supported Arctic alternative, Sweden's Kungsleden lets you skip the tent on many stages; see hut details from the Swedish Tourist Association (STF).
How do you keep gear dry and organised in 2026?
Greenland's weather makes waterproofing essential, not optional. Line your pack with a single heavy-duty liner and split gear into dry bags: one for your sleep system, one for spare clothing, one for electronics and your map. Keep your waterproof shell, head net and a snack accessible at the top, since squalls arrive within minutes on open tundra. Balance the heavy early-trip food load high and close to your spine to keep the pack stable on boggy, uneven ground. As of 2026 there is no resupply, so weigh your full food bag before departure, around 7–9 kg for a 9-day crossing, to confirm it fits your chosen pack.
What safety and emergency gear is essential?
Remoteness makes self-rescue capability vital on the Arctic Circle Trail. Carry a satellite messenger or personal locator beacon, since there is no mobile coverage for most of the 165 km, plus a comprehensive first-aid kit, a repair kit for your tent and stove, and a foil emergency blanket. A GPS with the route loaded, backed by a paper map and compass, handles the sparse waymarking and frequent fog. A 20,000 mAh power bank keeps your GPS and messenger running for the full trek. For load comfort over the heavy food carry, a 55–65 litre pack such as the Osprey Aether 65 or the load-hauling Deuter Aircontact Core 50+10 works well, while ultralight hikers use the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60. If you would rather hut-hop, Sweden's Kungsleden lets you carry far less.
What footwear handles the river crossings best?
Footwear strategy is shaped by the trail's many unbridged river fords. Most hikers wear sturdy waterproof boots or trail shoes for walking and carry lightweight quick-drying shoes or sandals specifically for crossings, keeping their main footwear dry. Crossing in dedicated shoes also protects your feet from sharp rocks where barefoot fording is tempting. Bring three to four wool sock pairs plus liners to manage moisture, and treat any hot spot immediately, since blisters fester fast in damp Arctic conditions. Gaiters help keep grit and bog water out on the tundra. Unclip your pack's hip belt before each ford so you can shed it if you fall. Carry the load in a supportive 55–65 litre pack such as the Osprey Aether 65 or the load-hauling Deuter Aircontact Core 50+10, or trim grams with the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60 on the Arctic Circle Trail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much food do you carry on the Arctic Circle Trail?
Plan 700–900 g per day, or roughly 5,500–6,000 kcal, for the full 8–10 days, since there is no resupply. Prioritise calorie-dense foods like nuts, cheese, dehydrated meals and chocolate. Fishing for Arctic char with a permit can supplement and lighten your load.
Do you need a tent on the Arctic Circle Trail?
Yes, carry a tent. The route's huts are basic, unstaffed and first-come, so they may be full when you arrive. A wind-worthy 3-season tent guarantees shelter on exposed tundra and gives you freedom to camp anywhere along the 165 km.
Can you buy stove fuel for the Arctic Circle Trail?
Buy gas canisters or liquid fuel in Kangerlussuaq before you start, as you cannot fly with fuel or buy it on the trail. Carry enough for 8–10 days of cooking, plus a small margin for cold mornings that slow boil times.
How cold does it get on the Arctic Circle Trail?
Summer days reach 10–15 °C inland, but nights drop near freezing, and late August can bring frost and the first snow. A sleeping bag rated to around -5 °C and a fully waterproof shell are essential year-round on this route.
Is water easy to find on the Arctic Circle Trail?
Yes. Lakes and streams are abundant along the entire route, so you only need a lightweight filter and a 1-litre bottle rather than carrying large volumes. This keeps pack weight down despite the long food carry.
