TREK STHORTOQ-IGALIKU
This very beautiful hike is a wonderful combination of Viking history, change of scenery and grandeur. It lasts between 4 and 7 days (usually more like 5 days). The peninsula is dominated by the 1,200-metre long jagged hill called Killavaat (Redekammen in Danish) visible from almost every place. There are several ways to get to Igaliku but we choose the simplest one here. This means that you will not encounter a difference in elevation of more than 445 metres and the terrain will not be as steep as on the road between Qassiarsuk and Narsaq. However, note that there are no cabins or sheep farms, so you will have to sleep all the way in a tent and make sure you have provisions for food throughout the trip. In addition to the beauty of the scenery and the views of the fjords with drifting icebergs, you will also pass through several vestiges of the Viking period, such as the magnificent, well-preserved Hvalsey Church, recently classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017. You will also have the opportunity to visit Sissarluttoq. If this site is not as well known as Hvalsey and Igaliku, it is nevertheless an impressive place with its 42 ruins!
Good to know: the Qaqortoq - Hvalsey - Igaliku hiking route is partly marked by cairns. A good map is still essential. You can get one at the tourist office where it is best to stop by to indicate your departure and arrival days for safety reasons, in case you have an accident on the road.
Tip: if you don't have much time in front of you, it is always possible to ask for a boat ride directly to the church in Hvalsey. This will save you a day and a half and you will then have the most beautiful section to travel to Igaliku. Convenient for short stays, or the less sporty! Please contact Sagalands for boat transfer rates. Going with a local guide can also be a good idea if you are not comfortable trekking alone for several days, especially if it is your first experience.
Qaqortoq has other beautiful walks including the one around Tasersuaq Lake (3h) which starts from the city centre and takes you quickly into the surrounding mountains. If you really want to explore the backcountry, the most famous and popular is undoubtedly the Qaqortoq-Igaliku, which is done over several days.