Town of Qeqertarsuaq

A charming town with stunning red basalt mountains, diverse plant life, and whale spotting opportunities. Hikers can explore trails, including a challenging...

Greenland's largest island is named Qeqertarsuaq, which is also the location of a charming town with just 850 inhabitants. This historic settlement, founded in 1773, is surrounded by stunning red basalt mountains on the southern side of Disco Island, also known as Qeqertarsuaq in Greenlandic. Tourists are drawn to the area for its breathtaking basalt formations, diverse plant life with over 250 different species, and the opportunity to spot whales in the nearby bay. Hikers of all skill levels will find many trails to explore, including a challenging trek up to the Lyngmark Glacier, which offers stunning views. According to local legend, Qeqertarsuaq was once located in South Greenland until two hunters pulled it all the way to the north using a single strand of hair from an infant. However, a witch in Ilulissat cast a spell on the island causing it to fall to the ground before reaching its intended destination.