Backpacking Trips in Auyuittuq National Park

The Auyuittuq Getaway is a 30-km (19-mi) hike that requires no previous backpacking experience. While this trip is designed for beginner hikers, do make sure that you feel comfortable walking on rough terrain with a backpack on your shoulders. First and last days are in hotels, the days in between, in tents. Airport transfers on first and last days are included in the price.

We meet in Pangnirtung, a tiny Inuit hamlet sitting on the coast of the awe-inspiring Pangnirtung Fjord. Once there, take in the stunning vistas of the surrounding snow-dusted mountains and get acclimated to the North.

The next day, we’ll take a motorboat ride from Pangnirtung, otherwise known as Pang, to Overlord, the main entry into the park. You might find it difficult to turn your back on the vast ridges of Mount Overlord but it’s time to set off on our hiking adventure.

Our journey kicks off with a hike up the Weasel River Valley. Admire the magnetizing turquoise color of Crater Lake, which sits in the shadow Tumbling Glacier. Then, get your camera ready - it's time to take pictures of the Arctic Circle marker! A stunning reward awaits you at Schwarzenbach Falls, the tallest waterfall within the Arctic Circle. This roaring cascade drops 520 m into a valley carved out by glaciers.

We’ll be following Inukshuks - man-made stone cairns - that mark the safest routes across the frozen tundra. These figures bear significant cultural value to the Inuit people since they have used them to navigate the harsh wilderness for many centuries.

Our turnaround point is at Windy Lake, where we make a stop to freshen up and rest. From there a long-day hike will take us to the base of Mount Thor, towering at an elevation of 1,675 m (5,495 ft). Named after the Norse god of thunder, this mesmerizing peak boasts the tallest vertical cliff on Earth! It rises 1,250 m (4,101 ft) at an average angle of 105 degrees. After witnessing the natural grandeur of this unique mountain, we’ll head back to Overlord.

Going back is easier as you’ll have a much lighter backpack. Enjoy the last moments of this unexplored wilderness and take a bagful of unforgettable memories home!

You spend the night at Auyuittuq Lodge before catching your flight to Ottawa.

The Auyuittuq Classic is a 70-km (43-mi) hike along the Weasel River to Summit Lake, the highest point on the Akshayuk Pass, and then back to Overlord, the southern entrance of the park. This backpacking trip requires some hiking experience but reasonably fit novices might also join us on this unforgettable adventure. First and last days are in hotels, the days in between, in tents.

Our meeting point is at Pangnirtung, a small Inuit community surrounded by the imposing mountains that guard the town against the harsh Arctic winds.

The next morning, we’ll hop on a motorboat and travel through the beautiful Pangnirtung Fjord to Overlord. As we navigate the fjord, enjoy the breathtaking scenery made up of towering peaks.

Our hike will take us along rugged Weasel River valley, which curves to the top of the pass. We’ll reach Crater Lake, an old glacier moraine that formed a lake, before crossing the imaginary line of the Arctic Circle - the perfect reward for all of your efforts! A particular Inukshuk - Inuit man-shaped cairns - marks this line that is located at latitude 66°33’ North.

As we continue with our journey, prepare to encounter the tallest waterfall known to humans within the Arctic Circle, Schwarzenbach Falls. Take a few moments to admire this solitary cascade that will take your breath away.

Later, we’ll pass Windy Lake before reaching fascinating Mount Thor, the sight of which will send shivers down your spine. This gargantuan mountain holds the record for the tallest vertical cliff on the planet! It rises 1,250 m (4,101 ft) and the slope is even steeper than the vertical with an angle of 105 degrees.

Finally, we reach our turnaround point, Summit Lake. The highest point in the park is an ideal place to contemplate the uncanny beauty of the Canadian Arctic. If the weather is favorable for a day-hike, we’ll head to the Turner Glacier to catch a glimpse of Mount Asgard. This cylindrical peak with an elevation of 2,015 m (6,611 ft) looks like some kind of mythological creature and is the most famous of the Baffin Mountains.

Our backpacking adventure ends in Pangnirtung where you spend the night at Auyuittuq Lodge before catching your flight back to Ottawa.

The Auyuittuq Traverse is a strenuous 97-km (60-mi) hike through the entire Akshayuk Pass. We start with a boat ride from Qikiqtarjuaq, the northern entrance to the park, and end in Pangnirtung. First and last days are in hotels, the days in between, in tents.

This backpacking expedition is designed for experienced hikers and includes challenging river crossings and walking on uneven terrain. Do make sure you’re fit and feel comfortable with multi-day hiking. While this trip might require a little extra effort, it also provides once-in-a-lifetime travel moments at every stage of the journey!

We meet at Qikiqtarjuaq, formerly known as Broughton Island, where we spend the night at Tulugak Hotel.

Next day, we’ll take a motorboat ride through the Northern Pangnirtung Fjord to the mainland of Baffin Island. As the surrounding waters of Qikiqtarjuaq are abundant with marine wildlife, keep your eyes peeled for whales, narwhals walruses, and seals.

We travel up Owl River Valley, packed with rarely traversed landscapes until we find ourselves between Glacier Lake and Summit Lake. Shortly after, the magnificent Mount Asgard will come into view. Girded by ancient glaciers, this mountain has two flat top cylindrical peaks and a saddle-like rock formation that connects them. The unique mountain towers up 2,011 m (6,598 ft) and is certainly a worthy home for the mighty pantheon of Norse gods.

After passing Summit Lake, our descent through the Weasel River Valley begins. Prepare for another awe-inspiring sight. Mount Thor with the steepest vertical cliff on Earth, up to 1,250 m (4,101 ft), will stretch your imagination. Continuing with our hike, we'll pass Windy Lake and a bit farther, we'll cross the Arctic Circle.

Finally, we reach Crater Lake and carry on towards Mount Overlord, the final waypoint of the Akshayuk Pass. Here the hiking part of our trip ends. A boat ride through Pangnirtung Fjord will take us to Pangnirtung. Here you spend the night at Auyuittuq Lodge before catching your flight to Ottawa.

This “Auyuittuq Quick Escape” hike is a suitable expedition for any reasonably fit hiker with some previous backpacking experience. An adventurous novice could also consider the trip. We will be carrying full packs, and, in places, the route is challenging.

Auyuittuq National Park in Canada’s eastern Arctic has some of the most beautiful alpine scenery on earth. We meet in Pangnirtung, Nunavut – a remote Inuit hamlet on the shore of Pangnirtung Fiord. From there we will travel by motor boat to Overlord Peak at the end of the Fiord and help each other put on our packs for the first steps north on our 30-km journey. We will ascend the Weasel River Valley, passing Crater Lake, before reaching the Arctic Circle. Across the valley we’ll see Schwartzenbach Falls. Shortly thereafter, we’ll reach our turnaround point at Windy Lake. The valley beyond takes us to Thor Peak, which rises 1500 metres from the valley floor. Here, we often take a long day-hike with light packs to view Thor Peak before turning back toward the sea.

• At this time of year, temperatures run around 10-20°C (50-68°F) on average. That said, expect clear and sunny days, but as Arctic weather is always changing, do make sure that you prepare for rainy or windy days as well.
• Group camping equipment and tents are provided but don’t forget to bring a sleeping bag and pad. A recommended packing list will be provided upon booking.

Please Note

Park fee of $150 per person applies to all trips