

Wildflowers of South Greenland
Jump to chapter
Published: 25/06/2020
Reading time: 4 minutes
Wait … what? Wildflowers in Greenland? I was surprised too, but indeed there are wildflowers during summer, and Narsarsuaq in South Greenland is one of the best places to see them.
How Greenland got its name
According to the Icelandic Sagas, Greenland was given its name by the infamous Erik the Red, who, after being exiled from Iceland, made his way west and settled there. The name was an effort to try and encourage other settlers, the rationale being that “people would be attracted there if it had a favorable name”.
Clearly he was a marketing genius, and he also must have really talked it up when he returned to Iceland after his exile 3 years later, because 25 ships containing several hundred people set out from Iceland to follow him to this new promised land.

These days, common perception is that Greenland is cold, icy, and inhospitable – perhaps not surprising given that 80% of it is covered by an icecap. So visitors may be surprised to learn that parts of Greenland are actually quite green, and have a plethora of wildflowers during the summer. I know I certainly was!
Exploring South Greenland
I visited South Greenland in July 2017, spending two weeks hiking around Narsaq, Igaliku, Sillisit, Qassiarsuk, and Narsarsuaq. This gave me plenty of time to become accustomed to the almost complete lack of trees and the joys of walking through Arctic tundra vegetation.

There was plenty of grass – South Greenland is sheep country after all.

But also a lot of other ground covers that ranged from ankle-depth to hip-height, and made hiking a little challenging at times when you couldn’t actually see where to put your feet (there are few actual trails in Greenland).

I’d seen a few flowers here and there along the way, but it wasn’t until I got to Narsarsuaq that I was treated to the most wonderful display of wildflower color.

Where to see wildflowers near Narsarsuaq
A short and easy hike from Narsarsuaq is the well-defined Ridge Hike that leads up to a viewpoint over the Narsarsuaq Glacier. In the right season, the path is lined with a multitude of wildflowers that are as stunningly beautiful as they are unexpected.

The added bonus is that at the end of the hike you get a slightly distant view of the Narsarsuaq Glacier and the river that results from the melting of its ice.

Another (longer and more difficult) hike from Narsarsuaq that also offers plenty of wildflowers is the Narsarsuaq Glacier Hike. This passes through the Hospital Valley before descending into the aptly named Flower Valley, and then climbing very steeply to a different lookout over the Glacier.

On this trail, you see a lot of the same wildflowers as you do on the Ridge Hike, but you also get to see my favorite wildflower – the Arctic Cottongrass (Ukaliusaq in Greenlandic). This only grows in damp conditions, so can’t be found on top of the ridge.

Again – the bonus (if you make it to the viewpoint) is an amazing close-up view over the Narsarsuaq Glacier, and you can also continue down to the Glacier itself.

My recommendation is that if you find yourself in South Greenland during summer, definitely take the time to seek out the wildflowers there. Just remember to bring a head net with you because if the flies find you, they will drive you crazy! Yes, even the dogs wear them 🙂

How I arranged my trip in South Greenland
I arranged my 2 weeks of traveling independently in South Greenland with Blue Ice Explorer. They took care of all of the logistics including accommodation, boat transfers and luggage transfers for only slightly more than it would have cost me to arrange it all myself. Highly recommended.
Read more travel blogs from Lisa Germany
-
Half day Snowshoe Hike | Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration5 hoursFrom 2190 DKKSee more -
Flights included!
Kayak & Ice Hike | 8 Days | South Greenland
Tour startsFrom Copenhagen From IcelandDuration8 daysFrom 25300 DKKSee more -
New tour
Dog sledding tour to the UFO cabin | Sisimiut
Tour startsSisimiutDuration4 hoursFrom 2100 DKKSee more -
5.00(3)
Chasing the Northern Lights | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration2 hoursFrom 550 DKKSee more -
Small groups!
Sail With The Whales with an open boat | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration2 hoursFrom 1430 DKKSee more -
5.00(6)Small groups
Iceberg Safari with open boat | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration2 hoursFrom 1430 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)
Sea Safari | Sisimiut | North Greenland
Tour startsSisimiutDuration2 hoursFrom 1000 DKKSee more -
Winter Safari | Sisimiut
Tour startsSisimiutDuration1 hourFrom 450 DKKSee more -
New Tour!
Private Stand-Up Paddle in Ilulissat Icefjord from the boat | Ilulissat
Tour startsIlulissatDuration2 hoursFrom 1650 DKKSee more -
Authentic experience!
Expedition on Dogsled | 2 Days | Ilulissat
Tour startsIlulissatDuration2 daysFrom 10700 DKKSee more -
4.83(12)
Closed boat Fjord Adventure | Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration2 hoursFrom 1050 DKKSee more -
Glacier Camping | Midnight Sun Expedition | East Greenland
Tour startsKulusukDuration2 daysFrom 3700 DKKSee more -
5.00(2)
Ukkusissaq Mountain Hike | Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration5 hoursFrom 2195 DKKSee more -
5.00(2)
Hunting Northern Lights with Snowmobile | Ilulissat
Tour startsIlulissatDuration2 hoursFrom 1800 DKKSee more -
FLIGHTS FROM DENMARK INCLUDED!
Luxury Arctic Escape – Aurora Cabins & Helicopter Glacier Tour | 5-Days | Ilulissat
Tour startsFrom CopenhagenDuration5 daysFrom 31300 DKKSee more -
Kuannit Hike | Qeqertarsuaq | Disko Bay
Tour startsQeqertarsuaqDuration4 hoursFrom 595 DKKSee more -
New Exiting Tour
Guided tour in Nuuk with UTV (Utility Terrain Vehicles) | Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration1.5 hoursFrom 950 DKKSee more -
5.00(17)Ideal For Cruise Guests
Private guided tour by car in the capital of Greenland | Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration1.5 hoursFrom 2250 DKKSee more -
4.90(30)
Nuuk Icefjord | Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration6 hoursFrom 2495 DKKSee more