Nattoralinnguup Tasia Trail
An easy day hike to a shelter overlooking a beautiful lake at the base of Palasip Qaqqaa.
| Trail type | return |
| Time | 1.5 – 2 hrs |
| Distance | 4.3 km |
| Altitude | 146 m |
| Physical | easy |
| Technical | easy |
What you can expect on the trail
Nattoralinnguup Tasia is an easy, mostly flat day hike from Sisimiut that leads to a small shelter overlooking a beautiful lake. It is located in the valley at the base of Palasip Qaqqaa, and is a fantastic (and much easier!) alternative to the summit hike.
There are abundant crowberries and mushrooms in the Autumn, and the shelter, where you also have a view of a high waterfall, is a wonderful place for a picnic.
The trail to the shelter is marked with blue dots and (where possible) cairns. There are a few social trails at the start, but you won’t have an issue following the markers. It can be very boggy and wet after rain, and you may need to take your shoes off to cross the river at the end of the lake.
Trail Description
The hike begins 3.5km from Sisimiut along the road to the airport, just before you cross the river to the trailhead of the Palasip Qaqqaa trail. Look to your right and you will find the first of the markings (blue dots/cairns). There is no trailhead sign yet.
The trail immediately heads towards the very large cairn on a small rise that is easily visible from the road. There are a few social trails at the start, but just aim for the cairn.
After the cairn, the trail drops back down to the valley, takes a sharp left, and then a short, steep climb to a small plateau. There is an obvious trail that leads on from there that continues to rise until you reach the end of the lake.
Here, you need to cross the river. You may need to take your shoes off and wade through the shallows of the lake itself. Be careful, and make your judgement for exactly where to cross based on the conditions.
After that, it’s an easy hike along the western edge of Nattalinnguup Tasia. There are some interesting large boulders and one more river to cross before the final short steep climb to the shelter. If you use the shelter – please leave it in equal or better condition than you found it, and make sure you secure the door.
Return by the same route.
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Other resources
Safety Information
- There may be no cell phone coverage on parts of the trail. Ideally, you should do this hike with another person, but at least let someone know your plans and when you expect to return.
- Weather can change very quickly. Even on a sunny day, make sure you bring a wind- and waterproof jacket with you as a minimum. If the weather starts to turn, descend immediately.
- Make sure you bring a full water bottle. You can refill your bottle from the river and the lake (the water is clean and safe to drink). We also recommend you bring sunscreen, a sun hat, and a mosquito head-net.
- Please minimize your impact on the environment. Follow existing roads and trails, don’t build or alter cairns, and take all your rubbish back to Sisimiut with you.
- If you are hiking early or late in the season, be careful of sections of deep snow and slippery surfaces
Please make sure you are familiar with all our safety recommendations and the 7 Leave No Trace principles before you hike.