Itinnera Reindeer Farm

Itinnera is the site of the abandoned reindeer farm on the Kapisillit fjord, a half-day walk west of the village. The route follows the shoreline and crosses a couple of low ridges, easy in summer but trackless after rain.

The buildings are ruined but recognisable. The interest is partly historical — Greenland's attempt at a southern Norwegian-style sheep and reindeer economy — and partly the chance of seeing the descendant herd, semi-wild and not especially shy. Take food, water, and a tent if you want to make it an overnight; there are good camping spots near the old farm.

things to do sight hiking
A story
Reindeer are not native to Greenland — they were introduced from Norway in the 1950s as part of a state-sponsored attempt to make pastoral farming viable in the south. Itinnera was the experimental farm. The herd lasted into the 1990s before being closed and the buildings abandoned; some of the descendants are now wild on the surrounding tundra.