Auyuittuq National Park (“the land that never melts” in Inuktitut) protects granite peaks, long fiords, ice caps, and glacier-carved valleys on the Cumberland Peninsula of Baffin Island, Nunavut. Famous for the Akshayuk Pass trekking corridor and big-wall peaks like Mount Thor and Mount Asgard, Auyuittuq is a remote, roadless park co-managed with Inuit partners through Parks Canada.
| Location | Cumberland Peninsula, Baffin Island (between Pangnirtung and Qikiqtarjuaq) |
|---|---|
| Province / territory | Nunavut |
| Established | 1972 (NP Reserve); upgraded to National Park in 2000 |
| Area (approx.) | ≈ 19,089 km² (Parks Canada; protects the Northern Davis Strait natural region) |
| Highest peak | Mount Odin (≈2,147 m) |
| Notable features | Akshayuk Pass (~100 km corridor); Penny Ice Cap & outlet glaciers; Mount Thor & Mount Asgard big walls; Pangnirtung & Coronation fiords; emergency shelters along the Pass |
| Nearby communities | Pangnirtung (south gateway); Qikiqtarjuaq (north gateway) |
Overview
Auyuittuq links sea to summits: deep fiords bite into Baffin’s coast, while the Penny Ice Cap feeds glaciers that pour into U-shaped valleys beneath sheer granite towers. The signature route, Akshayuk Pass, threads river valleys and Summit Lake between Pangnirtung and Qikiqtarjuaq, with emergency shelters spaced about a day apart.
Lands and relationships
The park is managed cooperatively with Inuit partners. Visitors register and attend an orientation in Pangnirtung or Qikiqtarjuaq each season, reflecting local knowledge, safety considerations, and cultural respect.
Landscapes and ecosystems
- Peaks & walls: Stark granite massifs and big walls including Mount Thor and Mount Asgard; Mount Odin is the area high point.
- Ice caps & glaciers: The Penny Ice Cap and outlets shape valleys, moraines, and braided rivers.
- Fiords & coast: Narrow, steep-sided fiords open to Davis Strait; coastal travel is tide and weather dependent.
- Wildlife (highlights): Arctic fox, hare, occasional caribou, seabirds and raptors; polar bears may occur near the coast—maintain legal distances and follow guidance.
Things to do
- Akshayuk Pass traverse: Classic 8–12 day backpack or ski (shorter segments possible); shelters at day-travel intervals; river fords required.
- Day trips & short overnights: Valley hikes from either gateway; viewpoints to Thor/Asgard areas in season.
- Mountaineering & ski missions (experienced): Technical ascents and glacier travel with appropriate skills, partners, and permits.
- Learning & culture: Community orientation covers travel protocols, hazards, and local knowledge; guided day trips may be available.
Access and visitor services
- There are no roads. Access is by scheduled flights to Iqaluit, then to Pangnirtung or Qikiqtarjuaq; boat/snowmachine charters reach park entry points as conditions allow.
- Registration & orientation are mandatory before entering the park; user fees apply.
- Basic services (lodging, groceries, outfitters) are in gateway communities; there are no frontcountry campgrounds in-park.
Safety and low-impact travel
- Arctic weather & remoteness: Rapid changes, strong winds, cold water, and limited rescue—carry satellite comms and redundancy.
- Glaciers & rivers: Crevasses, cornices, and high, silty fords; know glacier travel and ford techniques or hire guides.
- Polar bears & other wildlife: Especially near coasts—carry deterrents where advised; store food/odours securely; maintain legal distances.
- Tides & sea conditions: Coastal approaches can be cut off by tides and swell—carry tide tables and plan windows.
- Practice Leave No Trace—protect fragile tundra, moraines, archaeological sites, and intertidal life.
See also
- Sirmilik National Park • Quttinirpaaq National Park • Ukkusiksalik National Park • Qausuittuq National Park
- Pangnirtung, Nunavut • Qikiqtarjuaq • National parks of Canada
External links (official)
- Parks Canada — Auyuittuq National Park: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/nu/auyuittuq
- Parks Canada — Plan your visit (access, permits, outfitters): https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/nu/auyuittuq/visit
- Parks Canada — Hiking/Akshayuk Pass: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/nu/auyuittuq/activ/randonnee-hiking
- Parks Canada — Important bulletins (closures, wildlife, travel advisories): https://parks.canada.ca/amnc-nmca/imp