Auyuittuq National Park
Qikiqtaaluk Region, NU X0A 0R0, Canada
Auyuittuq National Park is a national park located on Baffin Island's Cumberland Peninsula, Qikiqtaaluk Region in Nunavut. It features the many terrains of Arctic wilderness, such as fjords, glaciers, and ice fields. Although Auyuittuq was established in 1976 as a national park reserve, it was upgraded to a full national park in 2000.
Because of the exceptionally low vegetation supply, wildlife is very scarce. There are only 12 species of mammals that live in Auyuittuq Park including Lemmings, Arctic Hare, and Ermine to Polar Bear, Arctic Fox, and some Barren-ground Caribou.
Auyuittuq (ah-you-ee-tuk) means ‘the land that never melts.’ Appropriately, there are plenty of glaciers in this 19, 500-sq-km park, plus jagged peaks, vertiginous cliffs and deep valleys. Hikers trek along the 97km Akshayuk Pass (crossing the Arctic Circle) between late June and early September, when it’s snow-free. Nearby, climbers scale Mt Thor (1500m), the earth’s highest sheer cliff. Camp wherever you can find a safe, wind-proof, ecologically appropriate spot. Nine emergency shelters dot the pass.
The nearest towns are Qikiqtarjuaq and Pangnirtung. Visitors wishing to enter the park are required to register at the park office in Pangnirtung or Qikiqtarjuaq, and attend an orientation session. Park user fees apply.
