Hare Fjord | Where the Inland Ice Meets Scoresbysund

By Coty Perry

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Hare Fjord | Where the Inland Ice Meets Scoresbysund

Hare Fjord stretches deep into eastern Greenland, pushing further west than almost any other branch of Scoresbysund - one of the planet’s largest fjord systems. It is a place where glaciers descend directly from the Inland Ice, calving into dark, still waters, while Arctic hares and musk oxen roam the scattered tundra terraces above.

The fjord takes its name from these elusive white hares, first recorded by explorers moving cautiously through this labyrinth of ice and water. You are just as likely, however, to spot their larger four-legged neighbours grazing the slopes in late summer, when brief bursts of vegetation take hold.

Unlike neighbouring Vestfjord to the south - often choked with glacier ice and difficult to navigate - Hare Fjord is frequently more accessible. Two glaciers anchor its head. Neither makes superlative claims to size or speed, yet both convey a raw, restrained power that defines this part of East Greenland.

Hare Fjord is one of the most dramatic arms of Scoresbysund.

Inland ice, glacial walls, almost no other vessels. Our expeditions reach it. Talk to a specialist about conditions.

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Mapping the Inner Fjords of East Greenland

Hare Fjord entered recorded European geography during the overwintering of the East Greenland Expedition of 1891–1892, led by Carl Ryder. Working from the eastern coast at the same time that Robert Peary was exploring Greenland from the west, Danish expeditions focused on systematic research rather than singular conquest.

Ryder’s expedition produced the first detailed mapping of the inner branches of Scoresbysund, named after the British explorer and scientist Willem Scoresby. Many of the place names still used today - including Hare Fjord, Rypefjord, and Øfjord - date to this period, reflecting features, wildlife, or incidents encountered during the survey work.

Steep slopes and silent stories

The walls of inner Hare Fjord rise sharply from the water, broken only by occasional tundra shelves. These narrow terraces provide just enough grazing for hardy Arctic species and enough shelter for signs of earlier human presence. Ancient Inuit habitation sites - stone circles and food caches - still dot the landscape, quiet markers of lives sustained in one of the planet’s most demanding environments.

The glaciers themselves command attention. Flowing directly from the Inland Ice, which looms immediately behind them, they create a striking sense of layered scale. From the deck of a small expedition vessel, the terrain appears almost approachable. Up close, that illusion quickly dissolves.

Because time is always limited here, Hare Fjord often leaves a lingering impression. The terrain invites exploration - long walks tracing the boundary between one of Earth’s great fjord systems and the immense ice sheet beyond - yet rarely allows more than a brief encounter.

Visiting Hare Fjord today

Our Expedition Micro Cruises through Scoresbysund may enter Hare Fjord when ice conditions allow. With small groups aboard, there is space to experience the fjord properly - whether zodiac cruising near the glacier fronts or walking the tundra with guides who have spent multiple seasons navigating these waters.

Hare Fjord does not overwhelm with drama. Instead, it asks for attention and patience, offering a quiet meeting place between ice, land, and the early exploration of East Greenland.

Iceberg scenic view drone shot in Scoresby Sund Secret Atlas

Northeast Greenland National Park Micro Cruise

76°50'N, 23°10'W

The ultimate Greenland experience – a unique two-week adventure into Northeast Greenland National Park, the world’s largest national park, and Scoresbysund, the longest fjord system on Earth.