Auyuittuq National Park on Baffin Island contains some of the most dramatic vertical relief in the world. Mount Thor has the greatest purely vertical drop on earth — 1,250 metres of granite cliff. The Akshayuk Pass trail runs through the heart of the park, a multi-day hike through a landscape that feels prehistoric.
The pass
Akshayuk Pass is a 97-kilometre traditional Inuit travel route through the park, now one of Canada's great backcountry hikes. You walk between sheer walls of granite, past glaciers, rivers that must be forded, and campsites with views that no photograph can justify. Most hikers take 8–12 days.
Getting there is part of it
The journey starts in Pangnirtung or Qikiqtarjuaq — fly from Iqaluit, then take a boat into the park. There are no roads. Parks Canada orientation is mandatory. You register your route and your return date. This is not a casual day hike.
What to expect
Arctic weather is unforgiving even in summer. Snow is possible in July. River levels rise with heat and rain — some crossings become impassable. Guided trips are available for those without Arctic hiking experience. The reward is a landscape that almost no one you know has seen.