Kobbefjord
The Little Fjord
Last update: 06. November 2025
The station is located at the end of a fjord called Kangerluarsunnguaq (in Danish: Kobbefjord) which means “The little fjord”.
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The Kobbefjord Research Station is located at the very end of Kangerluarsunnguaq which is ca. 30 minutes away from Nuuk by boat. The location in a valley system with more than 1000 meter mountains facilitates easy access to glaciers, freshwater systems
including three lakes, as well asterrestrial, coastal and marine
environments.
The station was built in 2010 to accommodate visiting researchers who study the low artic environment. The station has four buildings accommodating up to 8 people. Among others, the station provides a platform for the integrated long-term monitoring and research program Greenland Ecosystem Monitoring (GEM). The program focuses on ecosystem and climate change effects and feedbacks in the Arctic. The station is owned by the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, and all buildings were funded by the
Aage V. Jensen Foundations.
Vegetation
The vegetation surrounding the station is low arctic tundra with ancle to knee-high dwarf-shrub heaths of gray willow, dwarf birch, and crowberry. Copses of waist-high grey willow or alder are found scattered in the area. Cushion forming species e.g., Alpine azalea
and moss campion light up the drier areas with their pink flowers. In the wetter fen areas, common cottongrass is abundant while four species of orchids can be found in the species rich herb slopes.
Fauna
During summer migratory snowbuntings, Lapland buntings, northern wheatears, and common redpolls nest in the area. Ravens and white-tailed eagles can be seen throughout the year. Caribou often walk through the area especially in the spring and during summer. Humpback whales are sometimes spotted in the fjord.
Cultural Remains
While many parts of Nuup Kangerlua houses vast cultural remains, the area around the station has no registered finds.
Guidelines
- If you come by the station and you see personnel, you are more than welcome to stop by and chat with us. Even though we do our best to welcome all visitors, the station is in general not open for tourists. That includes the use of toilets at the station.
- When visiting the area and walking from the coast into the valley several paths have been used for many years. You are encouraged to use the same paths instead of creating new ones.
- As the area is used for the Greenland Ecosystem Monitoring (GEM) program, different plots and infrastructure are found in the area. Please do not pick up sticks in the ground, walk through clearly marked plots, or open instruments and/or automatic cameras.
- The Arctic chars in Badesø are land-locked and carry heavy parasite burdens. If you come to fish, only fish in the river.
- During spring and early summer, the north facing slopes on the mountains are prone to avalanches and rock falls. Thus, it is generally recommended not to walk or hike below the steep slopes.
- Do not let your dog run without a leash. During summer there are many ground-nesting birds.
- Do not start bonfires and do not throw cigarette buds on the ground. Tundra fires are not uncommon.
- Leave only footprints – bring all waste with you when you leave the area.
Tip
Hike to one of the peaks to get great views of the area. Find an orchid – but take only photos. Pick crowberries and bog bilberries in the autumn.
