Why Are There No Roads in Greenland?
Greenland, north-america
4.5 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, Greenland might be the coolest place you'll never drive across! Seriously, this massive island between the Arctic and Atlantic is all mountains, fjords, and glaciers, so forget road trips between towns – they just don't exist.
So, why no roads? Well, imagine trying to build a highway across a landscape that's mostly rock and ice. Greenland's got a tiny population of around 56,000, spread out in little villages along the coast. Plus, throw in an ice cap that covers 80% of the island and permafrost that makes the ground super unstable. It's a builder's nightmare!
But get this: there *is* one paved road. Just one! This hidden gem is in southwest Greenland, winding 4.5 km (2.8 mi) from Ivittuut, an old mining town near Cape Desolation, up to Kangilinnguit, which used to be a naval base. It's a short stretch, but expect it to be snowed in and closed during the winter.
Road Details
- Country
- Greenland
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 4.5 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
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