Trace five centuries of Arctic history on foot — from Martin Frobisher's 16th-century landfalls to the ghostly Cold War DEW Line installations that dot this coast. Few places in Canada compress so much geopolitical and exploration drama into such a stark, beautiful setting.
What to expect
The walk begins at the shoreline, where Frobisher's fleet once anchored in search of the Northwest Passage, and your guide brings the encounter to life with period accounts and artefact context. Moving inland, you reach the remnants of a DEW Line radar installation — rusted, wind-scoured and haunting — that once formed part of North America's Cold War early-warning network. The guide contextualises the geopolitical tension of the 1950s against the utter isolation of this posting. The landscape itself — unchanged since both eras — makes the history feel immediate and visceral.
Good to know
Sturdy waterproof hiking boots are essential; the terrain is uneven tundra with rocky outcrops. Do not enter any derelict structures — environmental contamination protocols apply. Allow 3.5–4 hours including transit; confirm all-aboard timing with the expedition office before booking.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Resolution Island — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.
More to do in Resolution Island
- Zodiac Expedition into Resolution Island's Fjords & Sea Caves
- Arctic Seabird Colony Observation: Murres, Fulmars & Kittiwakes
- Inuit Cultural Encounter: Land Reading & Traditional Skills Workshop
- Fly-Over the Labrador Strait: Private Helicopter Scenic Flight
- Kayak the Arctic Shoreline: Sea-Kayak Expedition at the World's Edge