Trek across rolling tundra to Collinson Head, the island's dramatic northernmost promontory, for sweeping panoramas across the Beaufort Sea — one of the most remote and photogenic viewpoints accessible from any cruise port on Earth.
What to expect
The trail winds across a tundra carpet of Arctic cotton grass, dwarf willows, and cloudberries, with permafrost patterned ground creating a geometric mosaic underfoot. At Collinson Head, the land drops sharply to the Beaufort Sea — on clear days you can see the Mackenzie Delta smudging the horizon to the east and the Brooks Range of Alaska to the west. Lemmings dart between sedge clumps, and rough-legged hawks hover overhead. The quality of Arctic light, especially in the long summer afternoon, makes this one of the finest photographic opportunities in the Canadian North.
Good to know
The return hike to Collinson Head is approximately 8 km round-trip and takes 3–4 hours at a comfortable pace. Wear waterproof hiking boots as the tundra is boggy in places. Receive a ranger orientation at the landing point before setting out. Check in with the park station at Pauline Cove on return and confirm all-aboard times before departing.
More to do in Herschel Island
- Herschel Island Guided Wilderness & Wildlife Day Expedition
- Beluga & Bowhead Whale Watching by Zodiac: Beaufort Sea
- Pauline Cove Whaling History Walk with a Territorial Park Ranger
- Inuvialuit Cultural Immersion: Traditional Crafts & Oral History
- Arctic Photography Expedition: Tundra, Wildlife & Midnight Light