Kejser Franz Joseph Fjord

Kejser Franz Joseph Fjord is an Arctic fjord in Northeast Greenland National Park that stretches about 100 kilometers westward from Foster Bay. Steep cliffs displaying alternating layers of limestone and dolomite define the shoreline, while multiple glaciers including Waltershausen Glacier and Nunatak Glacier extend into side arms.

The fjord was first mapped by the Second German North Polar Expedition between 1869 and 1870, and was named in honor of Emperor Franz Joseph. This early cartographic work in one of Earth's most remote regions documented scientific exploration of northern Greenland during the 1800s.

The fjord carries different names across languages: Kejser Franz Josef Fjord in Danish, Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord in German, and Kangerluk Kejser Franz Joseph in Greenlandic. This naming diversity reflects the various cultures that have connections to this remote Arctic location.

The best time to visit is during the brief Arctic summer months when water conditions are more favorable and ice coverage decreases. Access is primarily by boat or ship, so careful planning and maritime experience are important for safely exploring this remote region.

The Devil's Castle mountain near Cape Petersens displays a distinctive reddish rock formation marked by a light diagonal stripe across its face. This striking feature makes the mountain a recognizable landmark in this otherwise difficult-to-distinguish fjord landscape.

Location: Northeast Greenland National Park

GPS coordinates: 73.45000,-25.00000

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:42