Bloody Falls Trail

The Bloody Falls Trail takes you along the rushing Coppermine River and should be undertaken with an experienced Nunavut guide. As its name suggests, the Inuit once mined copper ore in this beautiful river valley. The community of Kugluktuk, which was called Coppermine until just 30 years ago, is 90 percent Inuit and is located on the famous Northwest Passage.

The trail to Bloody Falls begins at the edge of Heart Lake, about 5 kilometres (3 mi) outside the centre of Kugluktuk, the ‘place with rapids’. You’ll follow an old gravel road along the southern shore of Heart Lake, which soon turns into an ATV track.

Beyond S-Lake, you’ll hike over many small bridges and several longer wooden footbridges across streams and through the tundra. Along the way, you’ll be treated to great views of the Coppermine River and enjoy a climate that’s comparatively warm for the Arctic. Musk oxen, caribou, foxes, wolves and even grizzly bears are at home near the tree line here. Hunting has taken place in the area for at least 8,000 years by indigenous peoples.

After around 12 kilometres (7.5 mi), you’ll reach the impressive Bloody Falls. It was given its name after a massacre in 1771, in which members of the Inuit were killed by members of the Chipewyan and Yellowknife, who were part of the British expedition led by the explorer Samuel Hearne. As the Coppermine River is also used by boats, you’ll find a simple camp right by the rapids. If you wish, you can spend a night here before setting off on your return journey.