Mountain hikes - brief descriptions of hikes

THE CABLE CAR AND FLØYA

The most easily accessible and possibly one of the best shorter walks is right over the Tromsø Bridge. You can, of course, ”cheat” and take the cable car to the top, but real hikers always climb up on the left-hand side of the cable car. Follow the road that goes downwards from the cable car. Turn right at the first intersection and follow this road until it becomes a path. Follow the path until you come to a little hill after around 1km. The path forks here: you can continue straight ahead or turn to the left and follow the path to Storsteinen. After 30 minutes’ walking, you are at the cable car. Be careful if there is still snow at the top. You can continue up to Fløya, the first and most pronounced peak. The view from here is fantastic. If you have time, continue towards Bønntuva, the next peak, then start descending in a curve on the left-hand side and return on the path that follows the southern heights over Tromsdalen.  (Map: Tromsø, 1534 III).

TROMSDALSTINDEN

Tromsdalstind is the highest peak that can be seen from the town centre. It is an impressive sight, rising in total to 1238 metres above sea level. There are several routes to the summit.

Winterroute 1: Take the Fjellheisen (cable car) and head towards Fløya. Carry on to Bøntuva, then down to the tractor road that leads up from Tromsdalen. Follow the route over to Raudryggen, Salen before the last steep climb to the summit itself. This trip is an ideal winter ski tour.

Winterroute 2: From Tromsdalen (Turistveien) take the tractor road that takes you into the valley, until about 300 metres elevation. Take a sharp right, and pass east of point 422. NB! There is a sheer drop at point 422 - don't get too close in windy or bad weather. After passing point 422, take a more south-westerly direction, and you should head for a lodge or cabin by a small lake (Litlevatn). Here you meet the route that comes up from the Fjelheisen (cable car)

Summerroute:Follow the tractor road that leads from the end of Turistveien in Tromsdalen. At around 180 metres elevation, there is a path that crosses the river (Tromsdalselva). Follow the path along, passing a cabin, until you reach the treeline. At 520 metres elevation, the path splits - follow the right-hand path up to the north-east ridge of Tromsdalstind, up to the summit. At the top there is a fantastic view over the town and the surrounding islands. To the east you can see the Lyngen Alps in the distance.

JOHANFJELLET - TØNSVIKDALEN - MOVIKA

On fine sunny days, a lot of people use the prepared tracks in the Skittenelv-Tønsvik area. Not far way from the beaten track, there are fantastic skiiing aeas that you can have more or less for yourself! Here is a typical example.This trip is about 25 km.

Start at Skittenelv school, follow the prepared track for about 1.5 km, until you reach a large flat area. The peak, Johanfjellet (476 metres above sea level) is right in front of you, to the south. You can either head straight for the top, or carry on along the normal track for about another kilometer before turning south-west, following a shallow ridge to the top.

At the top (after putting on more suncream, of course.....) - take the route along to Snyfjellet, in a direct course toward Tromsdalstind. After a while you ski down to the west side of Nordre Holmvatn, along to the west side of point 409, then east of Søndre Holmvatn and then over Snyfjellvatn. Next stage - down to Tønsvika, taking a sighting point on the radio mast at Tønsnesåsen. The river (Tønsvikelva) is easiest to cross at the west bend (otherwise the banks are quite steep) - carry on towards Movikvatnet and then down to Movika.

There are a number of variations on this tour. Use Vågnes as the starting point, for example, and follow the valley to Bakvatnet. Carry on to the southern tip of Reinvatna, and then southwards along the flat section, until the dense tree growth forces you to climb upwards. After this there is around 2 km to go to reach Nordre Holmevatn.

At Tønsvikdalen, it is possible to take a route over to the Hiking Association cabin, known as "Blåkollkoia" (try pronouncing that...). The cabin is on the west side of Tønsvikelva, about 3km above the river's westernmost bend. There is a bridge to take you over the river to the cabin.

NONSTIND - FINNHEIMFJELLET

The Hiking Association's cabin "Nonsbu" is an excellent starting point for mountain walks between Skitnelvdalen and Breivikeidet. Nonstind (1111 metres above sea level) and Finnheimfjellet (1148 metres above sea level) are two such mountains.

In both summer and winter, the easiest way to reach the top of Nonstind is to go up the valley to the south of the peak itself. South-west of the top, you reach an "amphitheatre" at ca. 700 metres elevation. From there you take a route to the west, along the main ridge, which is followed to the summit. In winter, take the same route down again.
In summer, you can follow the ridge to the southwest to Finnheimfjellet. The twin "humps" are easy to get over (you walk over the northernmost of them, and pass along the the south-west edge of the southernmost "hump") Use the winter route (see below) to return to Nonsbu.

In summer it is also possible to follow the ridge northwards from Nonstind to Trollvassnova. In a few places this ridge is difficult and for experienced walkers only.

In winter there is a marked route along a wide "shelf" along the west side of the mountain. This goes all the way from the bottom of the valley right up to the top. The climb is even and shallow all the way - great skiing on the way back down again!

NORDTIND

Nordtinden is an easy walk, in summer or winter. The peak is at 640 metres over sea level.

There is a tractor road leading from Skulsfjorden to Kvaløyvåg. Follow this road to it's highest point (where there is a view over to Skulsfjordvatnet). Turn and head to the west. The first few hundred metres are quite steep, this gradually decreases further on. Follow the ridge to the top. In the winter there are long stretches of good easy downhill skiing.

One can also begin the walk at Kvaløyvågen, following the tractor road from there. Otherwise the route is the same as above. It is also possible to make a round trip by heading to Kvanntotinden, then following the ridge back to Kvaløyvåg.

KVALØYVÅG - FINNVIKDALEN

The ski trip from Kvaløyvågen to Finnvikdalen is a real classic! The number of people taking this route has declined during the last few years, possibly due to impractical public transport routes (something for us at the Tourist Office to take up with the bus company maybe......) The tour is just about 20 km, with almost no steep sections.

Start at Kvaløyvågen, and follow the tractor road to Skulsfjordvatnet, which you then cross. Follow the valley dale between Middagsfjellet and Durmålsfjellet (you can cross either side of Storhaugen). On reaching the point where you can look down into Jodalen, turn south and follow the mountain side to the bottom of the valley. Turn more to the east,and follow the marked ridge. The next part is easy, with large flat open areas and shallow downhill sections, down to Finnvikdalen.

If you have energy to spare, you can carry on to Kvaløysletta. The trail is usually already marked by previous skiers, and the last part is the prepared track.
Another route to Kvaløysletta is via Kjølen - this is a more demanding route. At the top of Finnvikdalen, take the (probably already used) trail to Rasmusbakktuva, around to Sørtind. Cross the road at Finnvikvatnet, and take the normal route to Kjølen (this is a popular tour - the trail will very probably have been well used by other skiers). 

STEINSKARTIND

Steinskardtinden doesn't impress too much really, due to it's taller neighbours - but with a height of 817 metres it's a fine walk, both in summer and in winter.

Start at the highest point in Kattfjordeidet (just after coming up from Henrikvik). Head south over the flat wetlands, then up a slightly steep fellside until you reach a plateau. in the summer, carry on upwards along the north-west side of the mountain. In winter it is advisable to go upward through a cleft, towards the smaller mountain tarns (lakes) to the west of Litlefjell. From there follow the ridge to the southwest for a short distance, before coming to a flat section on the north side of the mountain. Take a diagonal route along this flat section, until you reach a small dale. after this there is a shallow climb to the top.

From the top, follow the mountain ridge towards the south-west to Straumsaksla. in the summer months, it is easy to go down to the west end of Kattfjordvatnet. In the winter this can be too steep for most - turn southwards and take the route to Ramfløydalen (lots of sheltered rest-points along the way!), and end up on the south side of Straumsaksla.

SKORELVFJELLET - (MJELDSKARTINDEN) - SYNNØVJORTINDEN

This is a fine walk in the autumn, after the horse flies and other flying pests have given up.....
If you take in the Nattmålstuva - Mjeldskardtind route as well, this is a fairly demanding trip.

Start behind the gravel hills furthest in Kattfjord, then follow an open grassy fellside south-west to the plateau at ca. 300 metres elevation. Turn directly south, and then climb to the top of  Skorelvfjellet (562 metres above sea level). Follow the ridge continuing southward to point 764.

Nattmålstuva (952 metres above sea level) rises temptingly in the west. The climb sis easy enough (despite som loose rocks in some places). At the top you'll discover a knife-sharp ridge that leads over to Mjeldskardtind. It is possible to pass along this rifdge - as long as you're not afraid of heights....

From point 764, we head back toward the west side of Skorelvvatnet, over Synnøvjordtinden. To avoid the worst of the loose rocks, go first southwards to the lowest point. From there take the reindeer-path westwards. After this, walk along the ridge to Synnøvjordtinden. This ridge is easy enough to follow (not as pointed as the map might indicate). From the top, walk down to the north end of Skorelvvatnet, and then around the western side of Skorelvfjellet - finally following the same route down as the one used to come up.

BRENSHOLMEN

During the spring months the snow can still be several metres deep on the mainland, while on Kvaløya the grass is beginning to peep out from under gradually thinning mush. One of the first mountain areas to be snow-free is Kvitfjellet, east of Brennsholmen.

On an (ideal) afternoon with clear skies and potential for midnight sun, head out to Brensholmen. If travelling by car. park at the rest area by Storvatnet at Brensholmeidet (the small lake with a kind of "doll's house island") walk along the south side of this lake until you reach the place where it can be crossed at a small land "pier". Continue further to Skålvatnet, and follow the overhead telephone lines northwards for about 400 metres from the lakes's north end. Then turn east, and climb up the steep slope. Follow the ridge for a distance, before turning once more northwards, heading for Bjørndalsvatnet. ( Or cross the small valley if late-thawing snow drifts block the way to the ridge). Head northwards, past Durmålsvatnet and Elvedalsvatnet towards Brattfjellvatnet - look for Håja and the other islands, hopefully bathed in the rays of the midnight sun. From Brattfjellvatnet, walk down to the new road that runs between Brensholmen and Sandneshamn.

Another, longer route (best later in the season when all the snow has thawed) starts in the same manner - but instead of walking along the lakes, head for the top of Kvitfjell and carry on northwards, over Brattfjell to Lakstinden. walk down along the east side of Lakstinden until you meet the road at Otervika

Tip: Take your waterproof leggings/galoshes - you'd be amazed how long some snow patches last!

GRÅTINDEN

At the Kvitberg farm, about two kilometres from Straumsbukta, a path goes up to the radio link station. In summer and winter, it is easy to follow the path to the station, which is at approx. 500 metres above sea level.

From this point a shaloow climb up a wide ridge leads northwestwards up to Gråtinden (871metres above sea level). The last few metres are steep, but not impossibly so (in summer in any case). It's possible to follow this ridge northwards to Nattmålstuva, but this route is steep and difficult to walk along in places.

In summer the best way back again is along the ridge directly southwards. From point 707 head due east, cross the valley and head for the radio link station again. Follow the path down to Kvitberg farm again.

OMRÅDET TROMVIK - REKVIK

Many visitors (and locals!) take a car ride to the outer side of Kvaløya to see the stark coastal nature, craggy fells and open sea, all mixed together with (midnight) sun and blue skies. This experience can be enhanced by parking the car and going on foot.

The walk to Tromtind (636 metres above sea level) starts a few hundres metres from the road crossing in Tromvika. Head westwards over the flat wetlands, to the wooded slopes and through Nordskaret. At the highest point in Nordskaret take a diagonal line up the mountain side until you reach about 450 metres elevation. Follow the edge of the steep drop up to Aksla, coming around the south side of Tromtinden, approaching the top from the east. Fantastic, endless views! The return route is simple - back down the same way.

At the road's highest point (just before it starts on it's twisting way down to Rekvik) is Brosmetind (525 metres above sea level) in the north east. Seen from the road, it doesn't look much like a peak at all, more like a rounded hillock. This "hillock" is suddenly cut down the middle where it meets the sea, with steep cliffs and rocky outcrops. From the road you can reach the top in around an hour.

Just south of Brosmetind is Sørtinden (724 metres above sea level). There is a slightly steep ridge up to the top - although it is even and easily transversed, and easy to follow. There is an excellent view from the top.

This area thaws early (apart from a short section at Nordskaret) and is recommended if you want to walk on bare ground, while the snow is still metres deep on the mountains.

This area also has more demanding walks on offer; From the road's highest point you can see Storstolpan in the south east, and the outermost and highest peak (974 metres above sea level.) looks really impessive. In both summer and winter you can reach the top of this peak by passing point 493 and then down to the tarn at point 341, and then upwards on the steep mountain slope. The terrain is difficult, so the best thing to do in summer is to keep to the slope on the east side of the tarn. Just before the top there is a high, almost vertical wall. Look carefully, and you'll find an aea with narrow clefts and passages where it's possible to reach the top. At the top itself there is ample room, even for a whole tour group.

Where the road ends at Rekvik it is posible to walk up Skamtinden (883 metres above sea level). Most of the upward route is along a steep ridge. Lower down there is loose stone and lichen/grass, further up there are more rocks. Just before the top, cross the rocky part and finally you'll each an area where both fingers and knees need to be used to finally reach the top!

KRÅKTIND - KÅRVIKVATNET - SIMAVIK

This is intended to be a winter tour, which takes you through varied terrain. Distance about 25 km. The climb from the starting point and up to Kråktind is just about 500 metres, while the climb from Kårvikvatnet to Makfjellet is about 400 metres.

This trip starts at the highest point at Skarsfjordeidet (between Ytre Kårvik and Skarsfjord. Head directly east, and follow the shallow river valley southeastwards until you have Kråktind in your sights, right in front of you. Turn slightly north via the small tarns on Snøfjellryggen, and follow the ridge southwestwards up to the top of Kråktind. There is an excellent view southwards over Gisundet.

With your back to Gisundet, head northwards. Change course after a while to directly eastwards, such that you pass between two points: Point 540 (Sløyktind) and 561. Head for the south end of Kårvikvatnet.

After a weel-earned rest by the lake, start the upward climb to Makfjellet. It is a good idea to head towards the valley head at Kårvikdalen first, before turning south up to the fell ridge. Downwards from Makfjellet is on shallow slopes to Tennvatnet. From here turn southwards, parallel with Kvalsundet. After about 1 km, there is a fairly steep slope to go down before turning away from Kvalsundet, throught the trees and down into the valley. The rest is an easy tour to Simavik.

It is posible to shorten this trip by heading down Kårvikdalen (there are often snowmobile tracks to follow). f you don't want to go over Makfjellet, it is possible to follow the Hiking Association marked trail from Simavikeidet over Øvre and Nedre Langvatn to Simavikdalen. Another diversion is a trip to the association's cabin called "Ringvassbu" at the north end of the largest Langryggvatnet. The cabin is locked, a key is available. Contact the local Association representative for more details.

BREiTIND AREA
The Breidtind area has great potential, and is under-used. There are summer and winter hikes, with many different variations.

For example: Start at Nordhella, a couple of hundred metres past the tunnel. Walk up the wooded area past Hellevatnet, following the area west of Gaddevikfjellet. Take the diagonal route across the mountain side to Blåtindvantnan and then on to Tverrelvaksla. The rest of the way up to the top of Breidtind is straightforward.

Anther example: Start at Simavik - in the summer follow the pipeline along the east side of the river to Damvatnet and then carry on up to Tverrelvaksla. In the winter it is best to follow the Hiking Association's marked trail for approx 2 km before turning south and then fighting (!) your way throught the wooded area up to Tverrelvaksla.

From Breidtind it is possible to follow the ridge north, heading for Simavikryggen - but be aware that the highest point on Simavikryggen (point 758) is more difficult to reach than the map indicates.

SVARTEVASSTIND

Svartevasstinden (also known as Nonsdagstind) ids the peak that dominates the skyline, west for Skogsfjordvatnet. It is fairly easy to reach the top in summer and in winter, but it is neccessary to walk/ski for a while before the actual climb begins.

In winter head for Kårvikdalen, passing Kårvikvatnet. Put the locks on your skis and head upwards on the fellside until you reach the top! Telemark-enthusiasts can really enjoy the return journey to Kårvikvatnet. This tour is approx. 25 km. Easy terrain both in winter and in summer.

In the summer it is possible to start from the valley floor at Skarsfjorden and follow the path to Nordkjosvatna. Continue along the south side of the lakes, passing the north side of Svartevatnet, heading for Leonard-dalen. Continue along this dale - turn westwards and you will meet a ridge that brings you up to the top. This route is a couple of km. shorter than the route up via Kårvikdalen, but has steeper parts and more rocky areas.

STORE SKALLTIND

The western side of Ringvassøya is craggy and wild., with deep cut valleys in between. Store Skalltind (903 metres above sea level) is just one of many crags. This trip is summer only - it is not recommended in winter due to steep slopes and narrow ridges.

Starting point is Glimvatnet. Follow the path along the lake's west side for about 1 km. Continue through the wooded area (a bit uneven in places) until you are above the treeline. Follow the ridge until you reach the lowest of the tarns at Skallvatnan. Crossing the stream, follow the ridge upwards again on the west side of the tarns. Follow this ridge the whole way, even though in places it is fairly narrow (the alternative is unstable rocky ground)- it will lead you directly to the top.

From Store Skalltind it is possible to follow a (fairly rocky) ridge northwestwards that will bring you down into Botndalen, and then on to Skogsfjordvatnet. From there it is an easy walk to a road at Grønliskardet. From Botndalen it is also possible to walk over to Stabbdalen (cross the river just before the tarn/lake at point 191) and then along the west side of Stabbvatnan along the marked path over Grønlifjellet to Grønliskardet.