The Lyngen Alps from Tromsø

The Lyngen Alps stretch across the municipalities of Balsfjord, Lyngen, Storfjord and Tromsø, and their highest point is 1834 metres above sea level. They rise straight out of the Lyngenfjord, a short ferry ride east of Tromsø. In winter the area is known for snowmobile safaris, ski touring on untouched slopes and ice climbing. For a day trip from Tromsø, most visitors either drive with a guide to the fjord or join a snowmobile day at one of the camps.

Getting there

From Tromsø you drive the E8 to Fagernes (20 km) and then the Rv 91 to the quay at Breivikeidet. The ferry to Svensby takes about 20 minutes, and from Svensby it is about 30 minutes to Lyngseidet. A second ferry crosses from Lyngseidet to Olderdalen in about 40 minutes, on the way towards Skjervøy. The Lyngen ferries run all year, and you cannot reserve a place. If you prefer to avoid the ferry, a longer route goes via Oteren and the FV868.

Without a car, the Arctic Route bus runs daily from Tromsø to Breivikeidet from early December to late March, timed with the ferry to Svensby. Snowmobile tours include the bus and the ferry from Prostneset in Tromsø.

Lyngseidet

Lyngseidet is the administrative centre of Lyngen municipality, with just under 800 inhabitants on the Lyngenfjord. Visit Lyngenfjord lists the Steindalsbreen glacier, the lake Blåisvatnet and the lighthouse at Lyngstuva, the northern tip of the peninsula, among the sights in the area, and points to the world’s northernmost whisky distillery, Aurora Spirit, in Lyngen. In winter, snow and darkness limit what you can reach on your own, so check access before you go.

Snowmobiling in the Lyngen Alps

Camp Troll runs full-day snowmobile safaris from Tromsø with about 2.5 hours on the trail in a day of about eight hours. Bus and ferry are included. Its electric snowmobiles are quieter, and drivers need a class B driving licence. Visit Tromsø gives the snowmobile season as generally from the beginning of December to the end of March.

All snowmobile trips from Tromsø, in Lyngen and in the Tamok valley: tromsosnowmobiles.com.

Ski touring and avalanches

Visit Tromsø lists ski touring, ice climbing and walks on the Steindalsbreen glacier among the winter activities around the Lyngenfjord. Snow, ice, fast weather changes and avalanche terrain make routes that are easy in summer much more demanding in winter. Check the avalanche forecast, observations and terrain maps on varsom.no before you go, or go with a guide.

When to go

In the polar night the light on the mountains lasts only a few hours around midday. From February there is daylight on the peaks for most of the trip. Plan a buffer for the ferry, and check the road reports before you leave, especially if you drive yourself: see driving in winter. Our overview of day trips from Tromsø compares Lyngen with the shorter trips.