LYNGEN ALPS FJORDS
The towering peaks of the Lyngen Alps jut straight out of the sea, forming one of the most spectacular mountain ranges in the world. Along the folded coastline, fjords, valleys, bays, and glaciers burst with the geological and biological wonders of the Arctic. Winter or summer, you’ll find amazing natural places to see and explore.
Where
East of the city of Tromsø in northeastern Troms county, Norway
What to Do
Hiking, mountaineering, kayaking, boating, mountain biking, fishing, ski and snowboard touring, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, snowmobiling, ice climbing, wildlife viewing, night sky watching
When to Go
Activities abound in the Lyngen Alps all year, so what you want to do will dictate when to go. Between November and April, temperatures are usually below freezing. Spring and fall are cool, about 42°F, and summers warm up to around 54°F.
Don’t Miss
Go backcountry skiing or snowboarding and tour from sea to summit to sea. Many favorite routes allow for access by boat so you’ll also enjoy a beautiful excursion through the fjords. Add to that consistently good snow conditions and steep descents, and you’ve got a backcountry experience like no other.
Summit one of the Lyngen Peninsula’s 124 peaks over 1000 meters (3280 feet) on foot in the summertime and enjoy an exhilarating view of the fjords from your place in the clouds. At 1,833 meters (6,014 feet), Jiekkevarre is the area’s highest summit.
Explore the Steindal Glacier in Storfjord (or one of the other 140 glaciers on the Lyngen Peninsula). The glacier has stood as sentinel above the Steindalen Valley for over 8,000 years. If you’ve never walked on a glacier, be safe and hire a guide.
Spot a reindeer or sea eagle. The valleys and forest areas of the fjords host a rich fauna and flora. Several owl species nest here, along with moose, wolverines, lynx, and mink. In the water, you may see whales, otters, and seals.
The Lyngenfjord area offers a plethora of mountain biking experiences. Take the ferry from Olderdalen to the scenic trails in Lyngseidet, or catch the bike shuttle in Kåfjorddalen Valley for a descent from 2300 feet above sea level. In August, check out the singletrack festival, Skibotn Stifestival.
View the northern lights or the midnight sun. Walk out to Lyngstuva, the outermost point of the Lyngen Peninsula, for panoramic views of the surrounding fjords and islands. It’s a perfect spot to enjoy the midnight sun or the northern lights—the bivrost, as the Vikings called them.
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Stay at the Rornes Hut above the town of Lyngseidet. This quaint cabin built by locals allows for overnight or rest-stop use during your tours through the area. Rornes Hut has a phenomenal view of Lyngseidet and the fjord below.
Sleep under the aurora borealis in a glass igloo with a 360 degree view of the landscape and sky in Spåkenes.
Reduce your impact. Norway has labeled Lyngenfjord a sustainable destination, a seal of approval given to destinations that work systematically to reduce the negative environmental impact of tourism.
Stop in Årøybukt for a visit to the world’s northernmost whisky distillery, the Aurora Spirit Distillery. Here you can raise a glass surrounded by the Lyngen Alps, nearby fjords, and the northern lights.
Take a side trip to the Gorza Gorge Bridge. The bridge crosses a sheer canyon that reaches almost 2000 feet deep in places as it guides the Guolasjohka River to the sea. The bridge provides amazing views of a 500-foot waterfall, unofficially named Gorzifossen.
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