Here you will find mountain peaks rising more than 1,000 metres directly from the fjord, blue glaciers, cascading rivers, gleaming mountain lakes and deep ravines.

These unique and untouched alpine mountains lie on a peninsula and are popular among experienced mountain climbers and extreme skiers, and provide stunning scenery against the blue fjords. Unlike the more southerly Alpine regions of Europe, snow conditions here are colder and often it is possible to start skiing from sea level, skinning all the way to a summit before an exhilarating and peaceful descent back to the sea.

Thankfully, there are also gently sloping hills ideal for hiking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding and dog sledging. You can also go fishing in fjords, lakes and rivers teeming with fish.

In this region, over 300 kilometres inside the Arctic Circle, there are also incredible natural phenomena to experience depending on the time of the year you visit – from northern lights to midnight sun.

Most popular routes

The trip up Storgalten (1,219 metres above sea level) is popular both summer and winter. However, the route is not marked and you should be an experienced skier if you plan to take this trip during winter.

For those seeking easy walking and biking in majestic surroundings, you should check out the trip between Svensby and Lake Jægervatn. Another relatively easy hike is the route through the valleys of Stortinddalen, Russedalen and Fastdalen.

Flora and fauna

In the valleys and deciduous forests there are many interesting birds, for example different birds of prey. The same area is also the home of reindeer during the summer, and elk, wolverines and lynx all year-round.

You can catch cod, coalfish, wolf fish and haddock in the fjord. In the mountain lakes you can catch trout and char. Good areas for fresh water fishing are found around Lake Jægervatn.

In many parts you can find a rich flora with flowers such as carnations.

Accommodation

There is not much accommodation to choose from in Lyngsalpene. Your best bet is to stay in the small towns of Svensby, Lyngseidet (the municipality), Nord-Lenangen, Koppangen and Furuflaten.

For a truly different experience try “skiing by boat”. Skiers sleep on board a boat, getting off every morning at the base of a fjord to hike up the mountain and ski down it, with luck, in glorious powder, to the next pick-up point. The local tourist information offices can provide more information about “skiing by boat”.

The Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) maintains a handful of unstaffed mountain cabins/lodges in the area.

You can also stay in the city of Tromsø, which offers a wide range of accommodation options. In Tromsø and Storfjord you will find youth hostels (only open during the summer months).

Most places that offer accommodation also serve food.

Camping

If you plan to sleep in a tent, caravan or mobile home you may do so anywhere, except in cultivated fields and lay-bys. You can stay for as long as you wish, as long as your tent, caravan or mobile home is no closer than 150 metres to the nearest house or cabin.

Maps

Detailed maps of the area can be bought at DNT, local bookshops or the tourist information office.

Getting to Lyngsalpene

Lyngsalpene lies approximately 2,000 kilometres north of Oslo. The easiest way of getting to Lyngsalpene is to fly to Tromsø. There are several departures with SAS and Norwegian every day. Flight time from Oslo is approximately two hours. Please see details regarding travel from Tromsø to Lyngen below.

From Tromsø

Lyngen lies about 60 kilometres west of Tromsø.

• By bus:
  There is a bus connection from Tromsø to the Lyngen peninsula two to three times a day. However, local bus transportation is limited once on the peninsula.
• By car:
  If you are heading for the northern part of the peninsula the fastest way is to drive to Brevikeidet and catch the ferry across Ullsfjord to Svensby on the western side of Lyngen. This trip takes one hour.
  From Svensby you either head north towards Nord-Lenangen (approximately 45 minutes) or east towards Lyngseidet (approximately 30 minutes). For ferry timetables, please contact Bjørklid Ferjerederi.
  If you are heading for the southern part of the peninsula your best option is to follow the E 8 to Nordkjosbotn and then take E 6 to Oteren. When you reach Oteren, Lyngsalpene are on your left hand side and you turn left towards Lyngseidet. The trip takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, and another 30 minutes to Lyngseidet.
• By express boat:
  Hurtigruten (the Norwegian Coastal Express) between Tromsø and Skjervøy stops at Nord-Lenangen three days a week. From Nord-Lenangen you can drive or catch a bus to Lyngsalpene. However, we would like to remind you that local bus transportation is limited.