About Troms
Hiking in Troms gives you the option of combing shorter and longer mountain hikes offering views of the sea or fjords in virtually every direction. You can also go on hikes of varying lengths in the genuine wilderness in Inner Troms. Most hikes may be combined with fishing in the sea, fjord, rivers or idyllic mountain lakes. The national hiking association and Troms hiking association have many well equipped cabins.
Troms has three national parks: Reisa, Øvre Dividal and Ånderdalen. In addition, there is the Lyngen Landscape Protected Area. These areas cover varied nature including rivers, inland areas, forests, mountain plains, coastal areas and high alpine mountains.
Tour suggestions:
1. The Senja Island
Hiking the length of the Senja island (the full length of Senja from north to south) is a beautiful coastal route. Senja is Norway’s second largest island, and is connected to the mainland via a bridge to the town of Finnsnes in Central Troms. This somewhat demanding hiking route is around
70 kilometres and passes through all four of Senja's municipalities and Ånderdalen National Park. The terrain is hilly, but the views are spectacular and the variation of terrain is exciting. It's natural to spread the hike over
four days. Accommodation options along the route are the hiking association's
cabins (you need to arrange a key in advance),
turf huts or a tent.
It is also possible to walk each of the four stages as stand alone day hikes since the trail has several possible access routes. The normal starting point for the full trail is north-west of the power station at the Helvetesfossen Waterfall in Lenvik Municipality or the Svarthola Tunnel, which is slightly further north. This gives you the option of climbing the island's highest mountain, Breitind, which is around 1000 metres above sea level. The trail ends in the south by Olaheimen in Tranøy Municipality. If you give the detour up Bretind a miss, the highest point is around 850 metres above sea level. The trail passes through mountain beech forests and coastal pine forests in the national park. Several good fishing lakes are scattered along the route, where you may fish for species including trout.
When you reach the route's largest lake, Åndervatnet, you may choose to end the hike by walking six kilometres on the well-marked trail to Tranøybotn, where you will find good accommodation and parking options linked to the national park. As such, Tranøybotn is an ideal starting point for hiking in the national park. The short hike into Åndervatnet is suitable for children and older people who are not so keen on climbing. The Senja trail is partially marked with cairns and the hiking association's red T markers. Improvements to sign-posting and marking are planned.
Apart from the Senja trail, Senja offers many wonderful day hikes up mountains for spectacular views of the surrounding fjords and mountains. Several accommodation establishments serve as ideal starting points for these day hikes. Several wonderful day hikes are situated along the National Tourist Route along the island's northern coast from Gryllefjord to Botnhamn, which also includes three detours. The hiking season in Senja normally runs from mid-June to the end of September, with the best period starting in mid-July.
- Information: A hiking map of Senja is on sale at the tourist information office in Finnsnes, where you can also get other necessary information about hiking routes and accommodation options. See visittroms.no or call +47 77 85 07 30.
- How to get there: The quickest way from overseas is to fly to Gardermoen/Oslo and continue on a domestic flight to Tromsø (1 hour 50 minutes) or Bardufoss (1 hour 40 minutes). You may travel from Tromsø to Finnsnes by express boat (1 hour 10 minutes) or bus and continue from Finnsnes by local bus (Senja Rutebil). If you are planning several day hikes on the island then renting a car is a better option. If you arrive in Bardufoss, you may take the airport express bus from Snowman International Airport to Finnsnes (45 minutes) and then continue by local bus or rental car. If you drive the whole way northwards, just follow the main E6 highway to Bardufoss then turn off to Senja.
2. Istind in Målselv – summit ascent
This is a wonderful hike to the peak of Istind (1425 metres above sea level). Istind is regarded as a landmark in Målselv, which you will see if you fly into Bardufoss. The trail starts at an altitude of about 70 metres above sea level and ends at the peak (1425 metres above sea level) with climbing virtually the entire way. The trail is marked and to begin with follows a stream, which can be refreshing when you are climbing up. The last stretch follows a rock wall with a fantastic glacier on your left. This is regarded as a medium to demanding hike. You should allow about three hours up and almost as long again for the descent. The season runs from mid-June to the end of September (depending on the extent of the winter snowfall).
- Information: Finnsnes Tourist Information Office, phone +47 77 85 07 30
- How to get there: Fly to Bardufoss (Snowman International Airport) then drive by rental car to Fjellstad, which is about 15 kilometres from the airport. If you are driving southwards on the main E6 highway, continue to the Elverum intersection then turn left in the direction of Rundhaug then the next right (Fjellstad) and continue for around three kilometres. There is a car park and an information board detailing the hike. If you are driving northwards on the E6 highway, turn right when you reach the Elverum intersection.
3. Reisadalen and Reisa National Park in Nordreisa
The Reisadalen valley is nearly 50 kilometres long and contains the Reisa River noted for its good salmon fishing. Saraelv, which is the entrance to the Reisa National Park, is located at the end of the road. It is the starting point for the trail, which is part of the North Cap Path, which carries on to Kautokeino in Finnmark to the north, and Northern Sweden to the south. It also goes into Finland via Kilpisjärvi.
The trail alongside the river can be a little tough because of the stones. After around 12 kilometres, you will reach the resting place at Sieimmahytta where the national park starts. You can camp in a tent or cabin on the other side of the river, which you may cross using the boat here. After hiking for around four hours, you can see the spectacular Mollisfossen Waterfall on the other side of the river, which plunges 269 metres from the mountainside.
If you continue on the trail, you will reach the Imofossen Waterfall, a further four hours later. With its large canyon, this waterfall is even more impressive than Mollisfossen. Around an hour before Imofossen, you will find the only Troms hiking association cabin in this area called Nedrefosshytta. This four-bedroom cabin sleeping 16 is an ideal base for other day hikes in the area. If you want to return to Saraelv by canoe, this stretch of the Reisa River is ideal for beginners and canoes are available for hire. The season runs from mid-June to the end of September.
3. Kippernes recreation area – the children's nature park
Kippernes Recreation Area is a public recreation reserve near Storslett in Nordreisa at the mouth of the Reisa River. The area is suitable for activities for the entire family. A network of trails and roads has been established in the area, dating from the time when this was a harbour and market place for the people of the Northern Cap. Today the trails and roads are used for hiking, horse riding, cycling, jogging and other outdoor activities. During spring and autumn, the continuation of Kippernes provides excellent opportunities for bird watching. On warm summer days, the sandy beach in the lower reaches of the area is used as a swimming spot. You can find prepared cross-country skiing trails here in winter.
A loop walk on the area's main trails is around four kilometres, but shorter and longer hikes are also possible. For the most part, the terrain here is flat and the trails are clear although they are not marked. Nature-based experiences to suit all ages and levels of fitness are available at Kippernes.
Nordreisa Municipal Council is planning improvements to the roads and trails in the summer and autumn of 2009 to make the area accessible also for wheelchair users. Other planned improvements include sign posting, information, rest place and improved toilet and changing facilities. These improvements will enhance experiences in the area without detracting from the reserve’s special character.
- Directions: Park you car in Storslett and walk about 1500 metres along the cycle and walkway beside the E6 highway to the turn off to Kippernes. You can also drive all the way to the recreation area. There is a car park about 250 metres after the turn off where you may park your car and continue on foot.
- Information: Storslett Tourist Information Office (+47 77 77 05 50) and Halti National Park Centre (+47 77 77 05 56) where maps and other necessary information are available
- How to get there: The quickest way from overseas is to fly to Gardermoen/Oslo, continue on a domestic flight to Tromsø and then take the short flight to Sørkjosen in Nordreisa (25 minutes). You may also travel by bus from Tromsø to Storslett in Nordreisa – there are three daily departures to Alta in Finnmark. The bus trip from Tromsø to Storslett takes around three hours and includes two ferry crossings (20 min and 35 min respectively). This journey also provides an excellent opportunity to see the majestic Lyngen Alps from close range. When you reach Storslett, you will need a rental car or taxi to get all the way out to Saraelv.
4. Description of maountain walks - Destination Harstad
- Distance: approximately 15 kilometres there and back.
- Estimated time to the top: Four to five hours
- Suitable for: The physical fit. The last part to the top is a little demanding.
- Start and finish: Go south from Harstad, past Tjeldsund Bridge and towards Lødingen. Park at Sandtorg sportsground (signposted in Årbogen).
Necessary equipment: None, but good shoes are recommended due to rocky parts at the end.
- Map: Walking map of Vesterålen-Hinnøya
- Marked trail: No. Good path. Visible peak from starting point.
- Drinking water: Intermittent before the final ascent to the top.
- Route description: Follow path/road through the gate from the football pitch. Alternatively, you can follow the path on the west side of Årbogelva. Continue from the lake a short distance south to the ridge, where you will find a cabin. From here, follow the posts to the top. Follow the same route going back. If you descend along the road on the north side of the river, make sure that you continue straight on where the paths meet on the plain close to the sportsground. If you don’t, you will end up on the north side of the river and have to follow the road all the way down to the E-10 road and then head south and back up again to the sportsground.
- Further info/map: Harstad Tourist Office, tel + 47 77 01 89 89.