Snowshoe hike Kvaløya: Small group from Tromso

Climb Kvaløya's peaks on snowshoes and photograph the Arctic from above

A small-group snowshoe hike on Kvaløya, 30 minutes from Tromso, where you learn to use snowshoes and hiking poles, then climb to a peak selected daily for weather and snow conditions. The route stays accessible for all fitness levels. At the summit, you warm up with hot drinks and pastries, and the guide shares free photos of the day afterward.

Step-by-step itinerary

Snowshoe hike on Kvaløya island

• Pick up at Tromsø bus terminal
• Drive 30 minutes to Kvaløya
• Attend quick snowshoeing lesson
• Hike to a chosen peak
• Enjoy summit drinks and pastries

The experience

You arrive at Tromso with a free afternoon or an early morning to fill. The hike starts with a 30-minute drive to Kvaløya, the Whale Island, where Northern Norway's most dramatic landscapes rise from the snow. After a quick lesson on how to use snowshoes and hiking poles, both provided, your guide leads you up one of the island's peaks. The mountain changes each day based on weather and snow conditions, so the route stays safe and achievable whether you've never strapped on snowshoes before or you've done it a dozen times.

The hike itself is the point: you feel the crunch of fresh snow underfoot, stop to photograph the views or simply stand in the quiet, and reach a summit where some peaks have a book for visitors to sign. Your guide carries a camera throughout and captures moments you'd miss if you were holding your phone. At the top, before the descent, you drink something hot and eat pastries while the Arctic spreads below you. The guide sends you the full gallery of photos after the tour, free of charge.

The whole outing runs 4 to 5 hours from pickup to return. Transport, snowshoes, hiking poles, boots, hot drinks, pastries, and the photos are all included. Bring waterproof clothing and a sense of the weather. This trip runs in most conditions, so dress for cold and wet. Toilets are not available along the route. You'll be back early enough to join the evening Northern Lights chase if you want to book that too.

What’s included

• Transport from and back to Tromso.
• snowshoes and hiking poles.
• a quick snowshoeing lesson.
• warm drinks and pastries at the summit.
• waterproof snow boots.
• and a full gallery of professionally taken photos from your guide, shared with you free of charge after the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 4 Jan 2027

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (8 to 12 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Chasing Lights

Is this one for you?Small groups stay under a dozen people, so you hike with a handful of others rather than a crowd. The peak is chosen each day to match weather and snow, which means the route stays safe and fun for all fitness levels: first-timers and experienced hikers alike.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 12 years). Children under 8 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Kvaløya and why is it worth the 30-minute drive from Tromso?

Kvaløya, known as the Whale Island, sits 30 minutes from Tromso and holds some of Northern Norway's most dramatic landscapes: steep peaks, deep snow, and views that open across the Arctic. The island is chosen for this hike because the terrain and weather patterns make it ideal for snowshoeing at all levels.

Do I need snowshoeing experience to join this hike?

No. Your guide gives a quick lesson on how to use the snowshoes and hiking poles before you start, and the peak is chosen each day to match conditions and your group's ability. The hike is designed to be accessible whether it's your first time on snowshoes or you've done it before.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my hike?

The guide adjusts or cancels the hike only if conditions become unsafe. Otherwise, the trip runs in most weather: snow, wind, and cold are normal for this time of year. Dress in waterproof, weatherproof layers and the guide will keep you safe and comfortable.

What photos will I get, and when do I receive them?

Your guide photographs the hike throughout the day: the climb, the views, your group at the summit. You receive the full gallery of professionally taken photos after the tour, free of charge, so you can focus on the experience rather than your camera.

Can I do this hike and still catch the Northern Lights tour the same evening?

Yes. This hike returns early enough that you can join the evening Northern Lights chase if you book both. The timing is built in so the two activities fit the same day.