Snowshoe hike to frozen Orvvosfossen waterfall, Alta

Walk into the Arctic on snowshoes and stand before a waterfall turned to ice.

A guided snowshoe hike from Alta to the frozen Orvvosfossen waterfall takes 4 hours round-trip, including a 30-minute drive to Gargia Lodge, a 2.25 km trail through snow-covered forest, and a break by the riverbank with warm drinks and snacks. The route has uphill sections and requires moderate fitness. Children are welcome from age 8, and the guide speaks English and Norwegian.

The experience

You start with a 30-minute drive from Alta to Gargia Lodge, where the trail begins. A guide leads you into the Gargia forest on snowshoes, and the path winds through snow-blanketed trees for about 2.25 km. The walk takes roughly 1.5 hours to reach the waterfall, with uphill sections that demand a steady pace but nothing extreme. Along the way, the forest opens onto moments where you might spot local wildlife moving through the winter landscape.

The frozen Orvvosfossen waterfall is the destination: a cascade of water turned solid, its crystalline surface catching the Arctic light. You'll have time to stand in front of it, take in the scale of the thing, and step closer to the ice. On the riverbank nearby, you stop for a break: coffee, tea, and snacks warm you before the walk back down. The whole hike covers 4.5 km round-trip.

Thermal clothing, snowshoes and poles come with the booking, so you don't need to bring your own winter gear. The guide handles the route and the timing, leaving you to focus on the walking and the landscape. Transportation back to Alta is included, so the day ends where it started.

What’s included

• Transportation from Alta to Gargia Lodge and back.
• snowshoes and poles.
• thermal clothing.
• warm coffee and tea.
• snacks at the riverbank break.
• a guide in English or Norwegian.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 7 Mar 2027

Book up to2h before

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

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Norwegian

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.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Æventyr

Is this one for you?The drive to Gargia Lodge and back is included, so you don't need a rental car or local transport. Book this if you're staying in Alta without wheels and want to reach the frozen waterfall on foot.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Norwegian.

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.

How fit do I need to be for the snowshoe hike to Orvvosfossen?

Moderate fitness is recommended because the trail has uphill sections, though the pace is steady and the distance is short: about 2.25 km each way. The walk takes roughly 1.5 hours to reach the waterfall.

What's included in the snowshoe adventure from Alta?

Transportation to and from Gargia Lodge, snowshoes and poles, thermal clothing, and warm drinks and snacks at the riverbank break are all included. The guide leads the route in English or Norwegian.

What is the frozen Orvvosfossen waterfall actually like in winter?

The waterfall becomes a solid cascade of ice, its water crystallized by the Arctic cold. The sight is the payoff of the hike: a natural formation that only exists in the frozen months.

How long is the whole experience from start to finish?

The activity takes 4 hours total: 30 minutes driving to the lodge, roughly 1.5 hours hiking to the waterfall, a break at the riverbank, and 1.5 hours hiking back, plus the return drive to Alta.