Snowshoeing in Tromsø: Walk Arctic valleys with a guide
Walk on snow without fighting it: snowshoes let you cover ground and breathe
You're picked up at your hotel, driven to the Arctic countryside west of Tromsø, and spend the morning walking uphill through mountains and valleys on snowshoes or on foot, depending on conditions. Lunch and hot drinks come at the summit, photos are taken and sent to you free, and the guide handles all the gear. Plan for a moderate hike with real elevation and a steady pace. This is not a stroll, and you'll feel it in your legs the next day.
Step-by-step itinerary
Snowshoeing and hiking in Tromso countryside
- Start from Tromso city center
- Drive to west coast countryside
- Put on snowshoes if snowy
- Hike up small mountain or valley
- View wildlife and Arctic nature
- Reach summit and have lunch
- Guide takes and shares photos
What’s included
Hotel pickup at the Scandic Ishavhotel and drop-off in Tromsø city center, snowshoes and hiking poles, a guide who speaks English, lunch and hot coffee or tea at the summit, souvenir photos in web resolution sent by email after the tour, and all taxes and fees. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meal options are available if you request them at booking.
Times
- Every day 10:00
Before you book
Operated by Wandering Owl
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The experience
"You will see reindeer tracks, maybe the animals themselves if we are lucky, but the snow, the light, that is what stays with you." That's what the guide tells you before you leave the hotel, and it turns out to be exactly right. The snowshoe hike from Tromsø starts at 10am from the Scandic Ishavhotel, and the drive west takes you out of the city fast, into the kind of landscape that does not photograph the way it looks. Mountains rise on both sides, fjords cut between them, and the valleys open up in a way that makes you understand why people live here despite the cold. The group stays small, no more than eight, which means you move at a real pace, not a shuffle.
Once you're out in the countryside, the walk depends on what the snow is doing. In October and November, before the deep freeze, you hike without snowshoes through the colored landscape: reds and golds still holding on. By winter, the snowshoes come out, and they change everything. They're not hard to use, even if you've never worn them, and the poles help you find your rhythm on the slope. You're climbing a small mountain or following a valley floor, and the guide is pointing out animal tracks, the shape of the ridges, the way the light hits the ice. It's not a race. The pace is steady enough that you can breathe and look around at the same time.
Lunch happens at the summit or at a good stopping point along the walk, and it's hot: coffee or tea, and food that tastes better when you've earned it. The guide takes photos throughout the hike and sends them to you afterward in web resolution, free. If you want the high-resolution files, you can buy them, but the basic set arrives in your inbox within a few days. It's a small thing, but it means you're not fumbling with your phone in gloves, trying to frame a shot while your hands are going numb. You just walk and look, and the pictures come later.
The drive back to Tromsø city center takes the same route in reverse, and by then the light is already changing: that Arctic thing where the sun moves sideways instead of up and down. You'll need to bring water, dress in layers that actually keep warmth in, and wear boots that grip snow. Toilet facilities are in the forest, not in a building, so plan accordingly. The guide speaks English, operates in all weather, and expects you to show up fifteen minutes early so the departure stays on time. If snow is scarce, the hike happens without snowshoes, and it's still the same walk through the same mountains.
Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want a real walk in Arctic nature without arranging transport or gear: the small group size and fixed departure time mean you're moving with purpose, not waiting around. Expect a moderate hike with elevation gain and limited facilities. That's what puts you in the mountains instead of on a marked trail near the city.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 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 time does the tour start and where do I get picked up?
Pickup is at 10am from the Scandic Ishavhotel (Fredrik Langes gate 2, 9008 Tromsø). Arrive 15 minutes early so the guide can depart on time.
Do I need snowshoe experience?
No. Snowshoes and hiking poles are included and provided by the tour. The guide will show you how to use them. If there is little or no snow, the tour is a regular hike without snowshoes.
What's included in the price?
Hotel pickup and drop-off in the city center, snowshoes and poles, guide, lunch, hot coffee or tea, and souvenir photos sent by email in web resolution. Dietary options (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free) are available if you request them when booking.
How long is the hike and how difficult is it?
The tour is a moderate-level hike with real elevation gain. You should have at least moderate cardiovascular fitness. The pace is steady but not rushed, and you'll have time to look around and rest at the summit.
What should I bring and wear?
Wear warm, water-resistant layers and hiking boots or shoes with good grip. Bring an extra layer and a bottle of water (0.5 liters is enough). The tour operates in all weather, so dress for cold and wind.
Are there toilet facilities on the tour?
Toilet facilities are limited. There is a gas station stop during the drive, but at the hiking location itself, facilities are in the forest only. There are no pre-built restrooms. Plan accordingly.
How many people are in the group?
Maximum eight people per tour, which keeps the experience intimate and allows the guide to set a comfortable pace.
What happens if there is no snow?
If there is little or no snow, the tour becomes a regular hiking tour without snowshoes. The route and experience remain the same. You just walk on the ground instead of on snow.
Will I get my photos after the tour?
Yes. The guide takes photos during the hike and sends them to you by email in web resolution at no extra cost. High-resolution files are available for purchase if you want them.
Is this tour suitable for people with health concerns?
The tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health. Service animals are allowed. If you have medical conditions or concerns, mention them when you book so the guide can advise you.
Snowshoeing in Tromsø: Walk Arctic valleys with a guide
4h · EN
from US$ 141 per person
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