Nordenskiold Land Hiking Expedition

© Martin Fiala, Amalie Halleland

Difficulty level (out of 5): 

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*Minimum 4 (out of 8) participants must be above 18 years old:

👤👤👤👤 //  👤👤+

• 14.07.2024 - 17.07.2024

✔️Guaranteed departure

• 4 days (3 nights)
• 16 years*

Distance & Elevation: total approx. 60 km distance, 1200 m elevation gain

All participants are used to hiking and carrying their own rucksack. Weight 15-20kg (personal and communal equipment and food for all days). We recommend that you read through our proposed equipment list before departure. There are no trails or bridges, we will be finding our own path over tundra, scree slopes, and rivers.

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We recommend that you read through our proposed equipment list before departure, which you will receive upon confirmed booking.

Price includes:

• Transport round trip
• Food
• Tent
• Sleeping mat
• Guide with necessary safety equipment

Recommend to bring:

• Good, warm and sealed hiking boots
• Warm change of clothes in a dry bag
• Camera
• Binoculars
• Backpack
• Sleeping bag*

​*NOK 600 sleeping bag rental

After booking confirmation, you will receive our complete recommended equipment list for this expedition.

We serve hot meals. Bring your own packed lunches if needed.

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Larger luggage can be stored in our storage or in your accommodation's luggage room.

Extra clothing and equipment: Arctica

Behind the small town of Longyearbyen lies Nordenskiöld Land; a vast expanse of countless glacial valleys, flanked by imposing barren mountains.

The short Arctic summer offers a glimpse into the subtle riches of Svalbard’s tundra - reindeer often graze in the sparse yet diverse vegetation, while large bird colonies in craggy outcrops overlook the fjords. With each passing day, the midnight sun surfs ever closer to the horizon, casting a warm hue over the land.

We will spend 4 days in this great outdoors. With our tents, we will set out on a through-hike winding our way through valleys, along coastlines and over mountain plateaus, making camp in a different place each night. Along the way, we get the chance to encounter local wildlife, as well as come across old cultural remains from Svalbard’s past.

The days and route will be adjusted according to weather and conditions.

Day 1: Preparations & start from Todalen to Fritham

Good planning, nice tour mates, and careful preparation make up half the trip! Therefore, it is important that all participants arrive in Longyearbyen the day before. Your guide will pick you up from your accommodation at 8:00 AM. We'll start by getting to know each other, while the guide checks everyone's gear to make sure we're fully equipped. You'll also receive a detailed briefing on the planned route and an updated weather forecast. After packing and preparing our rucksacks, there will be a chance to visit local outdoor shops for any last-minute needs.

Around noon, we will be dropped off by car at the end of the road in the valley of Todalen. From there, we will hike about 10 km up the valley to a small plateau called Fritham, situated 400 metres above sea level. We will set up our first camp in the early evening, establish camp routines, organise a bear watch schedule, and prepare and enjoy dinner together.

Day 2: Fritham - Bødalen - Colesdalen

Rise and shine for an exciting day! After a hearty breakfast, we'll break down our camp and set off on a 20 km hike down the valley of Bødalen. By lunchtime, the wide open valley of Colesbay will unfold before us. We’ll continue following the valley towards the sea, arriving at an abandoned Russian mining settlement on the shore by late afternoon. We will set up camp nearby, and explore the area after dinner.

Day 3: Colesdalen - Grumantbyen - Grumantdalen

Our journey continues from Colesbay as we follow the old coal railway along the rugged coastline to Grumant, an abandoned mining town nestled between towering bird cliffs. We will then hike up the valley of Grumantdalen to our next camp on a mountain plateau, just below the small glacier of Grumantbreen. Covering around 14 km with a total elevation gain of approximately 600 metres, this day promises to be both challenging and rewarding.

Day 4: Fuglefjella - Bjørndalen - transport back to Longyearbyen

On our final day, we'll traverse the mountain plateau of Fuglefjella, where you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and the Isfjord. As we descend into the valley of Bjørndalen, we cross the valley river, completing another 14 km journey on this day. Our adventure concludes at a coastal road, where we will be picked up and transported back to Longyearbyen, carrying with us beautiful memories.

The length of each day and the activities may change due to weather conditions and the composition of the group. If necessary, the days and the trip can be shortened, or conversely, if time and energy allows, we can make small scenic detours to some small mountains or vistas.