Foxfonna Wilderness Hike

This is the perfect trip to get out of town. Many choose this hike to explore a different area or combine it with other tours.

The adventure begins as we drive into Adventdalen. Already here, your guide will share stories about the remarkable landscape. The mountains are flat-topped with wide plateaus, and the broad valley offers few reference points, making it hard to grasp the scale of the surroundings. We follow an old road up the mountain, built for the last operating coal mine on Svalbard. The higher we get, the more dramatic the view becomes, with endless mountain ranges stretching toward the horizon. In summer, the valley is crisscrossed by braided rivers. In winter, snowmobiles zoom into the vast wilderness.

Soon these valley views will vanish, as we start our hike towards Foxfonna, an ice cap up on Breinosa. We aim for a mountain ridge with sweeping views of the area, a great place to enjoy an outdoor lunch. The goal of this tour is to take in the views and experience the stillness of Arctic nature - something Foxfonna delivers in full. We’ll keep an eye out for Arctic wildlife along the way. 

If time allows, we may stop for a few extra photo opportunities in Adventdalen on the drive back to Longyearbyen. If you enjoy hiking and the rare feeling of wide-open space, this is the trip for you.

Difficulty: 3/5
Group size: 2 - 8
Season: July - October
Duration: 6.5 hours (10:00–16:30)
Distance: Approx. 8–10 km
Elevation gain: Approx. 250 m
Minimum age: 12 years (discount for ages 12–14)

Fitness Level
Hikes suitable for those with normal fitness. Somewhat more demanding, hikes on rough terrain.

Included

oTransfers from/to accommodation

oWarm lunch and drinks

oGuide with safety equipment

oHiking poles (optional)

oSnowshoes if needed in winter

Recommended to bring

oWarm, well-worn hiking boots*

oWarm clothing

oCold drinks (thermos recommended)

oCamera

oWarm sweater/down jacket for breaks

oDay backpack

Warm hiking boots available for rent (NOK 100)

Additional equipment and clothing: Arctica

© John Niclas Forsmark, Martin Fiala, Rikke Hoddø Steinbakk, Bonnie Raffel, Matt Austin, Isabelle Johansen