Hiking in Troms – 7 trails from Senja and Lyngen to Dividalen

Troms is located north of Nordland and south of Finnmark, bordering Sweden and Finland. The county includes Tromsø, Senja, Lyngen, Bardu, Målselv and Balsfjord. Troms and Finnmark merged in 2020 but were split again in 2024. Troms is now its own county again.

The landscape alternates between coast, fjords, islands, large valleys and alpine mountains. The Lyngen Alps are the clearest example, but Senja and inner Troms also have demanding mountain terrain. The distances are great. A car or boat is often required to reach the starting point, and public transport is less frequent than in southern Norway.

This is a hiking article, not a tourist guide. Plan your stages, water, transportation, and return before you go.

1. Senja along – Troms' most important multi-day trail

Senja along the way at UT.no is the main article. The variant described at UT.no and DNT is approximately 72.6 kilometers and six days, with about 2,250 meters of elevation gain in total. The difficulty level is extra demanding and the season is May–August. Other variants are usually 80–100 kilometers and take four–seven days.

The division of stages varies depending on the variant and starting point. Use DNT's and UT.no's current stage descriptions instead of a fixed list.

The route goes through forest, bog, mountain ridges and valleys. In several places the wading can become deep and difficult at high water levels. The last part towards Breidtindvatnet is unmarked and requires a map, compass and good orientation skills.

Cabins are limited. Senjabu is an unmanned DNT cabin with eight beds and must be pre-booked. Tents are therefore necessary for most variants. Plan food for the entire trip and a realistic return from the end point. Mobile coverage and transportation should not be your only safety plan.

Senja på langs goes through sensitive mountain areas. Keep your distance from reindeer, don't go around wet areas unnecessarily and use existing paths where they exist. Weather changes, wind and precipitation can make an already long stage noticeably harder.

2. Sail and Horse – short trips with high consistency

Segla and Hesten are located in the same area on Senja, but are not the same tour. Segla is the more demanding destination. The tour is about 4.6 kilometers round trip and takes about 3.5 hours. Hesten is about 5 kilometers round trip and takes about three hours.

Both have steep and exposed sections. The surface consists of path, grass and rock, and wet mountainside increases the risk of slipping quickly. On the steepest grass sides, you should maintain three points of contact and turn before your balance deteriorates. Loose rock material can start to move underfoot.

These tours are suitable for experienced hikers with sure steps and are used to heights. They are not a good choice in dense fog, strong winds or persistent rain. Check the weather, wind and cloud base before starting. Bring water, reinforcement clothing, an offline map and a headlamp even if the tour is short.

3. Husfjellet – a quieter Senja alternative

UT.no describes Husfjellet as a moderately demanding hike . It is approximately 8.1 kilometers round trip, takes about four hours and has 645 meters of elevation gain. The peak is located at 635 meters above sea level. The start is at the parking lot near the old municipal building in Skaland.

The first part goes towards Sommardalen, over old trampled ground and cobbled bogs. After that the climb becomes smoother but stonier. The surface is mostly clear, but loose rock and wet cobbles require attention. The last traverse towards the lookout edge can feel exposed. You don't have to go all the way out to the edge to have a good ride.

The season is normally June–September. Check snow, water levels and weather on the same day. Mosquitoes and midges can be a nuisance in the valley areas.

4. Ånderdalen National Park – forest, bog and fjord landscape

Ånderdalen National Park is located on Senja and is managed by the Ånderdalen National Park Board. It contains original pine and birch forests, mountains, bogs and nature near the fjord.

The park lacks a commercial tour guide who can handle the logistics for you. You plan it yourself. Marked trails such as the Maurstien and the nature trail are suitable for shorter trips, while the Senja på langs connects through the larger area. Sážžá Senja nature house and museum is a relevant information point before departure.

The terrain is less alpine than Lyngen but can be wet and difficult to climb quickly. Clambers and crags can be slippery. Choose shoes that work on both wet bog and rock. The National Park's own regulations apply, as well as consideration for reindeer calving and bird life.

5. Blåisvatnet in Lyngen – glacial mud and boulder terrain

Blåisvatnet is about eight kilometers round trip and takes about three hours during the summer months. Count on about 1.5 hours in and one hour back, depending on pace and breaks. The path is mostly flat but becomes rockier towards the water. Red-painted cairns show the way.

The lake's blue color comes from glacial mud. It is a glacial watercourse. Stay on the trail and do not go out on ice or snow without knowledge of glacier and winter conditions. During winter and spring, skis and completely different planning may be required.

Blåisvatnet is a medium-demanding destination, but Lyngsalpan is otherwise an alpine area for experienced hikers and climbers. There is no simple, continuous long-distance hiking trail through the entire Lyngsalpan. Check the weather, snow conditions, water and transportation to the starting point. Wind and precipitation can increase quickly.

6. Sherpa stairs in Tromsdalen – physical mountain hike close to the city

Sherpa Stairs start at Fløyvegen in Tromsdalen and lead to the mountain plateau at Fjellheisen. The stairs have 1,203 stone steps and are steep and physically demanding. They are suitable during snow-free months, normally from late spring to autumn.

This is not the same as Fjellheisen . The cable car takes about four minutes to Storsteinen and can be an option up or down. Check operation and current times before building your plan on it.

Bring water, a windproof jacket and shoes with good grip. The stairs can be very slippery from rain and ice. Out of season, the Fjellheisen is often a safer option, but even there the weather at the top can be significantly worse than in Tromsø. The midnight sun provides a long period of light during the summer. During the dark period, a headlamp is required.

7. Rohkunborri and Övre Dividal – long-distance hike in inner Troms

Rohkunborri National Park is located in Bardu Municipality. The park covers 556 square kilometers and was established on February 25, 2011. It is a large area of primeval forest and mountains with little development. Upper Dividal National Park borders Rohkunborri.

The border trail runs through the middle part of Rohkunborri from the western end of Altevatnet to Lappjordhytta. The area includes Dividalshytta and Lappjordhytta, but check current booking, key and availability before departure. The stages can be long and include bogs, birch forests, rocks, bridges and fords. Some border routes continue towards Sweden and require careful return planning. Current routes and cabins can be found at DNT, UT.no and Norway's national parks ( https://www.norgesnasjonalparker.no/nasjonalparker/rohkunborri/ ).

Rohkunborri has marked trails, but national park does not mean easy terrain. Reindeer grazing, predators and large distances are part of the conditions. The park's own regulations apply. Do not go near reindeer during calving and migration.

Jiehkkevárri is Troms' highest mountain, officially 1,834 meters above sea level, on the border between Tromsø and Lyngen municipalities. It is an advanced mountain and climbing destination with glaciers in the area, not an ordinary hiking destination. Climbing requires glacier knowledge, a rope team and often a guide.

Public right in Troms

In Norway, the right of public access applies primarily to outlying areas , i.e. natural land where you can travel without disturbing agriculture, housing or other uses. Outlying areas include farms, cultivated land, gardens, courtyards and areas close to buildings. You are not free to walk there.

You are normally allowed to camp in the open countryside for a maximum of two days in the same place and at least 150 meters from inhabited houses and cottages. Camping in the countryside, near buildings and in special tent areas may require a permit or follow local regulations. In Troms there are many private fjord beaches, fishing villages and holiday homes.

The general ban on burning in or near forests and other open land applies from April 15 to September 15. Local bans may be stricter. Check the fire ban on the same day. A closed fire pit is often safer than an open fire, but even that must be used responsibly.

Dogs must be kept under control. Nationally, leashing is mandatory from 1 April to 20 August, and municipalities can extend the period. Special consideration is required in reindeer grazing areas. Motorized traffic in open areas is not included in the right of way; snowmobiles and other motorized vehicles are subject to separate regulations.

The right to use public space is as important as the right: leave no traces, use toilets where available, take all waste with you and avoid damaging vegetation. The rules differ from the Danish right to use public space and are not identical to the Swedish or Finnish right to use public space. The national parks Ånderdalen, Rohkunborri and Övre Dividal have their own regulations.

Pack for the weather, not the calendar

For Senja hiking, you need a wind-resistant tent, a backpack with capacity for food and insulation, a sleeping pad that can handle cold nights and a sleeping bag or quilt with a margin. Check out HikingStore's tents , backpacks , sleeping pads and sleeping bags . Also use our packing list for mountain hiking in the summer .

For the sleeping system, read the guide on bird down . The lowest possible weight is not the goal. A sleeping pad that is too thin will cause the ground to be cold and will impair recovery. On Troms trails, extra warmth, rain cover, map, compass, offline maps, first aid, water purification and a headlamp are more important than small weight savings.

Midnight sun does not change the temperature. During the dark period, more planning is required. Snow can remain high up well into the summer, and fog can make a well-known trail difficult to follow. Turn around in time when the weather changes. The best equipment is the one that works when the wind increases, the rock gets wet, and the plan has to be changed.

The next county in the series is Finnmark . After that, the Norway series is complete.