Lyngen

Lyngen municipality is an Arctic Eldorado. There is some of the most mountainous landscape in Norway on the Lyngen peninsula. Here are glaciers and peaks up to 2000 metres (6500 feet) above sea level. In Lyngen, the activities available range from fjord fishing and fresh water angling to hiking in wonderful hills and valleys, glacier walking and mountaineering.

You can also get a chance to get to know the local culture. Lyngen muncipality has approximately 3.200 inhabitants and covers a area of 812,4 km2. The inhabitants are a unique blend of cultures, with Norwegian, Finnish and Sami background. Lyngen Municipality has three densely-populated areas, each of which has its own individual characteristics.

THE LYNGEN ALPS

The Lyngen Alps is mainly located in the municipalities of Lyngen and Balsfjord, although there are mountains further south and east, but not as impressive as the Lyngen Alps.

The mountains follows the western shore of the Lyngenfjord in a south - north direction. The length is at least 90 km (depending on definition, there are mountains all the way south to the border with Sweden), and the width is 15-20 km. The mountains dominates the Lyngen Peninsula, which is bordered by the Lyngen (fjord) to the east, and Ullsfjorden to the west. The British climber William Cecil Slingsby was the first to climb many of the peaks.

These alpine mountains are popular among extreme skiers, and provide stunning scenery against the blue fjords. The Lyngen Alps are sufficiently high as to give rain shadow in the interior lowland areas east of the mountains. The highest peak is Jiekkevarre, 1.833 metres, the highest in Troms. The highest mountain peaks in Lyngen are: Jiehkkevarri 1.880 metres, Store Lenangstind 1.596 metres, Istinden (Kjosen) 1.550 metres, Store Jægervasstind 1.545 metres, Bredalsfjellet 1.538 metres.

MIDNIGHT SUN

We have the Midnight Sun in our region from 20th May - 20th July. During this period, the sun stays above the horizon, and it is light 24 hours a day. The sky must be clear and there must be unobstructed visibility northwards in order to see the Midnight Sun. A summer night on the fjord or in the mountains is an experience not to be missed, you can go fishing in the fjord, which contains splendid variation of fish, or you can take a walk in the wilderness surrounding.

NORTHERN LIGHTS

Aurora Borealis is the Latin name for the Northern Lights – solar winds that meet the atmosphere in a zone around the magnetic North Pole. The Northern Lights are only visible when the sky is dark and clear, from August to April, and they are most intense from 10 pm to midnight. The region on the 700 northern latitude is a fantastic place for experiencing the beautiful and intense play of colours given off by the Northern Lights.

POLAR NIGHT

The dark time, or the long, dark Polar Night, lasts from 30th November - 12th January - there is only a twilight-dusk type of light (the blue light) for a few hours during the middle of the day. This does not mean that it becomes totally dark, however. The aurora borealis trails its multicoloured banner across the sky and the moon lights the scene just like the nightlight of Our Lord. The experience of the winter with the uniqueness of the light, the northern lights and snow is fantastic. Especially beautiful is the blue light southwards, just before it becomes dark.

LYNGSEIDET

Lyngseidet, the municipal centre, houses public institutions and service industries.

FURUFLATEN

Lyngen's industrial area. An industrial museum is being established here to preserve this centre's distinct history, particularly as the centre for the local plastic industry.

NORTH LENANGEN

Where the main forms of substistence are fishing and seafood industries.

MOUNTAINS

The highest mountain peaks in Lyngen are: Jiehkkevarri 188 metres, Store Lenangstind 1596 metres, Istinden (Kjosen) 1550 metres, Store Jægervasstind 1545 metres, Bredalsfjellet 1538 metres.

LYNGEN CHURCH

Built in 1731 at Karnes. Moved to Lyngseidet in 1740.

SOLHOV FOLKEHØGSKOLE

North-Norway´s largest wooden building.

FROM A TOURIST

The Lyngen peninsula is located in Northern Norway at a Latitude of 70 degrees North, far above the arctic circle. The Lyngen peninsula is literally crowded with peaks and glaciers, with the mountains rising directly out of the fjords to a height of 6,000 feet. The area is referred to as the Lyngen Alps.

Due to the warm ocean currents the fjords are ice free all year and the weather surprisingly mild. Being further North than Alaska, I expected much colder temperatures. However, the lowest temperature I recorded was 6 degrees fahrenheit on the top of Markusfjellet, a 5,000 foot peak. Most of the mountain temperatures ranged in the teens to low twenty's with ample amounts of sunshine. In the small fishing village of Rotsund, we skied to the summits of five peaks Cillagaisa, Markusfjellet, Bæssetinden, Jiehkkevarri, Kveita, and climbed four others Stortind, Piggtind, Store Lenangstind and Struptind (1/2 mile east of Store Lenangstind).

CILLAGAISA

The ski ascent and descent of Cillagaisa was an excellent ski tour as the powder snow conditions were perfect and the slope of the mountain provided for a moderate and continuous ski descent all the way to the car. It was a pleasant introduction to Northern Norway and prelude for what was to come in the following three weeks.

JIEHKKEVARRI

The ski traverse of Jiehkkevarri and Kveita via the Blåisen Glacier and descent via the Fuglebreen Glacier was truly spectacular and memorable. The ski descent of the Fuglebreen was unnerving as we had to wind our way through ice bulges and towers. The bottom portion of the glacier was very steep with concern for avalanche danger. In addition, we could not see, from above, whether or not there was a route all the way down and off the glacier. We could not determine whether or not the glacier ended in an ice fall that would block our descent. However, we had heard from Havard that he thought the route was manageable on skis. Based on this, we went for it, as the alternative of climbing back up and over the summit was unthinkable.

STORE LENANGSTIND

The ski across the Koppangsbreen Glacier and climb of Store Lenangstind and Struptind was the frosting on my "three weeks in paradise" and my favorite. The scenery was most outstanding as the glacier was rimmed by beautiful peaks pushing up through a sea of snow and ice. The glacier was as smooth as glass with no sign of crevasses as the winter snows had covered all of the glacier's rough edges.

The glacier is very accessible and the ski up from the small fishing village of Koppangen was quick and easy. We were to the base of Store Lenangstind in less than four hours. The slope of the glacier is perfect for skiing up as well as down, steep enough to get you there quickly but not too steep to wear one out. The fresh dusting of powder on the glacier enhanced the skiing even further.

On Store Lenangstind and Struptind we encountered similar climbing conditions and difficulties as on Stortind but on a much smaller scale. We reached the summit of Store Lenangstind in eight pitches via the East Ridge. Near the summit of Struptind, the Southeast ridge narrowed to a knife edge. On this lead I straddled the apex of the ridge by sitting down with one leg on each side of the ridge and inched myself forward. We climbed both peaks in a light snow storm and complete whiteout. At times, the visibility was so poor that I could barely see Dick at the opposite end of the climbing rope. This was the only tour/climb in the three weeks that we had bad weather.

My tours in the Lyngen Alps were truly fantastic. I highly recommend the area for skiing and climbing in April through mid May or hiking and climbing in July. I look forward to returning soon.

SKIING

There are possibilities for year-round skiing in the area at the mighty Lyngen Alps.

FISHING

In the fjord, which contains splendid variation of fish, it is usually to catch cod until 25 kilos. In addition to cod, you can catch coalfish, wolf fish, haddock and other sorts. In the period March - November the possibilities are very good for catching fish. But because of a local cod family (tribe) are living in the fjord, the possibilities for catching fish are good all the year round.

If you want to go fishing in one of the many lakes in the mountains, we offer guided tours into the mountains. Here you can catch trout and char. Maybe you want to stay some days in a log cabin close to the river, where you can catch salmon. Well-suited areas for fresh water fishing around the lake Jægervatn.

GOLF

Tromsø Golfclub is located 35 minutes from Tromsø. The course is the most northenly 18 hole golfclub in the world. The surroundings with Lyngsalpene is spectacular.