We had never been to a glacier before, so we were really excited about this hike to a real glacier.
Accommodation in Lyngen Alps
The previous evening, we had arrived from Gorsabrua and booked accommodation in the village of Lyngen (Yykeänmuotka) at Lyngen Apartments AS. The accommodation was a pleasant surprise. A spacious apartment with a kitchen, living room, bedroom, washing machine, and beautiful views of the sea and mountains from the windows. We were especially excited about the washing machine, as we had been on the road for over a week and laundry was much needed! The apartment was clean and tidy, and the host was friendly! Definitely a recommended place to stay in the Lyngen Alps.
Steindalsbreen Glacier Hike
The Steindalsbreen Glacier is located in the Steindalen Valley of the Lyngen Alps, Norway and can be reached by a reasonably moderate hike. The trail is about 6 kilometers each way, making the total distance around 12 kilometers. The route is quite easy to navigate, mostly following the river that originates from the glacier.
The trail involves an ascent of about 470 meters, with about half of it at the beginning. The start of the trail is a bit steep, but once past that, it levels out and is quite enjoyable to walk. The starting point of the Steindalsbreen Glacier hike is from this parking lot, where you can also leave your car, of course.
The weather when we set out was rather questionable, and we didn’t know if it would start raining or not. So, just to be safe, we packed different jackets: raincoats as well as lightweight puffer jackets, as it could be cold on the glacier, and we set off wearing windbreakers. Good footwear is also essential for this trail.
The hike starts with a relatively steep climb, ascending about 300 meters over the first one and a half kilometers through forested landscapes, with the river flowing from the glacier beside us.
After the steeper section, you’ll come across a resting area where you can also make a fire. We didn’t check if there was firewood available or if it is needed to bring your own. We took a short break here after the uphill climb, had our sandwich lunch, and drank coffee from the thermos, all while admiring the scenery and the peace and quiet.
From here on, the trail is flatter and runs along the riverbank the whole time. The water in the river is crystal clear and has a turquoise hue, truly beautiful. Along the trail, we also encountered a herd of sheep, which freely grazed in the Norwegian mountainside.
Towards the end of the route, the trail passes through a beautiful meadow-like valley floor with majestic mountains rising up alongside. Near the end of the trail, there’s a slight ascent over a larger mound to reach the base of the glacier itself.
The magical atmosphere of the glacier
At the end of the hike awaited a glacial lake with azure blue water, behind which the glacier begins and ascends higher. Photos don’t do justice to this place, and seeing the glacier in person is truly a spectacular sight. Some of the more daring even go for a swim in this freezing glacial lake, but we opted to layer up with thicker jackets as the strong wind blowing over the glacier was really cold, and swimming was the last thing on our minds 😄
It’s worth noting that you shouldn’t walk onto the glacier by yourself unless you’re experienced in glacier hiking. Glaciers can be unpredictable and contain crevasses that can be fatal. Booking a trip with a guide allows you to safely access the glacier. Otherwise, it’s best to admire the glacier from its edges.
The place is really magnificent. There are signs that indicate where the edge of the glacier has been at different times, and unfortunately, it has melted considerably over the years.
Although it was cold, we spent a long time here. After all, it’s not every day you’re on a glacier, so we wanted to make the most of it! We were lucky on this hike as well, and apart from one other group, we were the only visitors, so we could enjoy the views and take pictures in peace.
Eventually, the cold started to get to us, and it was time to head back. We walked some way back until the wind began to ease, and the weather warmed up a bit, at which point we found a nice spot and had a proper picnic. We admired the scenery and the glacier peeking through. From here, the journey back to the car was the same route we had come, and the slight downhill made the journey effortless.
In summary, the trail is easy to navigate, with a bit more uphill at the beginning and end, but otherwise, it’s quite flat. Although the start of the trail might feel challenging, once you’ve conquered the initial ascent, it’s not that difficult, and overall, the route isn’t very strenuous. You’ll do just fine with a basic level of fitness.
For the night, we drove to the Blåvatnet parking lot, as our plan was to hike to Blåvatnet the next day. The parking lot can be found here, and it’s spacious with restroom facilities. There were a couple of other groups staying overnight in the wilderness parking lot besides us.
