The Lyngen Alps of Norway, Re-defining the Idea of Breathtaking.

From Tromso we decided to explore the fjords (more driving) to get a feel for the lay of the water-woven land. After a short ski tour of Anderstaltinden, we headed to Nordlenangens near the Northern tip of the Lyngen Alps.

Northern Norway Road Trip

There’s nothing quite so demoralising as driving 50 kilometres deep into a narrow fjord in clear view of your route directly across the fjord, heading, mockingly, back the way you came!

On the phone, discussing details with the Captain of the Anna Rogde with whom we have an upcoming trip Martin said,

“You know Roy we’ve realised it’s better to have a boat in the fjordlands of Norway than a car.”

This was met by initial silence and then as Roy contemplated a fact that perhaps he’d long taken for granted, he started laughing a deep salty chuckle . . .

Somewhat frazzled after all the driving we took some R&R in a rented cottage in Storvollen including fishing with a local at the headland of the Nordlenangsneset. We caught three disappointingly small Cod (knowing the potential of the area where a fish as large as me (50 odd kilos) is a catch that barely raises eyebrows). I would argue that I winched the fish in rather than caught it since it was a gadget attached to the boat with a handle rather than a fishing rod.

Frying the fish in some breadcrumbs with butter and lemon – it was probably the most melt-in-your-mouth fresh fish I have ever tasted.

Ski Touring in the Lyngen Alps

The following day, we had in our sights an aesthetic looking couloir on a pyramidal peak that we’d been admiring from the cottage.

This was to be a marvellous adventure. I can only begin to put into words the experiences of the day. Six and a half kilometres of rolling spindly birch forest covered on skins crossing paths with a herd of reindeer. (Yes, we finally encountered reindeer).
Booting up a 35 degree couloir to the summit of Kvasstinden to be greeted by white-tipped sea Eagles coasting above our heads.
Skiing a combination of cold snow and corn with magical views to the turquoise waters of Nordlenangen and Sørlenangen fjords and back to the village of Storvollen. Not a single person in sight.



Skinning alongside the reindeer highway to the rounded summit of Rundfjellnasen we were confronted with another soul-stirring vista - like something out of a Baroque Claude Lorraine sea-scape. At 5 O’clock in the evening golden light spilled across the Ullsfjorden and the view extended past the islands, an unbroken horizon out to the North Sea. A panorama to make your heart sing!


Next week we start a sail and ski trip beginning from Tromso so our adventures have only just begun.