Lyngen
Municipality · Troms
About Lyngen
Ski-touring peaks of the Lyngen Alps, the turquoise glacier lake Blåisvatnet, and the world's northernmost whisky distillery at Årøybukt.
What to do and where to stay in Lyngen
Places to stay are run locally, with no hotel or campsite chain behind them.
1Blåisvatnet (the Blue Lake)Hike
An easy but rocky 9.5 km return walk over a riverbed to a turquoise lake below the Lenangsbreen glacier; the lake is usually frozen until early June.
Lyngen Alps, west side of the Lyngen peninsula · 2.5–3 h (9.5 km return, ~170 m up) · June–September (best colour mid–late summer)
2Steindalsbreen glacier walkHike
A 12.4 km return walk up Steindalen to a glacier front, where signs along the moraines show how far the ice has retreated year by year.
Steindalen, by road 868 between Oteren and Lyngseidet · 5–7 h (12.4 km return, top 480 m) · Summer–early autumn (snow-free)
3Lyngentrappa (the Lyngen Stairs)Hike
About 1,200 stone steps laid by Nepalese Sherpas climb from Lyngseidet; opened in August 2023 by mountaineer Kristin Harila, with a path on to Rundtinden.
Giæverlia, above Lyngseidet centre · 1–2 h for the stairs; 4–5 h to Rundtinden (5.2 km one way) · Snow-free season, roughly June–October
4Lyngstuva lighthouse walkHike
An easy 6 km return path from the end of the road at Russelv to the lighthouse on the tip of the Lyngen peninsula, past signposted Sámi, Kven and Norwegian sites.
Russelv, northern tip of the Lyngen peninsula · 2–3 h (6 km return, max 90 m) · May–November
5Lyngen ChurchHistory & culture
A white cruciform wooden church from 1782 in Lyngseidet, moved here partly so Sámi from Ullsfjord could reach it; the German army used it as a stable in WWII.
Lyngseidet village centre · 20–30 min · All-year (outside); check opening hours before you go
6Gamslett fisherman's farm (Nord-Troms Museum)History & culture
A fisher-farmer's farmstead 500 m from the Svensby ferry quay, kept as it looked around 1900, with house, barn, boathouse and Alf Gamslett's 2,000-object collection.
Svensby, 500 m north of the ferry quay · 45 min · Summer only (2025: 9 Jul–2 Aug, Thu–Sun 10–16); outside open all year
7Solhov, the big wooden folk high schoolLocal oddity
Built in 1924, this 3,000 m² former folk high school is called the largest wooden building north of Trondheim; 30-minute guided visits on request.
Solhovlia 10, 2 km south of Lyngseidet on road 868 · 30–60 min · all-year (tours on request, usually 14:00–16:30)
8Aurora Spirit distilleryFood & drink
Bivrost whisky and gin are made inside a disused Cold War NATO base at Årøybukt; guided tours with three tastings run all year, best booked ahead.
Årøybukt, by the Lyngenfjord north of Lyngseidet · 45–60 min (tour) · all-year, limited days (e.g. Jan–Mar Tue/Thu/Sat; mid-Jun–mid-Aug Mon–Sat; 11:30–16)
9Restaurant Bøteriet at XLyngenFood & drink
A seafront restaurant at Nord-Lenangen with big windows over the fjord, cooking Lyngen prawns, Lyngen lamb, halibut and cod from local suppliers.
Lenangsveien 2344, Nord-Lenangen · 1–1.5 h · all-year (Wed–Sun; closed Mon–Tue)
10Lyngsdalen to DalbotnHike
A 12.4 km return valley walk from Furuflaten to Dalbotn, where three glaciers are in view at once, in the valley leading to Jiehkkevárri, the highest peak in Troms.
Furuflaten, Lyngsdalen (Vuošvággi) · about 4 h (12.4 km return) · all year; snow-free June–September is easiest
Special places to stay
fjord-side cabins with floating sauna
Five two-storey cabins and four apartments right by the fjord at Nord-Lenangen, with a floating sauna and sea dip, plus the Bøteriet restaurant on site.
XLyngen · Lenangsveien 2344, Nord-Lenangen
Book something local
distillery tour and tasting
A 45–60 minute guided tour of the distillery in a former NATO base with three tastings; lunch can be added if ordered ahead.
Aurora Spirit · Årøybukt, Lyngen