Bentsjordtinden
1,169 m
Norway
Also known as Søndre BentsjordtindenAlso known as
Søndre Bentsjordtinden
- Elevation
- 1,169 m
- Prominence
- 1,053 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- Mar–Apr
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1The classic summer and ski route from sea level at Vollstad: a signed tractor road and marked path through birch forest to the open slopes of Bogfjellet, a gentle arc south of Sandhaugen, then up the mostly solid west ridge, marked with small cairns, and a final scree slope to the summit cairn. About 8–12 km and 1,170–1,240 m of ascent round trip.
About 70% of this line is approximate (no mapped trail; drawn from the terrain). Check it against a map before relying on it.
Why? 5 check notes
- 70% approximate geometry
- Vollstad → Bogfjellet: dem (snap_failed, 2.4 km)
- Bogfjellet → Sandhaugen: bridge (snap_failed; one off-graph gap, 1.2 km)
- Sandhaugen → West ridge: corridor (unreachable; 263 m of gaps, 0.9 km)
- West ridge → Bentsjordtinden: bridge (snap_failed; one off-graph gap, 2.0 km)
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 6.4 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,223 m
- −69 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 1,169 m
- Time Up
- 5h 01m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 3h 28m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Drive from Tromsø across Kvaløya and through the subsea Rya tunnel to the Malangen peninsula, then about 9 km to Vollstad (around 40 km from Tromsø). Park in the lay-bys by the road near the quay and fish-drying racks. A tractor road signed for Bentsjordtinden starts above the farmyard; go considerately past the houses, as the landowner has noticed the traffic. The tractor road becomes a well-marked path up through the birch forest. Above the trees the route climbs gently across Bogfjellet and arcs south of Sandhaugen, then turns south-east up Aksla towards the west ridge. The ridge is mostly firm rock and marked with small cairns all the way; the last climb is up a scree slope to the large summit cairn and register on the south (main) summit. Durmålstinden (about 1,145 m), 20 m lower, lies a short ridge traverse away and its last metres are an airy scramble. On ski the same line is the guidebook 'normal route': a sometimes awkward start through the forest on the east side of a small ridge, a traverse up towards Sandhaugen, a turn south-east at about 500 m, a 30–35° section between 620 and 650 m, then a fine amphitheatre up to the summit ridge, best joined from the south-west with a short steeper bit just below the top. Allow about 3½–4 hours round trip in summer for fit walkers.
Start
Vollstad12 m
- Public transport to Vollstad was not checked; a car is assumed.
- Parking at the trailhead
Waypoints
- Parking: Vollstad12 m
Lay-bys near the quay; signed tractor road starts above the farm
- Feature: Bogfjellet353 m
Open ground above the treeline
- Feature: Sandhaugen370 m
The normal route arcs round its south side
- Shoulder: West ridge523 m
Point where Bjørstad reached the broad ridge from Sandhaugen (GPS)
- Summit: Bentsjordtinden1,169 m
Key Passages
- Signed tractor road and path above the farm at Vollstad
- Arc south of Sandhaugen
- West ridge with small cairns
- Scree slope to the summit
- Optional airy scramble onto Durmålstinden
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 55%Overview
The highest point of the Malangen peninsula south-west of Tromsø, a twin-topped 1,169 m mountain climbed from sea level. A marked path and an easy west ridge make it one of the classic Tromsø-area hikes, and it is a popular ski tour from January to early summer.
Bentsjordtinden (also Store or Søndre Bentsjordtinden) rises at the outer end of the Malangen peninsula, its twin summits clearly visible from Tromsø on the horizon to the south. The south summit is the highest point of the peninsula and gives the mountain about 1,050 m of prominence; the slightly lower Durmålstinden lies a short ridge walk away.
The usual route climbs from the shore at Vollstad on a signed tractor road and marked path through birch forest, then across open ground and up a broad, mostly solid west ridge marked with small cairns. It asks for fitness rather than skill: almost all 1,170 m of height is gained on foot. The summit has a register in a jam jar by the large cairn and is renowned for its view over Malangen, Kvaløya, Senja and Tromsøya; the philosopher Peter Wessel Zapffe is said to have claimed you can see seven parishes from the top.
In winter and spring the mountain is a standard Tromsø ski tour with a guidebook normal route, a steeper descent gully and a demanding northern couloir.
Climbing Notes
Summer: a half-day for fit walkers (about 3½–4 hours round trip) or a relaxed full day, 8–12 km and roughly 1,200 m of ascent. Good boots for the scree near the top and warm, windproof clothing; the summit is exposed and fog is common. Add Durmålstinden for an airy finishing scramble.
Ski touring (January–June): the normal route has a 30–35° section between 620 and 650 m and the slopes above are avalanche start and run-out zones, with cornices on the ridge. Check varsom.no and carry transceiver, shovel and probe. The northern couloir (up to 45–50° below the col) needs crampons and an ice axe.
Season
Best Mar–Apr- January: Possible
- February: Good
- March: Best (best window)
- April: Best (best window)
- May: Good
- June: Good
- July: Best
- August: Best
- September: Good
- October: Possible
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Ski touring after polar night ends mid-January
- Feb
- Ski touring
- Mar
- Ski touring; check varsom.no
- Apr
- Best ski-touring month
- May
- Spring skiing high up
- Jun
- Late ski tours or hiking with snow; snow showers possible
- Jul
- Summer hiking; insects in the forest
- Aug
- Summer hiking
- Sep
- Autumn colours; early snow possible
- Oct
- First snow on the upper mountain
- Dec
- Polar night
Access & Permits
- Rules
- The path starts through a private farmyard at Vollstad; pass quietly and park in the roadside lay-bys, not at the farm.
- Getting There
Tromsø
Tromsø Airport (TOS)
- By car from Tromsø across Kvaløya and through the subsea Rya tunnel, then about 9 km to Vollstad (about 40 km in all)
- Alternative start at the Brokskaret car park on the west side of the massif
- Public transport to the trailhead was not checked
Hazards
- Avalanche
- Cornices
- Weather