Ruŋgugáisá
1,458 m
Norway
Also known as SpanstindenAlso known as
Spanstinden
- Elevation
- 1,458 m
- Prominence
- 1,036 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Aug
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: YDS class 2 (prominent-mountains.no)
A marked, cairned path from the old road loop at Bukkemyra on Gratangsfjellet (about 425 m), right by the E6, climbs steadily north across boardwalked bog and open slopes to the large summit cairn. About 5.6 km and 1,030 m of ascent one way; the last kilometre is rocky. Popular as a spring ski tour.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 5.1 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,038 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 1,467 m
- Time Up
- 4h 07m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 2h 44m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Leave the E6 on Gratangsfjellet between the Gratangen and Lavangen municipal signs onto the old road (former Rv50; on the right heading south) and park by the information board about 200 m from the main road, at about 425 m by Bukkemyrvatnet. The marked and cairned path crosses Bukkemyra on boardwalks, then climbs steadily north with some steep sections to about 700 m, bearing gradually north-east up the natural line of the slope. Higher up the route works towards the gap between Sølvfjellet and Spanstinden, and the last kilometre, about 300 m of ascent, is steeper and rocky. The summit sits at the end of a short, broad and flat ridge; the large cairn has a summit register and the stamp box cemented into it. There are very steep drops to the north and west, with more than 1,200 m to Fossbakken. Fill water bottles before the final climb. Descend the same way; the round trip takes about 5 hours (ut.no). In winter and spring (February–April) it is a popular ski tour on the same line: due north to about 900 m, then north-east through the gap between Sølvfjellet and Spanstinden and up steep ground to the top. Descend on the ascent line, as the surrounding slopes are steep.
Start
Gratangsfjellet425 m
- The trailhead is on the E6 between Narvik and Bardufoss; long-distance buses use this road, but no stop at Gratangsfjellet was confirmed.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gratangsfjellet → Spanstinden | 5.1 | 1,038 | 6 | 4h 07m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Gratangsfjellet425 m
old road loop at Bukkemyra by the E6, information board
- Summit: Spanstinden1,458 m
Key Passages
- Steep, rocky final kilometre
- Summit ridge above steep north and west faces
Equipment
0/4 packedDownloads
Route confidence 80%Overview
The highest mountain in Lavangen, rising 1,030 m above the E6 on Gratangsfjellet between Narvik and Bardufoss. A marked path from a roadside car park at 425 m makes it one of the most visited summits in southern Troms, with steep drops of over 1,200 m on its north and west sides.
Spanstinden (Northern Sami Ruŋgugáisá) is the highest point of Lavangen municipality in southern Troms, standing between Gratangen and Lavangen just north of the E6 over Gratangsfjellet. With a primary factor of about 1,032 m it is one of Norway's roughly 85 summits with more than 1,000 m of prominence, yet because the trailhead is already at 425 m it is a straightforward half-day walk.
The local hiking club and ut.no describe a marked and cairned path from the old road loop at Bukkemyra: boardwalks over the bog, a steady climb with some steep sections, and a rocky final kilometre to a large cairn with a summit register. The summit ridge is broad and flat, but the north and west faces fall steeply to Spansdalen and Fossbakken.
From February to April the same line is a popular ski tour through the gap between Sølvfjellet and Spanstinden. The neighbouring Sølvfjellet (1,290 m) can be added for under 2 km extra.
Climbing Notes
Suitable for fit hillwalkers: allow about 5 hours return for 11 km and 1,030 m of ascent. The path is marked, but carry a map for cloud on the upper mountain, where the summit is close to steep faces. Snow can linger into June. As a ski tour it is moderate but the upper slopes are steep: check the avalanche forecast (varsom.no) and descend on the ascent line. No guide needed.
Season
Best Jul–Aug- January: Not advisable
- February: Possible
- March: Good
- April: Good
- May: Possible
- June: Good
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Good
- October: Possible
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Polar night ends mid-month; avalanche terrain
- Feb
- Ski tours from February in stable snow
- Mar
- Ski touring season
- Apr
- Ski touring season
- May
- Wet spring snow; mixed skiing and walking
- Jun
- Snow patches on the upper path early in the month
- Oct
- First snow
- Dec
- Polar night
Access & Permits
- Getting There
Narvik
Harstad/Narvik Airport, Evenes (EVE); Bardufoss Airport (BDU)
- Car: E6 to Gratangsfjellet, about 40 minutes (54 km) north of Narvik or about 190 km south of Tromsø; turn onto the old road loop between the Gratangen and Lavangen municipal signs and park by the information board
- Bus: long-distance buses run on the E6, but no stop at the trailhead was confirmed
Hazards
- Avalanche
- Weather
- Exposure