Sætertinden
1,095 m
Norway
- Elevation
- 1,095 m
- Prominence
- 1,027 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- Mar–Apr
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: Class 2 (YDS) (westcoastpeaks.com) · Krevende (demanding) (ut.no)
A sea-level hike to the highest point of Harstad and Tjeldsund: from the sports ground at Årbogen on the E10, forest roads and a birch-wood path lead to the south-east ridge, then a pole-marked line over boulders climbs to the summit with its defence installations and towers. About 1,070–1,080 m of ascent and 13 km return.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 6.2 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,076 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 1,095 m
- Time Up
- 4h 22m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 2h 55m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From Harstad take Rv83 south to the roundabout before the Tjeldsund bridge, turn right towards Lødingen and follow the E10 about 8 km to Årbogen. Turn right at the sign 'Idrettsplass', take the right-hand gravel fork after 100 m and park at the Sandtorg sports ground (about 15 m). Cross Årbogelva and follow the forest road west. After 850–900 m, where the lit track goes left, keep right to the road end 100 m further. A forest path heads north-west; keep right at a fork after 250 m and reach a ridge after about 300 m, where another path joins from the right. About 450 m later keep left (the right branch goes to Årbogvatnet) and climb the south-east ridge through birch forest and onto open ground, on a good path. Fill water bottles at the stream lower down; there is little water higher up. At about 740 m the path reaches a disused barracks site; from here tall poles (and bamboo sticks for winter) mark the way across boulders to the summit. The last 300–400 m of ascent are on blocky ground, with one short, steeper and narrower stretch of ridge, but no climbing. The summit carries defence installations, two concrete towers and buildings. Allow 2–3 hours up and about 5 hours for the round trip; descend the same way with care on the boulders.
Start
Sandtorg Idrettspark15 m
- Regular buses on the E10 (stop 'Årbogen' close to the trailhead).
- Parking at the trailhead
Waypoints
- Parking: Sandtorg Idrettspark15 m
- Feature: Årbogbrua35 m
Footbridge over Årbogelva
- Summit: Sætertinden1,095 m
Key Passages
- Årbogbrua over Årbogelva
- South-east ridge above the birch forest
- Pole-marked boulder field from 740 m
- Short narrow ridge below the summit
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 75%Overview
The highest point of Harstad and Tjeldsund municipalities (1,095 m), on the county border above Tjeldsundet in south-eastern Hinnøya. A sea-level hike from the E10 to a summit crowned with defence installations.
Sætertinden rises above Tjeldsundet, the strait separating Hinnøya from the mainland, on the boundary between Troms and Nordland. It is the highest point of both Harstad and Tjeldsund municipalities and of the eastern part of Hinnøya, Norway's largest coastal island; with a prominence of about 1,027 m it stands well clear of its neighbours.
The standard route from Årbogen, a few minutes from the E10, starts near sea level and climbs through fields and birch forest to an open ridge, then up a long boulder slope marked with tall poles. The summit is occupied by defence installations, concrete towers and buildings, which take away some of the wilderness feel but make the top easy to identify. The view behind you is good the whole way up, and the summit view on a clear day is wide.
Outdoor organisations rate the hike demanding because of the 1,070 m of ascent, but there is no climbing, and children used to rough ground manage it.
Climbing Notes
Allow about 5 hours return for 13 km and roughly 1,070 m of ascent; a fit walker reaches the top in 2–3 hours. The boulder field above 740 m is the most tiring part, especially on the way down. Fill water bottles at the stream lower down. The route is used all year: in winter it is a popular ski tour, and the pole line on the upper slopes helps navigation in poor visibility. Carry avalanche kit and check varsom.no in winter.
The summit installations belong to the Norwegian defence sector; keep away from fenced areas and equipment.
Season
Best Mar–Apr- January: Possible
- February: Good
- March: Best (best window)
- April: Best (best window)
- May: Possible
- June: Good
- July: Best
- August: Best
- September: Good
- October: Possible
- November: Possible
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Ski touring; polar night in early January
- Feb
- Ski touring
- Mar
- Ski touring; longer days
- Apr
- Spring ski touring
- May
- Snowmelt
- Jun
- Snow on the upper boulders early in the month
- Jul
- Main hiking season
- Aug
- Main hiking season
- Sep
- Autumn colours; shorter days
- Oct
- First snow
- Nov
- Short days; early-winter conditions
- Dec
- Polar night
Access & Permits
- Rules
- Defence installations on the summit: do not enter fenced areas or interfere with equipment
- Getting There
Harstad
Harstad/Narvik Airport, Evenes (EVE)
- By car from Harstad: Rv83 south, right before the Tjeldsund bridge towards Lødingen, then 8 km south on the E10 to Årbogen and the 'Idrettsplass' turn-off; park at the sports ground
- Regular buses run along the E10 (stop 'Årbogen')
Hazards
- Weather
- Avalanche