Tromsdalstinden
1,238 m
Norway
Also known as Тромсдалстинд, Tromsdalstinden - Sálašoaivi, +1Also known as
Тромсдалстинд · Tromsdalstinden - Sálašoaivi · Sálašoaivi
- Elevation
- 1,238 m
- Prominence
- 1,171 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- Mar–Apr
- Routes
- 2
Routes
2Sources differ: Black / very demanding (summer route tro52) (ut.no (Troms Turlag))
Tromsø's house mountain by its marked summer route: up the Tromsdalen valley on a cart track, east on the T-marked path towards Skarvassbu over a year-round bridge, up through birch forest to the bare plateau, then very steeply and airily up the north-west ridge to the summit cairn and its visitor book. Usually descended via Salen.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 8.3 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,213 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 1,238 m
- Time Up
- 5h 07m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 3h 31m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the Arctic Cathedral (Tromsdalen church) follow Turistvegen 2.5 km to the turning area and car park at its end (about 40 m). Continue on the cart track up Tromsdalen to where the T-marked path to Skarvassbu branches east by Signarhytta. Cross the river on the year-round bridge and climb through the forest to the path junction on the open mountain just west of the north-west ridge of the peak. From here the route goes very steeply and airily up the ridge, on rock, scree and old snow, to the broad summit with its big cairn. Iron stakes mark the edge of the east face; never go outside them in winter, when the cornice can break. Troms Turlag gives 4½ hours from the church; with a light pack it is quicker. The usual descent goes south-west down the summit ridge to the saddle Salen and then north back into Tromsdalen, which is gentler but longer; the north-west ridge is better avoided in descent by anyone uneasy with steep, exposed ground. The route is exposed in bad weather and wind, and fog is common on the summit plateau. The marked summer route is maintained July–September.
Start
Turistvegen car park41 m
- From Tromsø centre walk across the Tromsø Bridge to Tromsdalen and the Arctic Cathedral, or use a local bus to Tromsdalen (timetables not checked); then walk Turistvegen to the car park.
- Parking at the trailhead
Waypoints
- Parking: Turistvegen car park41 m
End of Turistvegen, 2.5 km from the Arctic Cathedral
- Summit: Tromsdalstinden1,238 m
Key Passages
- Cart track up Tromsdalen
- Bridge over the river on the Skarvassbu path
- Very steep and airy north-west ridge
- Summit plateau with iron stakes along the east cornice edge
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 80%Overview
Tromsø's house mountain, the 1,238 m snow-capped peak at the head of Tromsdalen, visible from the city centre and climbed by thousands every year. It is a steep but non-technical summer hike and a classic ski ascent, with a corniced east face.
Tromsdalstinden ('the peak above Tromsdalen'; Sálašoaivi in Northern Sami, 'the rounded head of the good hunting ground') rises about 9 km south-east of Tromsø city centre. Locals simply call it 'Tinden'. It is the highest summit visible from Tromsøya, and with about 1,170 m of prominence it is also one of Norway's major independent peaks. Snow covers it for most of the year; the top is usually bare only for a few summer months.
The mountain is rounded on the city side and drops in a steep, heavily corniced face to the east. In summer the marked route climbs the north-west ridge from Tromsdalen and most people come down via the gentler south-west ridge and the saddle Salen. In winter and spring it is one of the most popular ski ascents in the region, with lines on almost every side. Between 3,000 and 5,000 people sign the summit visitor book each year.
The mountain has cultural significance for the Sami: plans for downhill pistes from the summit in Tromsø's Winter Olympics bid of the early 2000s set off a long debate about whether it is a sacred mountain under Sami nature religion.
Climbing Notes
Summer: allow about 4–5 hours up from Tromsdalen church and 7–8 hours for the loop up the north-west ridge and down via Salen. The north-west ridge is very steep and airy; those uneasy with exposure should go up and down the Salen route. Good shoes, warm and windproof clothing and plenty to drink are needed; the marked summer route is maintained July–September, and snow lingers on the upper mountain in June.
Winter and spring: carry avalanche equipment and check varsom.no; there are 30–40° slopes between 500 and 650 m on the most used ski line, and huge cornices build on the east edge. Stay inside the iron stakes along the summit edge. Crampons are often useful on the wind-scoured ridges. In polar night (late November to mid-January) ascents are by headlamp.
History
No first-ascent record exists; the mountain has long been used by Sami hunters and herders and by Tromsø residents. In 2003 Tromsø's bid for the Winter Olympics planned downhill runs from the summit to Ramfjord, prompting a lasting controversy over its Sami religious significance. On 16 March 1997 a man survived a free fall of 100–150 m from the summit, cushioned by deep snow. In April 2005 a 59-year-old skier was killed when a cornice broke about 100 m below the summit and he fell some 400 m.
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: Possible
- December: Possible
- Jan
- Polar night until mid-January; ski ascents by headlamp
- Feb
- Ski season; cold
- Mar
- Prime ski-touring month
- Apr
- Spring skiing; long days
- May
- Spring snow; midnight sun from late May
- Jun
- Snow on the upper mountain; summer route not yet clear
- Jul
- Main hiking season
- Aug
- Main hiking season
- Sep
- Autumn; first snow possible
- Oct
- Early winter conditions
- Nov
- Early-season skiing for experienced parties; polar night begins
- Dec
- Polar night; ski ascents by headlamp
Access & Permits
- Rules
- Do not go beyond the iron stakes along the summit edge above the east face in winter; the cornice can collapse.
- Getting There
Tromsø
Tromsø Airport (TOS)
- From Tromsø centre cross the Tromsø Bridge to Tromsdalen; from the Arctic Cathedral follow Turistvegen 2.5 km to the car park at its end
- For the Ramfjord approach, park at the Asko car park on the Ramfjord side
Hazards
- Cornices
- Avalanche
- Exposure
- Weather