Vanntinden
1,032 m
Norway
- Elevation
- 1,032 m
- Prominence
- 1,032 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- Mar–Apr
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: Moderate, even ski ascent; Kvalvåg variant avoids slopes over 30° (toppturmania.blogspot.com)
The popular way up the highest mountain on Vanna (Vannøya), listed in Karlsøy's 'Til topps' programme: from Kvalvåg on the island's west side past the stone hut Steinhytta (Bjørnebu, 350 m) and up the west ridge, about 4.2 km and 1,000 m of steady ascent on heather, rock and easy scree. Especially popular as a winter ski tour.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 4.4 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,031 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 1,036 m
- Time Up
- 3h 59m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 2h 37m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Vanna is reached by car ferry from Hansnes on Ringvassøya (about an hour's drive from Tromsø) to Skåningsbukt; allow about 2 hours from Tromsø in total. Drive west along the island road to Kvalvåg, near Vannareid, which has a bus stop. From Kvalvåg the route climbs east to Steinhytta, a small stone shelter also called Bjørnebu, at about 350 m, then follows the west ridge to the summit, about 4.2 km from Kvalvåg according to the municipal trail guide. The terrain is open and the gradient steady; lower down it is a mix of heather and rock, becoming rock and firm, easy scree near the top. On skis the Kvalvåg line is the gentlest on the mountain and stays below 30°. The summit has a visitors' book and a wide view over the open sea, Helgøya, Reinøya and the Kvænangen peaks. Descend the same way. A ski party took about 3.5 hours return at an easy pace for a little over 1,000 m of ascent. A shorter summer alternative starts near Finneset, about 12 km from the ferry towards Vannareid: a forest road for the first 150 m of ascent, then a partial path to the broad north ridge, narrowing briefly after point 869 (6.9 km and 1,040 m return; a fit walker took about 2 hours).
Start
Kvalvåg5 m
- Car ferry Hansnes–Skåningsbukt (Vanna) and fast boat from Tromsø; local bus along the island road (stop at Kvalvåg). Check tromskortet.no / entur.no.
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kvalvåg → Vanntinden | 4.4 | 1,031 | 0 | 3h 59m |
Waypoints
- Trailhead: Kvalvåg5 m
- Summit: Vanntinden1,032 m
Key Passages
- Steinhytta (Bjørnebu)
- West ridge
- Scree below the summit
Equipment
0/4 packedDownloads
Route confidence 55%Overview
The highest mountain on Vanna (Vannøya), an Arctic island north of Tromsø, rising 1,032 m straight from the sea. A steady, non-technical climb of about 1,000 m with a sweeping view of the open sea and the surrounding islands, and one of the area's popular, moderate ski tours.
Vanna (Vannøya) lies in Karlsøy municipality at the outer edge of the Troms archipelago, north of Ringvassøya. Vanntinden and its slightly lower south top (about 1,000 m) form the island's central massif; because the sea is the key col, the prominence equals the height. From the top the view takes in the open sea, Helgøya, Reinøya and the Kvænangen peaks.
The mountain has no long approach: from the island road, routes climb more or less directly to the summit. The municipal trail brochure describes the popular line from Kvalvåg on the west side via the stone shelter Steinhytta (Bjørnebu) and the west ridge, about 4.2 km. Another start is near Finneset, up the north ridge. The terrain is open and evenly angled, heather and rock lower down and firm scree near the top.
In winter and spring Vanntinden is one of the most popular ski tours on the island. Good route choice keeps the angle moderate, so it is often feasible even when avalanche danger rules out steeper peaks; the Kvalvåg variant stays below 30°.
Climbing Notes
A half-day for a fit walker: about 1,000 m of ascent in 4–7 km depending on the start, typically 2–4 hours return. Getting there is the main logistical step: about an hour's drive from Tromsø to Hansnes, then the car ferry to Skåningsbukt, roughly 2 hours door to trailhead; check ferry times.
The summit is often capped by fog and exposed to coastal wind; carry warm layers and a map. On skis (February to May), carry avalanche equipment and choose the Kvalvåg line for the gentlest angles; other variants have short 30–35° slopes near the start.
Season
Best Mar–Apr- January: Not advisable
- February: Possible
- 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
- Polar night
- Feb
- Ski touring as daylight returns
- Mar
- Popular ski-touring month
- Apr
- Ski touring
- May
- Late ski tours; snow retreating low down
- Jun
- Hiking; snow patches on the upper mountain; midnight sun
- Jul
- Midnight sun
- Sep
- Autumn; shorter days
- Oct
- Early snow likely
- Nov
- Polar night begins late in the month
- Dec
- Polar night
Access & Permits
- Fees
- Car ferry fare Hansnes–Skåningsbukt
- Rules
- Right of access (allemannsretten) applies
- Getting There
Tromsø; Hansnes
Tromsø (TOS)
- Car: Tromsø to Hansnes on Ringvassøya (about 1 hour), car ferry to Skåningsbukt on Vanna (route 185), then the island road west to Kvalvåg or Finneset
- Fast boat (route 3) between Tromsø, Nord-Lenangen and Skjervøy calls at Vanna; local buses on the island; see tromskortet.no or entur.no
Hazards
- Weather
- Avalanche
- Remoteness