Across the arctic wilderness of steigen
JANUARY 2022
We are very excited about this new and adventurous snowshoeing and hiking trip in Arctic Norway! Imagine exploring a rarely visited area in wintertime with frozen rivers, scenic views and pure wilderness. Our research team worked hard to develop this new multi-day backpacking trip in the fantastic surroundings of our base in Steigen (100 km north of the Arctic Circle). To make it accessible to everyone, this trip is designed, so you don't have too much to carry. We will travel light as much as possible, but sometimes you will need a bigger backpack with a sleeping bag. As we are in the Arctic, weather and snow can make this trip challenging at times. We can shorten trails if necessary and make extra stops in between. This winter trip is about snowshoeing and hiking with sleds through valleys, fantastic views over the fjords, forests and plateaus. In the evenings, we keep an eye on the sky with the hope of a tremendous northern lights experience.
summary in other languages
NEDERLANDS
Across the Arctic wilderness of Steigen is een perfecte reis als je met sneeuwschoenen en pulk een meerdaagse avontuurlijke hike wilt maken in het noorden van Noorwegen. Het research team van Dutchexplorers heeft hard gewerkt aan het ontwikkelen van deze uitdagende trail en we zijn er super enthousiast over. Het gebied Steigen ligt ongeveer 100 kilometer noordelijk van de poolcirkel en bestaat uit 1000 vierkante kilometer ruige natuur. De trail start op onze basis in Steigen die vanaf het vliegveld Bodø gemakkelijk is te bereiken met een ferry. Na aankomst leer je hoe je een pulk(slee)moet modificeren zodat je bagageveilig kan vervoeren. Je krijgt voor de start ook een korte cursus waarin je leert met sneeuwschoenen en pulk te hiken. Tijdens de hike overnachten we in expeditietenten, tipi-tenten en(mountain)cabins. Er is ook een luxe versie van deze reis waarin je alleen in cabins en andere accommodatie overnacht. De trail start aan de kust met geweldige uitzichten over het fjord met aan de horizon de bergen van de Lofoten. De route loopt van west naar oost en je doorkruist verschillende winterse landschappen. Op sommige delen zijn geen paden en gaan we cross-country (off-trail)dwars door de fantastische Noorse wildernis. De trail bevatuitdagende passages door de bergen waarbij de meeste bagage en pulks naar een volgend pick-uppunt worden getransporteerd. We hiken door besneeuwde valleien, bossen en open terrein met fraaie uitzichten. Soms gaat de trail dwars over een bevroren meer en kan je gaan ijsvissen als de condities goed zijn. De (mountain) cabins zijn eenvoudig en cozy. Je helpt mee aan het koken van eenvoudige voedzame maaltijden, het maken van vuur en het hakken van hout. Drinkwater halen we uit een rivier of we smelten sneeuw. Als je hebt gekozen voor een versie van deze reis met tenten, dan kan je een hoop leren over het opzetten van een base camp. Als we geluk hebben, dan kunnen we wildlife spotten. Je kan onder meer otters, elanden, rendieren en vossen tegenkomen. Deze reis kan je boeken in de periode december–april en is beschikbaar in een versie van 7 en 9 dagen. De reis vindt plaats gedurende het noorderlicht seizoen, dus als we geluk hebben kan je genieten van het groene licht van de aurora borealis. Je kan tijdens de hike veel leren over bushcraft, navigatie, outdoor cooking en andere skills. Het is mogelijk om bepaalde trajecten korter of langer te maken, zodat we de zwaarte van de trail kunnen aanpassen aan de weersomstandigheden en aan de deelnemers.
NORSK
På tvers i Steigens villmark er en perfekt tur hvis du ønsker å dra på noen dagers eventyr i nord Norge. En fottur (hike) med truger og pulk. Dutchexplorers forskerteam har jobbet hardt for å utvikle denne utfordrende løypa, noe vi er stolte av. Steigen-området ligger omtrent 100 kilometer nord for polarsirkelen og består av 1000 kvadratkilometer med ulendt terreng. Løypa (trail) starter ved basen vår i Steigen, som er lett tilgjengelig med ferge fra Bodø lufthavn. Etter ankomst lærer du hvordan du pakker en pulk slik at du kan transportere bagasjen trygt. Vi starter med en gjennomgang av løypa, og hvordan vi bruker bruker pulk og truger. På turen overnatter vi i ekspedisjonstelt, tipitelt og hytter. Det er også en luksuriøs versjon av denne turen der du bare bor i hytter og annen overnatting. Trail starter ved kysten med flott utsikt over fjorden med Lofotens fjell i horisonten. Ruten går fra vest til øst, og du krysser forskjellige vinterlandskaper. Noen områder er uten stier, og vi går egne veier gjennom den fantastiske villmarken. Trail innebærer noen utfordrende passasjer der pulker og bagasje blir fraktet til neste hentested. Vi hiken gjennom snødekte daler, skoger og åpent terreng med vakker utsikt. Noen ganger krysser vi frosne innsjøer hvor vi kan fiske på is hvis forholdene tilsier det. Vi overnatter i enkle koselige hytter der du hjelper til med å lage enkle næringsrike måltider. Vi hugger ved og lager bål. Drikkevann henter vi fra en elv eller vi smelter snø. Hvis du velger denne turen, vil du lære å lage en basecamp. Hvis vi er heldige, kan vi få øye på ulike dyrearter. Du kan møte på oter, elg, rein og rev. Du kan bestille denne turen i perioden desember - april, og den er tilgjengelig som 7 og 9 dagers turer. Det er sesong for nordlys, så hvis vi er heldige, kan vi se det utrolige grønne nordlyset. Du vil underveis lære å navigere, å lage mat utendørs og mange andre nyttige ferdigheter. Det er mulig å gjøre visse ruter kortere eller lengre, slik at vi kan tilpasse rutene etter værforhold og deltakere.
DEUTSCH
Coming soon...
FRENCH
Across the Arctic Wilderness of Steigen est un voyage parfait si vous êtes à la recherche de randonnée et d'aventure pendant plusieurs jours dans le nord de la Norvège, avec raquettes et pulka (traineau pour l’équipement). L'équipe de recherche de Dutchexplorers a travaillé dur pour développer ce tracé challengeant et nous sommes très enthousiastes. La région de Steigen se situe à environ 100 kilomètres au nord du cercle polaire arctique et se compose de 1000 kilomètres carrés de nature sauvage. Le sentier commence à notre base de Steigen qui est facilement accessible en ferry depuis l'aéroport de Bodø (1h). Après votre arrivée, vous apprendrez à régler la pulka (traîneau) pour pouvoir transporter vos bagages en toute sécurité. Avant le départ, vous recevrez également un petit cours dans lequel vous apprendrez à faire de la randonnée avec des raquettes et une pulka. Pendant la randonnée, nous passons la nuit dans des tentes d'expédition, des tentes en tipi et des cabanes (de montagne). Il existe également une version de luxe de ce voyage où vous ne restez que dans des cabines et autres hébergements. Le sentier commence sur la côte, avec de superbes vues sur le fjord avec les montagnes des Lofoten à l'horizon. Le parcours s'étire d'ouest en est et vous traversez différents paysages hivernaux. Dans certaines régions, il n'y a pas de sentiers et nous faisons du cross-country (hors-piste) à travers la fantastique nature norvégienne. Le tracé contient des passages difficiles à travers les montagnes, la plupart des bagages et les pulkas seront alors transportés vers le prochain point de rendez-vous. Nous traversons des vallées enneigées, des forêts et des terrains dégagés avec de superbes paysages. Parfois, le sentier traverse un lac gelé et vous pourrez aller pêcher sur la glace si les conditions le permettent. Les cabanes de montagne sont simples et confortables. Vous aidez à préparer des repas simples et nutritifs, à faire du feu et à couper du bois. Nous obtenons de l'eau potable grâce aux rivières ou nous faisons fondre de la neige. Si vous avez choisi une version de ce voyage en tente, vous pouvez en apprendre beaucoup sur la mise en place d'un camp de base. Si nous avons de la chance, nous pourrons apercevoir la faune sauvage. Vous pouvez rencontrer des loutres, des orignaux, des rennes et des renards. Vous pouvez réserver ce voyage dans la période décembre - avril et il est disponible dans une version 7 jours et une version 9 jours. Le voyage a lieu pendant la saison des aurores boréales, donc si nous avons de la chance, vous pourrez profiter des lumières vertes des aurores boréales et en apprendre beaucoup sur le bushcraft, la navigation, la cuisine en pleine nature et d'autres compétences pendant la randonnée. Il est possible de raccourcir ou de rallonger certains parcours afin d'adapter la difficulté du parcours aux conditions météorologiques et aux participants.
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general information
Here you can find all important information about this trip. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
You can also check our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for general questions.
You can also check our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for general questions.
DATES AND BOOKING INFORMATION
NAME
Across The Arctic Wilderness Of Steigen
DATES
22 January 2022 - 28 January 2022 (7 days, short version)
22 January 2022 - 30 January 2022 (9 days, standard version)
22 January 2022 - 30 January 2022 (9 days, no-tenting version)
Across The Arctic Wilderness Of Steigen
DATES
22 January 2022 - 28 January 2022 (7 days, short version)
22 January 2022 - 30 January 2022 (9 days, standard version)
22 January 2022 - 30 January 2022 (9 days, no-tenting version)
COSTS (WHAT IS INCLUDED)
COSTS
The costs of this trip are:
1350 EUR (short version)
1575 EUR (standard version)
1825 EUR (no-tenting version)
INCLUDED
Included are two nights in (mountain) cabins, all transports during the trip, guiding, rent of snowshoes, use of tents, use of sleds and cooking equipment.
NOT INCLUDED / SHARED COSTS
Flights and transfers to the starting / ending point are not included. Daily expenses like food and drinks are shared among the participants and the staff. Usually these costs are around 10-15 EUR per day. You can also bring some food from your home country.
ADDITIONAL NIGHTS IN ACCOMMODATION (SHORT & STANDARD VERSION)
If we (like to) stay more in cabins or cottages, we share these costs as well. Our decisions how to stay overnight are based on weather forecasts, conditions, temperatures and what we like. The cabins are around 30-35 EUR per person / per night. You can find more information about our accommodations below.
The costs of this trip are:
1350 EUR (short version)
1575 EUR (standard version)
1825 EUR (no-tenting version)
INCLUDED
Included are two nights in (mountain) cabins, all transports during the trip, guiding, rent of snowshoes, use of tents, use of sleds and cooking equipment.
NOT INCLUDED / SHARED COSTS
Flights and transfers to the starting / ending point are not included. Daily expenses like food and drinks are shared among the participants and the staff. Usually these costs are around 10-15 EUR per day. You can also bring some food from your home country.
ADDITIONAL NIGHTS IN ACCOMMODATION (SHORT & STANDARD VERSION)
If we (like to) stay more in cabins or cottages, we share these costs as well. Our decisions how to stay overnight are based on weather forecasts, conditions, temperatures and what we like. The cabins are around 30-35 EUR per person / per night. You can find more information about our accommodations below.
LOCATION AND ARRIVAL INFORMATION
LOCATION
This trip starts at our base, a small fishing village named Helnessund, in the municipality of Steigen (Nordland) in the north of Norway. It's located 50 km north of Bodø and can be reached by ferry daily. This fast ferry (hurtigbåt in Norwegian) takes you in approximately one hour from Helnessund to Bodø. Check the timetable for departures in the FAQ.
In the standard version and the slow travel version, we take you on a road trip back to Bodø. In the short version you take the ferry back to Bodø.
AIRPORT
To fly to Bodø you usually take a connecting flight from Oslo. There are multiple flights daily between Oslo and Bodø with different airlines such as SAS, NORWEGIAN, WIDEROE or WIZZ Air.
TRAVELING BY TRAIN IN NORWAY
If you want to travel economically friendly we can recommend you a 17 hours train ride from Oslo to Bodø. Check vy.no for more information about traveling by train.
OUR ADVISE: TAKE YOUR TIME
We would like to recommend you to arrive one day before the start of this trip and take some time to acclimatize yourself. It's also good to reduce the travel and work stress.
We can give you suggestions for (budget) hostels or hotels in Bodø if you like. An overnight stay in Bodø after the trip has ended is also a good idea. In case of bad weather ferries can be cancelled or delayed.
This trip starts at our base, a small fishing village named Helnessund, in the municipality of Steigen (Nordland) in the north of Norway. It's located 50 km north of Bodø and can be reached by ferry daily. This fast ferry (hurtigbåt in Norwegian) takes you in approximately one hour from Helnessund to Bodø. Check the timetable for departures in the FAQ.
In the standard version and the slow travel version, we take you on a road trip back to Bodø. In the short version you take the ferry back to Bodø.
AIRPORT
To fly to Bodø you usually take a connecting flight from Oslo. There are multiple flights daily between Oslo and Bodø with different airlines such as SAS, NORWEGIAN, WIDEROE or WIZZ Air.
TRAVELING BY TRAIN IN NORWAY
If you want to travel economically friendly we can recommend you a 17 hours train ride from Oslo to Bodø. Check vy.no for more information about traveling by train.
OUR ADVISE: TAKE YOUR TIME
We would like to recommend you to arrive one day before the start of this trip and take some time to acclimatize yourself. It's also good to reduce the travel and work stress.
We can give you suggestions for (budget) hostels or hotels in Bodø if you like. An overnight stay in Bodø after the trip has ended is also a good idea. In case of bad weather ferries can be cancelled or delayed.
LEVEL AND EXPERIENCE
LEVEL
For this trip you need to be in a good shape and you will face some challenges. Not extreme but it can be out of your comfort zone at times. In general the distances are not too long (2-5 hours), but sometimes the trails are steep or include parts where there is no path (cross-country). Weather and terrain (especially snow) can make short distances more tough. On some parts you have to pull a sled.
EXPERIENCE
You need some basic experience to join this trip. Your previous experience should include hiking, sleeping in tents, fire making and outdoor cooking. If snowshoeing is new to you, then we will teach you the things you need to know. No worries!
Everybody has a comfort zone and it always differs from the comfort zone of other people. It is a personal thing. Being in wild nature away from civilization is adventurous, but can also cause stress or might scare you a bit occasionally. These feelings are natural and not a problem. Just be open and share things or ask questions. They say life starts at the end of your comfort zone. We believe that this is very true.
For this trip you need to be in a good shape and you will face some challenges. Not extreme but it can be out of your comfort zone at times. In general the distances are not too long (2-5 hours), but sometimes the trails are steep or include parts where there is no path (cross-country). Weather and terrain (especially snow) can make short distances more tough. On some parts you have to pull a sled.
EXPERIENCE
You need some basic experience to join this trip. Your previous experience should include hiking, sleeping in tents, fire making and outdoor cooking. If snowshoeing is new to you, then we will teach you the things you need to know. No worries!
Everybody has a comfort zone and it always differs from the comfort zone of other people. It is a personal thing. Being in wild nature away from civilization is adventurous, but can also cause stress or might scare you a bit occasionally. These feelings are natural and not a problem. Just be open and share things or ask questions. They say life starts at the end of your comfort zone. We believe that this is very true.
ACCOMMODATION
ACCOMMODATION
You will stay overnight in (mountain) cabins, expedition tents and a tipi tents (with a wood stove). Depending on the version you choose, three (short version), four (standard version) or all nights (no-tenting version) in (mountain) cabins are included.
You will stay overnight in (mountain) cabins, expedition tents and a tipi tents (with a wood stove). Depending on the version you choose, three (short version), four (standard version) or all nights (no-tenting version) in (mountain) cabins are included.
GEAR AND PREPARATIONS
PACKING LIST
This trip is organized north of the Arctic Circle. So you need warm clothing, good shoes and outdoor gear like sleeping bags and more. You can find a detailed packing list here.
On this packing list you can find all the gear and equipment you will need and other practical information.
RENT GEAR FROM US
In case you do not have all the gear and you do not want to buy, then you can rent equipment from us, for example backpacks, sleeping mattresses and more.
This trip is organized north of the Arctic Circle. So you need warm clothing, good shoes and outdoor gear like sleeping bags and more. You can find a detailed packing list here.
On this packing list you can find all the gear and equipment you will need and other practical information.
RENT GEAR FROM US
In case you do not have all the gear and you do not want to buy, then you can rent equipment from us, for example backpacks, sleeping mattresses and more.
REMARKS
THE ARCTIC
Remember we are in the Arctic and here the weather makes the rules. There is no day-to-day itinerary, only short term plans are realistic. We make our decisions on what is possible and when to do it based on weather forecast and conditions. Of course we love to hear your ideas and wishes. And we do our best to make it happen. A bit flexible mindset is a good thing to have here in northern Norway.
Remember we are in the Arctic and here the weather makes the rules. There is no day-to-day itinerary, only short term plans are realistic. We make our decisions on what is possible and when to do it based on weather forecast and conditions. Of course we love to hear your ideas and wishes. And we do our best to make it happen. A bit flexible mindset is a good thing to have here in northern Norway.
WEATHER AND CLIMATE
You can find detailed information about the climate and temperatures here.
MORE ABOUT THE DESTINATION
If you want to learn more about the region Steigen click here.
STEIgen aCROSS
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Steigen is an area in northern Norway that covers 1000 km2 of nature, and that waits to be discovered. Our research team developed this trail for those who like to hike for multiple days in wintertime through a variety of landscapes on an accessible level. This trail is consists of parts that we do with day-packs, other parts we cross valleys with sleds, and on some, we take a bigger backpack with food and sleeping bags to reach a cabin up in the mountains. If you choose for a version with tenting then most of the time those are transported by car to a pick-up point or to a base camp that already has been build by our staff at the time you arrive there. We hike with or without snowshoes depending on the terrain and the (snow) conditions. There are existing paths that we follow, but at other times we take a cross-country route through the wilderness. If the ice is safe, we also cross some frozen lakes. During this trip, we go into the mountains with spectacular views of the coastline of northern Norway and the fjords. You will also wander through valleys with lakes, dense forests and over higher plateaus. We usually meet hardly people during the hikes. The cabins are small, simple and cosy. Water comes out of a stream, and wood chopping is a daily routine. Because the days are short, we will spend a lot of time in and around a cabin or our tent camp. We can have encounters with moose, foxes and reindeer. For sure we will see giant sea-eagles up in the sky because Steigen hosts the largest population of northern Europe.
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THE route in a nutshell
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After a 1-hour ferry trip along the coast from Bodø, you arrive at our base in the small fishing village named Helnessund in Steigen. Here we welcome you and take you our tent camp or accommodation (if you booked the no-tenting version). Helnessund is located on the west tip of a peninsula overlooking the Steigen Archipelago and the mountains of the Lofoten wall. The trail that we are going the hike goes from the west to the east part of the peninsula. Because the trail is made out of modules, we can shorten or make parts longer, based on what we like and the weather and snow conditions. If you choose for the short version, then we take you back to Helnessund at the end, and you can enjoy the ferry back to Bodø. If you opt for the standard or the slow-travelling version, then we take you to a fjord cabin further inland where you can refresh (shower) and prepare yourself for a road trip through the Norwegian mountains back to Bodø.
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Some more things we like to tell
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PULK WORKSHOP
Suppose you choose the 9-days version of this trip. You will modify your pulk (sled) to suit your luggage, and you learn some about the background of sledding and the different options.
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NORTHERN LIGHTS
This trip takes place in the northern light season, and we hope we are lucky and have clear skies. There is not much light pollution during our travels. So if the lights appear, we have right conditions to get a clear view.
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LEARN NEW SKILLS
We like to teach you new skills or give you new experiences. You can learn more about navigation, maps, ice-fishing, fire-making or for instance wood chopping.
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OUTDOOR COOKING
We love good food, and we like to prepare it with just basic equipment. So if possible we cook on a fire, bake some bread or show you some Norwegian dishes. Of course, you are welcome to demonstrate your skills.
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