Dog sledding in Tromsø: Everything you need to know
Close to the Northern end of the world lies the Norwegian city, known for being the best vantage point for the enchanting Northern Lights – Tromsø. One of the most exhilarating ways to explore its snow-covered wilderness is by dog sledding. In this guide, we'll tell you everything you need to know about dog sledding in Tromsø to ensure a magical trip to the Arctic wilderness!
Tromsø is a vibrant city nestled in the heart of the Arctic in northern Norway. It is situated about 350 kilometres (217 miles) north of the Arctic Circle, making it one of the northernmost cities in the world. It's located on Tromsøya Island, surrounded by fjords and mountains. Tromsø is a hub for Arctic exploration - rich in culture, natural beauty, and adventure activities, such as dog sledding!
Characterized by centuries-old wooden houses and a skyline dominated by the iconic 1965 Arctic Cathedral, Tromsø can be traditional too. Tromsø is home to 75,000 people from around 120 different nationalities, making it a cultural melting pot which warms up to visitors. In this article, we'll talk about dog sledding in Tromsø. For those of you who don’t know, dog sledding has been around for centuries, originally for functional activities like travelling and hunting.
Siberian Huskies or Alaskan Malamutes have been the dog of choice and here’s how they line up: starting with the indispensable lead dogs, they must be looked after at all costs. At the opposite end, you have the strong wheel dogs, that help the sled out of the snow. Finally, in between, you have the swing and team dogs, used for their strength, endurance, and speed. Although the structure and roles of the dogs are the same as in the picture above, the number of dogs used during commercial dog sledding can vary.
The Arctic nature of the Tromsø region, the polar and Northern Lights, and the spectacular views make this region a great place to practice dog sledding. During the course of this article, we will talk you through some of the best dog sledding spots in and around the Tromsø region, different dog sledding options, the best time to go dog sledding, and the risks and equipment involved.
A valid concern you may have at this point is for the well-being of the dogs. Can the dogs endure the physical demands of this exhilarating sport? The video above explains why these dogs are picked for this sport and why pulling a sled through thick snow is something they actively enjoy. Furthermore, the instructors are essentially dog lovers themselves, something that’s evident when you meet them. Right from their nutritional needs to their medical and mental well-being, it is safe to say that these dogs are well cared for.
Dog sledding in Tromsø: Spots & Routes
As you already know, Tromsø is a big city, by Norwegian standards anyway, so it’s not the ideal spot for the sport of dog sledding. While the city streets don’t make for good conditions, it is a gateway to some of the most perfect dog sledding trails in Norway, located just an hour away!
Pickup and dropoff point
The pickup and dropoff point to go to the dog sledding campsites is always in the city limits of Tromsø. All of the meeting points are located within a five-minute walk of the main tourist spots, such as the Radisson Blu Hotel, the Scandic Ishavshotel, the port, and the city centre. A minibus or a car will pick you up from the site and take you to the kennel for the activity.
Starting Point or Campsite
Your next stop is the campsite, which is where you meet the dogs for the first time! Getting introduced to these furry friends is an absolute pleasure as you can pet them or even play with them before they get down to business. The campsite is also where you can spend the night, depending on the duration of your activity. The most common pick-up time is 9 am but this time can vary, depending on your instructor or your starting time for the activity.
Below, you can see a list of starting and ending points of campsites (transport to and from the starting points is usually taken care of by the instructors).
- Breivikeidet Camp: Located in the remote town of Ramfjordbotn, 50 minutes from Tromsø city centre.
- Villmarkssenter: Located on the east coast of Kvaloya Island, 30 minutes west of Tromsø city centre.
- Arctic Adventure Tours: Located just north of Villmarkssenter in Kvaloya, 30 minutes from Tromsø city centre.
- Camp Tamok: Located in the Øverbygd county of Norway, 1 hour and 20 minutes from Tromsø city centre.
- Tamokdalen Valley: Located in a 30 km (19 mi) long valley, 1 hour and 20 minutes from Tromsø city centre.
- Skibotn Valley: Located in the Storfjord Municipality framed by the Lyngen Alps, 1 hour and 30 minutes from Tromsø city centre.
- Moen: Located in Målselv Valley, 2 hours from Tromsø city centre.
- Malangen: Located between the Malangsfjorden and the Malangen mountains, 1 hour from Tromsø city centre. Please note that transfer is not included to this camp.
One of the most charming things about dog sledding is that it takes you into the Arctic wilderness, without a defined trail. You'll be awestruck by the mighty Lyngen Alps, the magnificent frozen lake Vassåsvanet, birch and pine forests, the vast and blue Arctic fjords, and if you’re really lucky, you can see reindeer in their natural habitat. You could also be stunned by the mountain valleys you might cross, like Tamokfjellet, Vasssedalen, Finndalen, Doppartinden, and Vassedalsfjellet.
It’s important to note that you might not see all of the sights listed above. What you see depends on several factors like the time of the day, which instructor you book with and the weather conditions.
Different Options for Dog Sledding in Tromsø
Half-day Dog Sledding Excursion
Although a half-day excursion sounds like a lot, time flies while you’re on the dog sled. Typically, you will be driving in pairs, one passenger and one driver, with the option to switch halfway – so one person doesn’t have all the fun! A half-day excursion usually includes up to 1 hour of dog sledding, followed by snacks and hot drinks at the camp. The half-day excursion is a good blend between recreation and sport due to the time frame, and is a popular option for first-time participants. Depending on peak or low season, half-day dog sledding in Tromsø costs approximately €150-€250.
Here are some half-day dog sledding excursions in Tromsø to choose from:
1. Self-Drive Dog Sledding near the Lyngen Alps from Tromsø
This tour includes 65 minutes on the sled and you can choose from an early morning or morning tour. After mushing your own team through the wilderness, you'll enjoy homemade snacks and hot drinks around a campfire
2. Self-drive Dog Sledding and Husky Experience near the Lyngen Alps from Tromsø
For this tour, you'll ride on the sled for 30 minutes in the early morning, morning or afternoon, followed by hot drinks and snacks, and time to play with the huskies.
3. Self-Drive Dog Sledding in Kvaløya from Tromsø
For this excursion, you'll spend 30 minutes on the sled, followed by Bidos (a traditional Sami reindeer dish), chocolate cake, coffee and tea around an open fire back at the kennels.
4. Self-drive Dog Sledding Excursion in Kvaløya from Tromsø
On this excursion, you'll ride for 80 minutes on the sled and end the adventure with hot drinks and cake in a traditional Sami tent at the camp.
Full-day Dog Sledding Excursion
A full-day dog excursion is highly recommended if your schedule permits you to participate in this longer experience. The activity lasts around 6-7 hours, before which an experienced team of instructors will impart dog sledding knowledge to you, giving you all the tools you need to succeed. When you return to the camp, a warm Lavvu (Sami tent) will be waiting for you to relax in. You’ll be served a traditional meal, usually a Bidos (reindeer stew with vegetables) with tea or coffee and a chocolate cake (vegetarian option also available). The meal can depend on the specific kennel and the day.
The full-day excursion allows you to disconnect from the outside world completely and you may also have the chance to see local wildlife such as foxes, eagles, Arctic and Snowshoe hares, moose and reindeer. Full-day dog sledding in Tromsø will cost around €270 (the price depends on the season).
Here is a list of some of the best full-day dog sledding excursions in Tromsø:
1. Intermediate Self-Drive Dog Sledding Excursion in Tromsø
This is a more advanced level excursion which requires some physical fitness. You'll spend 90 minutes on the sled, followed by a traditional Norwegian stew or soup.
2. Beginner Self-Drive Dog Sledding Safari from Tromsø
For this safari, you'll ride on the sled for 60 minutes in the morning or afternoon, split into two groups. The terrain is relatively flat making it accessible for beginners.
3. Self-Drive Dog Sledding Excursion in Skibotn near Tromsø
For this option, you'll enjoy time on the sled for 1-1.5 hours, ending with a snack and hot drinks at the kennel.
4. Evening Self-Drive Dog Sledding Safari in Skibotn Valley near Tromsø
During this evening excursion, you'll ride for 1-1.5 hours, with the chance to witness the phenomenal Northern Lights.
2-day Dog Sledding Excursion
The first thing you must know about a 2-day dog sled excursion is that although you require basic physical fitness, you do not need prior experience in dog sledding. A few instructions from your guide and you’re good to go. Normally, you arrive at the campsite and spend the evening in a comfortable Lavu tent. If you're lucky, you'll be treated to the magical Northern Lights! In the morning, you'll be served a delicious breakfast, followed by a 45-minute dog sledding ride into the remote beauty of the Arctic landscape. Keep an eye out for local fauna such as Arctic foxes, eagles, hares, moose, and reindeers. On this overnight Aurora Camp and dog sledding excurson in Kvaløya from Tromsø, you can choose to mush your own team or ride as a passenger on the guide's sled. The cost is €320 per person, including one night's stay, the dog sledding tour and equipment, and 3 meals.
7-day Dog Sledding Excursion
Frankly, a 7-day excursion isn’t the most popular option among participants, but it can be an enriching experience, in terms of exploring the Arctic wilderness. This 7-day dog sledding & camping excursion in Kvaløya from Tromsø includes 6 days of dog sledding and 6 nights of camping. The all-inclusive experience costs €2,400 per person which includes accommodation, meals, equipment and transfers.
Day 1: The first day is all about training. Getting accustomed to the dogs on day 1 will make your life easy, as they are your carriers throughout this 6-day journey. The basic knowledge about the sport is also transmitted to you.
Day 2: An early breakfast is followed by packing your equipment for the days ahead and a car ride to the starting point of the trail. After sledding every evening, you must feed the dogs before you set up camp and await the next day.
Day 3-6: The itinerary and route may vary slightly each day based on weather conditions and the Arctic landscape. Each morning, you'll begin by packing up camp and getting the dogs and sled ready. You'll spend about 3-7 hours sledding daily, with regular breaks to allow both you and the dogs to rest. On the fourth night, you'll stay at a unique campsite, equipped with a warm cabin and sauna.
Day 7: On the final day, you'll journey through Øvre Dividal National Park, a stunning wilderness area renowned for its diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife. The excursion concludes in Dividalen, a picturesque valley in Målselv Municipality, where transportation will be ready to take you back to Tromsø.
Self-drive or guided?
All of the excursions mentioned above are self-drive, meaning you will mush your own team of 5-7 dogs. Self-drive dog sledding can be more physically demanding, as you need to help the dogs push the sled over difficult terrain. However, it is an exhilirating and rewarding experience, allowing you to form a bond with your husky team! It is also worth noting that on average, the minimum age to drive the dog sled is 16 years old. Be sure to check before booking the activity.
If you want a more relaxing dog sledding adventure, where you can simply sit back and enjoy the breathtaking nature, a guided dog sledding ride is a better option for you. You'll ride as a passenger on the sled while the experienced guide mushes the team, for example on this half-day Arctic dog sledding ride in Kvaløya from Tromsø.
What to carry?
One of the reasons why dog sledding isn’t the most budget-friendly sport, especially in a place like Tromsø, is because the equipment is provided to the customers by the activity provider. Equipment like the sled, thermal overalls, and harness for the dogs is always provided for by the instructor but you must have your own important accessories such as woollen layers to be worn under expedition clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen. Make sure to check the included and must-bring items before booking the activity.
When to go?
The dog sledding season in Tromsø begins during the early days of November and stretches up to the next year in the early weeks of April.
The peak time for dog sledding in Tromsø is between the 24th of December and mid-February. The reason is that it falls in line with the Christmas break and is also a good time to catch one of the seven wonders of the world – the Northern Lights!
While deciding when you’d like to go dog sledding in Tromsø, it is important that you consider the following information - Tromsø is under the unique polar night for 24 hours, beginning in December to mid-January. Conversely, by April, the days start to be quite long (the sun sets before 9 pm by mid-April).
Why you Should go Dog Sledding in Tromsø
Dog sledding in Tromsø isn’t just an outdoor activity - it’s an immersion into the heart of the Arctic. The rush of adrenaline as your sled speeds through snow, the peaceful quiet of the frozen wilderness, and the connection you feel with the huskies all make for an unforgettable experience!
Furthermore, Tromsø is a unique destination and a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, with a plethora of adventures such as Northern Lights chases, wildlife experiences, reindeer sledding tours, and snowshoeing excursions waiting for you!
If you still need help deciding which dog sledding excursion in Tromsø is for you, check out our definitive guide to dog sledding in Tromsø!