The Best Hikes in Narvik: 6 Trails from Easy to Challenging

Narvik is one of the most under-rated hiking bases in Northern Norway. Mountains rise straight out of the Ofotfjord, trailheads start within walking distance of the town centre, and in summer you can walk at midnight under a sun that never sets. Private summer adventures offer a great way to experience Narvik’s scenic trails, mountain views, and unique Arctic landscapes at your own pace.

Here are the routes we recommend most often, with an honest word on difficulty, plus an important 2026 update that affects several of them.

Important 2026 update: the cable car is closed

The Narvik cable car, which normally carries visitors up Narvikfjellet to 656 metres, is closed for reconstruction through December 2026, with a new cable car scheduled to open in January 2027. The Mountain Restaurant at the top is closed with it.

This matters for hikers because several classic routes traditionally used the cable car for the ascent or the descent. Right now, everything on that mountain has to be walked both ways. What to do in Narvik in summer includes exploring mountain trails and reaching higher peaks, but these hikes take considerably longer than most guidebooks and older blog posts suggest.

Please verify current status before you travel, as construction schedules move.

1. Funnhytta

Easy | About 3 to 4 hours back & forth | 150m

The most accessible mountain walk in Narvik, and the one we send families and first-time visitors on. Trail is a well-prepared gravel mountain road with a firm, even surface, climbing steadily from town to the upper .

No scrambling, no navigation, no special gear beyond decent shoes and a jacket. The reward is a full panorama over Narvik, the Ofotfjord and the Hallogaland Bridge.

2. Tredjetoppen (The Third Peak)

Moderate to hard | Full day from town | 1,272 m

The highest of the accessible summits above Narvik, and one of the best viewpoints in the region. From here the scale of the landscape becomes obvious: fjords running in several directions, peaks stacked to the horizon, and on a clear day a sense of just how wild this area still is.

Good fitness and sure-footedness required. Approached directly from higher starting points it is a shorter outing, but from town in 2026 isn’t possible as the mountain is closed.

3. Rombakstøtta (Tøttatoppen)

Hard | 6 to 9 hours | Around 16 km return, roughly 1,090 m ascent

The big one, and the most rewarding hike in the Narvik area for anyone with the fitness for it. Rombakstøtta sits across the Rombaksfjord and gives you the classic view back over Narvik, the Hallogaland Bridge and the surrounding peaks.

It is steep, sustained and long, with sections that demand attention. Hiking boots are essential - the lower trail carries meltwater well into summer. Best from June through October.

4. Narvik to Førsnesvannet

Hard | Half to full day

A steep, popular route climbing from the coast into open mountain terrain and up to Førsnesvannet lake. Lush forest low down gives way to rock and heath, with the Ofotfjord opening up behind you as you gain height. Consistently well reviewed, and consistently described as harder than people expect.

5. The Katterat Railway Trail - Rallarveien

Moderate | Around 12 km depending on starting point

The most interesting hike here for anyone who cares about history as well as landscape. The route follows the old Ofoten Line railway corridor towards the Swedish border, through the terrain that navies cut by hand at the turn of the twentieth century to move Swedish iron ore to an ice-free port.

The trail has a fork to Katterat station, with a station building dating from 1921 and an older railway workshop from 1902. You can combine it with a train journey in one direction, which makes for a memorable day. You can also choose to hike down to the fjord and back up. We can help organise smooth logistics for a memorable day outside.

6. Verdenssvaet

Easy | Family friendly

A shorter option with a big payoff, on the polished granite slabs that glaciers left across this region. Good for families and for anyone wanting a half day rather than a full one. This can also be biked for a unique adventure.

When to hike in Narvik

The main season is June to early October. Snow lingers on the higher ground well into June, and the peaks hold it later than you would expect.

Midnight sun runs from around mid-May to mid-July. Walking at 23:00 in full daylight is one of the genuinely most unusual things you can do here, and the low golden light in those hours is far better for photographs than the middle of the day.

From late September the first snow arrives on the tops, and autumn colours across the birch forest are spectacular. By late October you are into winter conditions and should be thinking about spikes or snowshoes rather than boots depending on terrain and weather conditions that year.

What to bring

Arctic mountain weather changes fast, and the gap between the fjord and 1,200 metres is large.

• Waterproof hiking boots with ankle support. Trails stay wet through summer.

• Waterproof jacket and trousers, regardless of the forecast.

• Warm layers, including a hat and gloves even in July. It is routinely 10 degrees colder on the summits.

• At least 1 liter of water per person, plus food.

• Offline maps. Mobile coverage is patchy in the valleys.

Should you hire a guide?

For Funnhytta, no. It is a gravel road, and you will be fine starting from town.

For the higher routes, it depends on your experience with Arctic mountain terrain. The value a local guide adds is mostly in judgement: knowing which route is in condition, reading incoming weather off the fjord, and knowing when to turn around. That last one is the important part.

We run small guided day hikes including a proper lunch, and we adapt the route to the group and the day's conditions. We handle the logistics and transport so you can focus on the views and memory-making.

FAQs

What is the best hike in Narvik?

For most visitors, Funnhytta gives the best view for the effort. For experienced hikers, Rombakstøtta is the standout day.

Is the Narvik cable car open?

No. It is closed for reconstruction through December 2026, with a new cable car planned for January 2027. All hikes on Narvikfjellet currently aren’t accessible.

When is hiking season in Narvik?

June to October. Higher trails hold snow into June and can see fresh snow from late September.

Do I need a guide to hike in Narvik?

Not for the easy gravel routes. For the higher summits, a guide is worth considering if you are not experienced in Arctic mountain conditions, where weather can change quickly and trails aren’t always well marked. If you don’t have a car and want to check out another fjord or valley, our guides are licensed drivers authorized to safely transport you to a unique adventure.