Svalbard Cruises
Halfway between Norway and the North Pole, Svalbard distils the best of the Arctic into one remarkable archipelago. In high summer, largely ice-free coastlines reveal calving …
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Hiking in Svalbard as part of a cruise: Key points
- Hiking excursions on Svalbard are typically 2–3 hours, and as a general rule of thumb the smaller the ship the more time you will have on shore
- To cater for the mixed hiking abilities on the ship, guests are offered the choice to join a long, medium or short hike, so fitness level isn’t a barrier for anyone enjoying this activity
- Safety is key to all operations on Svalbard and the expedition team will go ashore to assess any wildlife risks from polar bears before any hiking takes place. Each walking group is accompanied by rifle handlers
- While it's important to stay together as a group when hiking, there are ample opportunities for breaks during each hike to talk about the fauna, local history or geology with your guides, and to enjoy the views and take photos
- Most of the hiking on Svalbard can be done in the loaned rubber boots that the ships usually provide guests. You can bring your own walking boots if you prefer
Swoop says
Whether you’re a short walker and happy to simply explore the beach area where you landed, taking in the marvellous views or focusing on your photography, or a long walker keen to get some mileage under the belt, these daily hiking guided excursions are a high point.
Nardus Erasmus Arctic Sales Specialist
Our most popular Svalbard Cruises
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
This popular introduction to Svalbard is keenly priced and, with numerous early season departures, guarantees plenty of ice. Sail onboard one of the newest ships in polar waters and spot bears from the plentiful deck space. Optional kayaking and hiking…
- 11 Days
- $9,761
Truly escape the modern world and explore Svalbard on board a schooner. Sail north through the melting spring ice, spot wildlife and learn about the archipelago’s rich history. Highlights include the Monaco Glacier, 17th century whaling settlements, close encounters with…
- 11 Days
- $6,000
Maximise wildlife sightings with the chance to circumnavigate Spitsbergen island. Search for walrus, arctic fox, whales and of course the ‘King of The Arctic'. Sail through the Hinlopen Strait and visit abandoned trapping stations and experience glaciers up close all…
- 11 Days
- $18,695
Travelling in luxury aboard an outstanding expedition ship, we love this trip for its unusual combination of Svalbard and Norway’s northern tip, plus its focus on top-notch service and cuisine. After a hassle-free flight from Oslo to Svalbard, spend seven…
- 11 Days
- $17,600
Circumnavigate Spitsbergen on board on a comfortable expedition ship and in the company of specialist guides. Travelling on a smaller ship allows you more time to explore, and some late-season departures benefit from stunning autumn light. Ask about special guest…
- 12 Days
- $9,390
Delivering a whopping 12 full days of exploration under the midnight sun, this voyage appeals to both wildlife enthusiasts keen to boost their chances of sighting Svalbard’s captivating fauna and the slow traveller who wants to get under the skin…
- 15 Days
- $23,495
For guests seeking a seamless, luxury, all-inclusive Svalbard travel experience, this is the ideal option. Travelling aboard an outstanding expedition ship with a choice of dining options and very well appointed suites, spend six full days exploring Svalbard’s spectacular coastline…
- 10 Days
- $16,400
Scouting Svalbard’s ice floes for wildlife by zodiac and on foot, cruising the magnificent 14th of July glacier and reaching the world’s most northerly settlement at Ny Ålesund are just some of this 10-day voyage’s many highlights. There's also the…
- 10 Days
- $6,250
Hiking in Ny London, Svalbard
Hike in the snow
Hiking at St John's Fjord on Svalbard
Hiking excursion in Svalbard
Enjoying a hiking excursion
Hiking on Svalbard
Hikers prepare to explore Svalbard
Hike in scenic surrounds
Hiking in Svalbard
View over the tundra on a hike
Best hiking spots on Svalbard
Alicehamna
This beautiful beach in Raudfjord offers some of the best hiking in Svalbard. Home to a Swedish trapper’s hut, the area is rich in flora and wildlife.
The hill at Brucenesset is home to a whaler’s grave and offers fabulous views to the north.
Hiking at Alicehamna
Crozierpynten
Wide expanses of easy walking reach beyond a beach where the Swedish arm of the Arc de Meridian expedition had its home in 1899, which was key to discovering the shape of the earth as not a true sphere.
Rare flowers nestle in this landscape which has some of the oldest rocks in Svalbard, dating back to more than three billion years.
Flowers on the beach in Svalbard
Burgerbukta
Two arms of a fabulous glaciated landscape offer spectacular hiking in the southernmost part of Spitsbergen island.
Glacial moraine offers easy walking, the chance to touch glacial ice and to view the highest mountain in southern Spitsbergen, Hornsundtind, rising to 4,600ft (1,400m).
Looking south from the hike at Burgerbukta
What our customers think of Svalbard
The voyage and excursions and hikes were great. I loved having options for a more vigorous hike. Read the full review
Travelled: June 2018
Leslie & Nancy Steenbeke (Grossman) - United States Of America
Torrellneset
Walrus can often be seen hauled out at this gravel beach on the north east island in the archipelago.
Behind the haul-out, the landscape rises behind to reveal skeletons of bears frozen in time since the last ice age.
Walrus at Torrellneset, Svalbard
Hemesdalen
Here a beautiful river gorge pours meltwater down to the ocean through flower-rich meadows.
The views to the Coliseum Mountain opposite are without parallel and the opportunity to find both white and blue foxes here is possible.
The river gorge at Hemsedalen
Alkhornet
It’s not surprising that the BBC chose this site to feature in many documentaries. Kittiwakes and other birds breed here in their thousands.
Reindeer feast on the rich plant life below, surrounding the remains of early Russian hunter cabins.
Walrus haul-out with kittiwakes
Swoop says
Hiking on Svalbard from a ship doesn’t require any specialist kit. The loaned rubber boots are very practical, particularly across mixed terrain, a day pack is a good idea for water, sunglasses and binoculars, and walking poles if you prefer.
Discover more about Svalbard
Svalbard Wildlife
At the height of summer when wildlife populations and activity are peaking on Svalbard, there are few other parts of the Arctic which offer the same combination of easy access and …
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When to visit Svalbard
While Svalbard may be an almost year round destination, the changing weather, number of daylight hours, amount of ice and snow conditions through the year all have a marked effect …
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Svalbard Ship Guide
In the absence of hotels, exploring Svalbard by ship provides unparalleled access to the archipelago's remote coastlines and icy fjords. Due to its popularity, Svalbard offers the …
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