Destination
Snolkehytta
A day hike to 502 metres
Gratangen · Northern Norway
Snolkehytta is a day hiking cabin located 502 metres above sea level in Gratangen. The route climbs from forest terrain towards an open mountain landscape, and at the top stands a modern day cabin with wide views over the surrounding mountains.
The current Snolkehytta opened in 2020, but the site also has a longer history as a lookout point in the area.
- 502 m
- Elevation
- ~305 m
- Ascent
- ~0,5h
- To the cabin
- ~3-4 h
- Walking in total
About 0.5 hours is the walk from the car park to Snolkehytta. About 3–4 hours is an estimate for the full round trip, excluding breaks and time spent at the cabin. From Villa Sjøsiden to the trailhead takes about 0.5 hours. The hike itself lasts 3–4 hours.
From forest to mountain landscape
The route starts from the car park near Kvernmoveien and follows forest terrain for the first stretch. There is a small boggy section early on, where planks and boardwalks make walking easier.
The actual climb begins after roughly 1.5 kilometres and continues along a good, clear path. According to the sources the ascent is not particularly steep.
About halfway up the climb there is a viewpoint with a bench, looking towards Gratangseidet and Gratangsbotn.
Snolkehytta at 502 metres
Snolkehytta stands in an open spot on the edge of a small rise. The surrounding terrain is open, which gives a wide view over the landscape and the mountains around.
Inside the building there are tables and benches, and large windows bring the landscape into the room.
Snolkehytta is a day hiking cabin. It has no sleeping facilities and should not be treated as accommodation.
Designed for the landscape
The current Snolkehytta is a modern day hiking building. Its design uses materials including stone, wood and glass.
The building is fitted into the rocky surroundings, and the large glass surfaces bring the landscape indoors. The current building was designed by Erlikpluss Design Studio.
360° views
Snolkehytta sits in open terrain with a wide view of the surrounding mountains. The landscape includes, among others:
- Gratangseidet
- Gratangsbotn
- the area around Kvernmoen
- the surrounding mountains and fell terrain
A site with a longer history
The current Snolkehytta opened in 2020. Earlier there was a building connected to lookout use on the site, and the history of the place relates to the good visibility over the surrounding terrain.
According to the sources, there has been observation activity linked to aviation and air defence in the area, and the history reaches back at least to the 1960s. Along the route there are also traces from the Second World War, such as trenches and old barbed wire, connected to the war history of the Narvik area.
Built by the local community
The local community played a strong part in making the current Snolkehytta happen. Snolke Vel and people in Gratangen took part in raising funding and in the construction work.
From lookout point to day cabin
Second World War
Traces of war history in the area.
1960s →
Activity and a building connected to lookout use.
2018
The earlier building was demolished.
2020
The current Snolkehytta opened.
Difficulty: intermediate
Visit Narvik grades the route as intermediate (blue).
The route mostly follows a clear path. The first section can be wet, and more ascent comes towards the end. Weather, season and terrain conditions always affect the difficulty.
Getting there
The route described here starts from the car park along Kvernmoveien.
From Bjerkvik: drive the E6 north towards Gratangen for about 14.5 kilometres, pass the Gratangen junction and continue roughly 500 metres. Turn right onto Kvernmoveien and drive about 500 metres; the car park is on the left.
There are several alternative routes to Snolkehytta. This page describes the route starting from Kvernmoveien.
- Kvernmoveien
- Kvernmoen
- Gratangen
Good to know
- Snolkehytta lies at about 502 metres above sea level
- The ascent is roughly 300–305 metres
- The walk to the cabin takes about 0.5 hours
- Walking in total about 3-4 hours
- The route is marked
- The first section can be wet
- Boardwalks cover some of the wet parts
- There is a viewpoint with a bench on the climb
- Snolkehytta is a day hiking cabin
- The cabin has no sleeping facilities
Hiking in Northern Norway
Snolkehytta offers a slightly different day hike, combining mountain scenery, local history and a modern day cabin.