Longyearbyen: Bjørndalen Arctic Walk with Snacks
About This Experience
Bjørndalen is about six kilometres west of Longyearbyen along the coast, and it is where the town goes when it wants to be somewhere quiet. The drive there is half the appeal — mountains rising straight out of Isfjorden on one side, the open water on the other — and then the walking starts on flat tundra with long views in every direction.
The walk itself is genuinely easy, and it is short by design. The point is to have time to stop: for reindeer, which graze the valley in numbers; for Arctic fox, seabirds, seals or whales offshore, none of which are guaranteed and all of which happen. Your guide is certified, which on Svalbard means armed — everyone leaving the settlement is required to carry protection against polar bears, and that is what makes a guided walk the only legal way for a visitor to do this.
Where this tour differs from every other Longyearbyen walk is the polar plunge. Somewhere on the route, away from wildlife, you get the option to go into the Arctic Ocean. There is no sauna afterwards and no hot tub — the operator is quite proud of that. It is entirely optional and plenty of people watch instead.
Hot drinks and snacks come out at the turnaround. At three and a half hours it is the middle option between a two-hour town tour and a full day on a boat.
Highlights
- Walk a quiet coastal valley six kilometres west of Longyearbyen, off the main tourist route
- Look for reindeer, Arctic fox, seabirds, seals and whales on open tundra
- Take an optional polar plunge into the Arctic Ocean — no sauna, no shortcuts
- Easy, flat walking suitable for most fitness levels
- Hot drinks and snacks in the silence, with a certified armed guide throughout
What's Included
- ✓ Transport to and from Longyearbyen
- ✓ Certified local guide
- ✓ Hot drinks and snacks
Not Included
- Digital photos (available to purchase)
What to Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Warm layers
- Camera
- A towel and swimwear if you plan to plunge
Good to Know & Caveats
- The walk is gentle and flat, and suits most fitness levels
- Wildlife is wild and free — sightings are common in Bjørndalen but never guaranteed
- The polar plunge is completely optional, and there is no sauna afterwards
- Animals are observed from a respectful distance and never approached
- Leaving Longyearbyen without an armed guide is not permitted — this is why the walk is guided
Not Suitable For
- Wheelchair users
Meeting Point
Hotel pickup and drop-off in Longyearbyen. You choose your pickup point when you book — the town's hotels and guesthouses are all on the list, and nothing in Longyearbyen is more than a few minutes' drive apart. The drive to Bjørndalen follows the coast west out of town.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.6/5 by 28 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
Tour was great and the company was very helpful and accommodating. Theresa was an excellent and knowledgeable guide
— Miraj, August
A pleasant tour with a knowledgeable tour guide where we had a nice trek inside the valley and a nice rest area by a mailbox with a book where you could write your name, and views of the valley and the bay. On the way back, we passed an exit from the former Mine 3. More marshland down in the valley and more scree on the sides, but no direct difference in elevation. On the way there, we drove along the sea and saw several different birds and got a lot of information from the guide about Svalbard. We also saw a reindeer in the valley and several on the way home. We saw two whales a bit out in the bay and a common murre very close by as we walked. The guide told us a lot about Svalbard, its history and geology during the tour. We are very satisfied.
— Yvonne, August
The guide explained things very well, even to me, who is not very good at English. The hot drink after the light walk was delicious. We asked the driver to stop the car for photos along the way, but due to the strong wind, the door swung open in the opposite direction and was slightly damaged. I am very sorry.
— Shota, August
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is the walk?
Easy. It is flat tundra, deliberately short, and the pace is set by how often the group stops to look at something. If you can walk comfortably for an hour or two on uneven ground, you are fine.
Do I have to do the polar plunge?
No. It is completely optional and a good share of every group watches from the shore. If you are doing it, bring a towel and something to change into — there is no sauna or hot tub afterwards, by design.
Why can't I walk to Bjørndalen myself?
Anyone leaving the settlement of Longyearbyen must carry polar bear protection and know how to use it. In practice that means going with a licensed guide, which is what this tour provides.
What wildlife lives in Bjørndalen?
Svalbard reindeer are the most reliable sighting. Arctic fox, ptarmigan and seabirds are regular, and seals and whales appear offshore. The valley is quiet enough that animals behave naturally, which is much of the point.
Does it run all year?
It runs across the seasons, but the experience changes completely: tundra and midnight sun in summer, snow cover and low light in spring and autumn. Check the calendar for the dates you are travelling.
Other Svalbard Day Tours
Longyearbyen: Historic Coal Mine Tour at Gruve 3
Longyearbyen: Pyramiden & Glacier Arctic Boat Tour
Svalbard: Global Seed Vault & Arctic Viewpoint Tour by Car
Svalbard: Ice Cave Adventure by Snowmobile
Svalbard: Northern Lights Photography Tour with a Local Expert
