Tromsdalstinden

Tromsdalstinden
Sálaščohkka Sálašoaivi
Tromsdalstinden as seen from Fløya in August
Highest point
Elevation	1,238 m (4,062 ft)
Prominence	1,170 m (3,840 ft)
Isolation	9.4 kilometres (5.8 mi)
Coordinates	69°36′28″N 19°08′38″E / 69.60778°N 19.14389°E / 69.60778; 19.14389Coordinates: 69°36′28″N 19°08′38″E / 69.60778°N 19.14389°E / 69.60778; 19.14389
Geography
Tromsdalstinden Location in Troms
Location	Tromsø, Troms, Norway
Topo map	1534 III Tromsø
Climbing
Easiest route	Hike

Tromsdalstinden (Northern Sami: Sálašoaivi or Sálaščohkka) is a mountain southeast of the city of Tromsø in Troms county, Norway. The mountain is located at the southern end of the Tromsdalen valley. The summit measures 1,238 metres (4,062 ft) above sea level. Snowfall varies from one year to another, but the peak is usually snow free only for a few months in the summer. The mountain is easily spotted from the city centre of Tromsø. The summit is a popular hike, requiring nothing more than good shoes, normal physical condition, and plenty to drink.

The Norwegian name Tromsdalstinden means "the peak above Tromsdalen", while the Sámi name is made up from the components Sálaš and Oaivi. The first word signifies a good hunting area, the second literally translates as "head" but when speaking of landscapes indicate a mountain that is rounded, i.e. does not have any jagged peaks.

Hikers may summit Tromsdalstinden either from the suburb Tromsdalen, or from Ramfjorden. The slopes up are not technically difficult, though fog and rain can make the ascent complicated for those not familiar with the terrain. When approaching the mountain from the southeast (Ramfjorden), though, hikers and skiers must at one point move over the southwestern or northwestern (city-facing) sides of the mountain as the mountain becomes too steep. The best season for hiking is May through September. Skiers usually take the Fjellheisen aerial tramway to Storsteinen, and begin their ascent from there. There are two main treks, the Winter trek and the Summer trek.

A ski trip that starts on the southwest side of the mountain (on the right in the pictures) which is called Salen (the Saddle). When descending, skiers zig-zag down from the top until they reach the minor lake Tromsdalsvannet (nor.) or Moskojávri (sám.) in the innermost part of the Tromsdalen valley.

A hike that starts on the zig-zag trek used to descend when skiing. On the way back, hikers follow the narrow northeastern ridge of the mountain (left on the pictures). The descent route at one point takes you quite close to the steep drop behind the mountain, and as such may not be suitable for hikers prone to vertigo. For such hikers, it is perhaps a better recommendation to go back the way they came.