This guide is built from our own winters in the Arctic and from the live Legendary Adventure tour pages in Tromsø — prices, pickup times and what is included come straight from the operator, never invented.

Two Hikes, One Idea

Legendary Adventure runs two shared snowshoe hikes from Tromsø that look almost identical on paper: same price, same 4-hour length, same group size of 2–8 guests, same minimum age recommendation of 10. The difference is when they run, and that single difference changes almost everything about the experience.

You walk the same kind of snowy terrain with the same kind of gear. The daytime Arctic Snowshoe Hike is about landscape. The evening Aurora Snowshoe Hike is about darkness, headtorches and the possibility of seeing the sky move. Deciding between them is mostly deciding what you want to remember.

The Side-by-Side Facts

Notice what the evening version adds: snacks and a hot drink. The daytime listing does not mention food, so bring your own thermos and something to eat. Both tours use the same black Mercedes pickup point, and a private version of each exists for groups.

The Day Hike: What You Get

The Arctic Snowshoe Hike5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 starts at 10:00, so you ride out of Tromsø in the blue light of a winter morning and reach the trailhead with enough daylight to see the mountains. The guide fits the snowshoes and poles, explains the technique in a couple of minutes, and sets off at the pace of the slowest walker. The operator describes snow-capped mountains and fascinating fjords, and mentions that reindeer, foxes and seabirds may be seen, although we would not promise them.

The big advantage is the view. In daylight you can see where you are, and the sense of scale is part of the experience. You also finish by early afternoon with the evening free for a northern lights tour, a restaurant or an early night.

The Evening Hike: What You Get

The Aurora Snowshoe Hike5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 picks you up at 18:30 and takes you away from town lights to walk under the night sky. The operator’s description talks about the Arctic after dark, with trails you may know by day feeling entirely different at night, and a chance to see the northern lights in shades of green, purple and pink.

The word to hold on to is chance. A hike stays in one region and cannot drive hundreds of kilometres to chase clear sky, so on a cloudy night you get a peaceful night walk and not much more. On a clear, active night it can be extraordinary, and the quiet of walking rather than sitting in a vehicle is something many people love. Snacks and a hot drink are included, which helps with the cold.

Which Is Better for Aurora?

If aurora is your main goal, neither snowshoe hike is the strongest tool. The Northern Lights Tour5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 (NOK 2,300 per person, 5–8 hours) is a chase that routes around the weather, and it includes a winter suit and a warm meal. The Aurora Snowshoe Hike is better described as an active evening with aurora as a bonus.

Where the evening hike shines is for people who want to move rather than sit. If you are tired of cars, or if you have already booked a chase for another night, it is a lovely second aurora attempt that gives you exercise and fresh air. Put the two on different nights and your chances of at least one clear sky go up.

Fitness, Kids and Clothing

Both hikes are easy to moderate. There is no technique to learn, and the guide stops often. The age recommendation of 10+ applies to both, and children need proper insulated winter boots. Neither tour includes a winter suit, so wear your own layers: thermal base layer, mid-layer, windproof outer, hat, gloves and warm socks. In the evening version, a headtorch is a smart addition even if the operator provides lighting; check your booking confirmation.

If you have older teenagers who like being outdoors, the evening hike makes a great shared memory. For younger children or nervous walkers, the day hike is easier because everyone can see the terrain.

How a Day on Each Hike Feels

Day hike. You meet the black Mercedes outside Clarion Hotel The Edge shortly before 10:00 with boots on. The drive to the trailhead depends on snow and weather that morning, so the guide decides in the moment. After snowshoes and poles are fitted, you walk a loop or out-and-back, pausing for photographs and for the guide’s stories about the landscape and local life. Because the 4 hours include the transfer, the time on snow is shorter than it sounds, which is fine for first-timers. You return to Tromsø around lunchtime or early afternoon, hungry and with the whole evening ahead.

Evening hike. Pickup is at 18:30, so have an early dinner or a substantial snack beforehand, because the included snacks and hot drink are not a meal. The drive takes you away from the town’s glow; once the snowshoes are on, the guide leads a night walk at an easy pace. If the sky clears and the aurora is active, the guide will stop so you can watch. If it does not, you still get a night in the snow and a warm drink. Plan on a late-evening return, and a lie-in the next morning is wise.

What Couples and Families Usually Choose

Couples looking for romance often prefer the evening hike because walking in the dark with a hot drink feels intimate, and a sky full of stars is a reward even without aurora. Families with children aged 10 and over tend to like the day hike because the kids can see the surroundings and the finish is early enough for dinner and bed. Friends who want a challenge may look at the Arctic Snowshoe Adventure (Advanced), which is 6 hours and ages 16+.

If you cannot decide, ask yourself one question: would you rather remember a view or a night? The view is certain; the night is possible.

Combining Them With Other Tours

A classic winter day pairs the morning Arctic Snowshoe Hike with a rest in the afternoon and a northern lights chase in the evening. The evening hike should not be combined with a chase on the same night. Instead, treat it as a night of its own, ideally followed by a lie-in. If you have only two full days, we would do the day hike on day one, the chase on night one, and the fjord tour on day two. More itinerary ideas are on our Tromsø activities hub.

How to Book With 5% Off

Open the tour page for the hike you choose, select the date and guests, and go to checkout. Type HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 into the promo-code field and apply it; the discount appears before payment. The code works on any Legendary Adventure tour booked online, so you can add both hikes or a chase in the same booking. For groups of friends or families, look at the Private Snowshoe Hike5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 and Private Aurora Snowshoe Hike5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5, both NOK 12,000 per group for the same 4-hour format. Cancel free until 48 hours before departure.

FAQ

Our Honest Final Word

If you can only do one, choose the day hike when you want to see Northern Norway and the evening hike when you want a night walk with a chance of aurora. For the best chance of the lights themselves, add the chase on a different evening. Both are good value at NOK 1,500, and the evening version’s snacks and hot drink make the money go further.

Book the Arctic Snowshoe Hike5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 or the Aurora Snowshoe Hike5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 and enter HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 for 5% off.

5% off · code HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5

Our Tromsø snowshoe picks

Tap a tour to see live dates and prices. Enter HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 in the promo-code field at checkout for 5% off.

Small group · 4 HoursArctic Snowshoe HikeFrom NOK 1 500 per personBook with 5% off →Small group · 4 HoursAurora Snowshoe HikeFrom NOK 1 500 per personBook with 5% off →Private · 4 HoursPrivate Snowshoe HikeFrom NOK 12 000 per group (private)Book with 5% off →Small group · 5-8 HoursNorthern Lights TourFrom NOK 2 300 per personBook with 5% off →

Code HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 works on every Legendary Adventure tour booked online. We are Legendary Adventure’s partner and may earn a small commission — it never changes your price.