This short hike starts from the dog kennel just outside of Longyearbyen. From there, we ascend the hill and follow the quite exposed ridge for ~1.5 hours to an elevation of 457 meters. At the edge of the plateau, we are met with a view over Advent Valley and the fjord and will experience the peacefulness of the Arctic. This rich glacial valley is characteristic of Svalbard and provides us with opportunities to learn about the diverse tundra ecosystem.
Below us, you can see a small reservoir which supplies drinking water to Longyearbyen and the remnants of the suspended cable wagon system that was used to transport coal from the mines to the port.
After spending time on top of the plateau, we can either descend following the same route or through the narrow Gruve Valley, which brings us back to the starting point. This depends on the season, and we go via the alternative way only in case the conditions allow.
While this short excursion is not our most demanding hike, it’s not for beginners either. There are no prepared trails on Svalbard and the terrain might pretty uneven. You’ll need sturdy hiking shoes, sure-footedness and reasonable fitness for this excursion. Some of our guests struggle with the height fear during this trip.
