Stetind is located at the end of Stefjorden in Narvik Municipality, Nordland, about 17 km north of Kjøpsvik. To reach it, fly into Evenes Airport, rent a car, and drive approximately 140 km south along the E6 via Narvik to Stetind. Alternatively, take the airport shuttle to Narvik and be picked up by guides for a scenic drive to the mountain. If traveling from the north by car, drive 60 km south from Narvik, turn onto Riksvei 827 after the Efjord bridges, and continue about 20 km to the Stetind parking area at the foot of the mountain. From the south, follow the E6 to Riksvei 827, turn towards Drag 15 km north of Innhavet, take the ferry from Drag to Kjøpsvik, and follow Riksvei 827 to the rest area at Stetind.

• Season: Climbing trips to Stetind are conducted from July to September.
• Duration: The climb takes 8-12 hours in total. It takes approximately 3 hours to walk from the parking area to Halls fortopp, followed by 2 hours of climbing to the summit. The return trip takes a similar amount of time.
• Weather Conditions: The climb is only conducted in good weather with dry conditions.
• Route: The standard route is excellent for beginners in traditional climbing, featuring a ridge walk and a short, exposed 20-meter climbing section known as Fingertupptraversen (Grade 4+).
• Group Size: Each guide accommodates a maximum of 2 participants.

The Narvik region offers a diverse range of accommodation options, from modern hotels and charming guesthouses to fjord-side rorbuer, campgrounds, lodges, glass igloos, and more. Explore various options and find the perfect place for your stay here: Accomodation

Stetind was first climbed in 1910 by Ferdinand Schjelderup, Carl Wilhelm Rubenson, and Alf Bonnevie Bryn. Inspired by a photograph from British mountaineer William Cecil Slingsby, the three Norwegians reached the summit on July 30, 1910, Rubenson’s 25th birthday. They followed a challenging route from the south and hoisted the Norwegian flag at the top, marking a significant milestone in Norwegian mountaineering.

Since then, Stetind has been climbed numerous times, with increasingly challenging routes explored by later climbers. A quarter-century after the first ascent, Arne Næss introduced bolted climbing in Norway. In the 1930s, Næss tackled several technical routes to the summit and, in 1963, led the first winter ascent of the mountain via the East Face.

Stetind is part of the area's ancient bedrock, exposed through erosion and time. The mountain is primarily composed of Precambrian rocks like granite gneisses, schists, and metamorphosed sandstone, formed about 1800 million years ago. The Tysfjord massif, including Stetind, is known for its coarse pegmatites with minerals that can reach several meters in size. These rocks are part of the Trans-Scandinavian Magmatic Belt, stretching from Sweden beneath the Caledonian covers. The mountain’s dramatic pyramidal shape was sculpted over eons by glaciers, which have carved out U-shaped valleys, lakes, deep fjords, and sharp peaks. The glacier-polished slopes bear clear striations, marking the power of glacial erosion.

The Tale of the Giant Bird

Long ago, a giant bird made its nest on Stetind, constructing it from branches, driftwood, and even small boats from the fjord. When the chicks hatched, neither people nor livestock were safe from the bird’s hunger. An old Sámi man watched helplessly as the giant bird stole his goats and sheep. He couldn’t reach it with arrows or axes, so he devised a plan. He wrapped himself in a large sheep skin, took a kettle, flint, steel, and some food, and hid in the skin. When the giant bird came to seize him, it flew him to the chicks but then dove from the mountain top to steal more food. The man escaped, set fire to the nest, and used the kettle to cook his food in water that turned to gold. He filled his bag with the gold and safely descended. The giant bird was never seen again.
 

Source: "Lulesamiske eventyr og sagn" by Torbjørn Storjord.

Stetind - Norway's National Mountain by Asgeir Kvalvik

Discover the secrets of Norway’s most majestic peak from the comfort of your home. This book reveals the mountain’s mysteries, its landscape, geology, eco-philosophy, climbing routes, photo tips, and much more. Find it here at ark.no

In the 1970s, eco-philosophy gained significant traction in Norway, addressing the environmental impacts of economic growth. Thinkers like Nils Faarlund, Sigmund Kvaløy Setreng, and Norway’s most renowned philosopher, Arne Næss, have influenced international thought and are summarized in the Stetind Declaration: a powerful call for environmental consciousness in our times. Norway has played a notable historical role in the global environmental movement, and the declaration covers 11 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.