Bardu: Culture, Skiing and Nature

When planning a trip to Bardu, it is worth considering the different areas of interest: Setermoen combines a prominent location on the road network with a wooden church and the Steilia Alpine Centre near Setermoen; the municipality also has museums, hiking destinations and Rohkunborri National Park. These destinations are not all in the same place.

Setermoen as a point of reference

Setermoen is at the junction of the E6 and County Road 847. The E6 runs through Bardudalen, while the county road passes through Østerdalen to Innset. These road connections help put Setermoen and destinations elsewhere in the municipality in geographical context.

Bardu Church is centrally located in Setermoen on the E6 in Inner Troms. The wooden church was first used in 1829 and is a smaller copy of Tynset Church. For those interested in culture, it offers a specific location in Setermoen with a clear architectural context: its construction, date of origin and architectural model are all connected.

Winter sports near Setermoen

The Steilia Alpine Centre is near Setermoen and has several slopes and ski lifts, snowmaking and lighting systems, as well as ski rental. The slopes are described as varied and cater to both beginners and experienced alpine skiers. This makes it possible to include the centre in your winter plans based on specific features: its offering includes not only the slopes, but also the lifts, facilities and rental service mentioned above.

Museums and regional history

Bardu Bygdetun is in the vicinity of Setermoen. The site includes historic buildings, most of which date from the 1860s, a large collection of objects and a mineral museum with an extensive collection of minerals from around the world. Between May and September, the Bygdetun is open to groups and school classes by request. If you plan to visit during this period, make the appropriate enquiry.

The Troms Defence Museum in Bardu municipality is devoted to the military history of the county, particularly the army, the Battle of Narvik and the Second World War. Its collection includes military history vehicles from the Second World War, the German Brigades and the Brigade in Northern Norway. The largest armoured vehicles are displayed outdoors; smaller light vehicles can be viewed in the garages by arrangement. This distinction is important when planning a visit if you specifically want to see the smaller vehicles.

Trails, tours and activities

The Mayor’s Tour leads to the shelter at the summit of Langbakkan. It can be reached from both the centre of Setermoen and Storlømyra ski stadium. To get to the ski stadium, travel about 1.5 kilometres north from the centre of Setermoen. Turn left off the E6 and follow the signs; there is a car park at the stadium. The route can be travelled by car, sled, bicycle or on foot. As access and parking details may change, check the information before setting out.

In Bardu municipality, Stikk UT!-Bardu offers free participation through an app with tour descriptions, maps and GPS tracks. You need a user account and must register your hikes. The programme and available tours vary by season, so check the app’s current status before planning. Strømsør Fjellgård can also be reached on foot: a path leads there from the main road in about 30 minutes.

Another activity in the municipality is Finnkroken Golf Park in Nedre Bardu. The 9-hole parkland golf course has narrow fairways and varied terrain. Its course profile is therefore quite different from the hiking and winter sports options described above.

Scenery in Bardu municipality

Rohkunborri National Park lies in the far south of Bardu municipality, between Altevatnet and the Swedish border. In the west, it includes the upper part of Sørdalen, with deep ravines and high, partly glaciated mountains. The transition from ravine to mountains shapes the park’s landscape and invites visitors to hike in this setting. Altevatnet, Sørdalen and Bones are listed as access points. Check road and seasonal conditions before travelling there.

Polar Park is also in Bardu and keeps Nordic predators and hoofed animals in spacious, naturalistic enclosures. Together with the destinations near Setermoen, the museums and the trails elsewhere in the municipality, it offers a range of geographical highlights to consider when planning a trip. When choosing your accommodation, consider which of these places and activities will be the focus of your stay.

For the broader travel overview: Bardu.