Breivikeidet — husky farms and the Lyngen ferry crossing

Quick answer: Breivikeidet is a small ferry terminal and scattered settlement on the southern shore of Balsfjord, 38 km and about 35–40 minutes south of Tromsø on the E8. Its two main purposes for visitors are: (1) catching the ferry across Ullsfjord to Svensby on the Lyngen peninsula — the fastest route to the Lyngen Alps; and (2) the husky dog sled farms located in the hills around the settlement. Several well-established operators run dog sled tours from Breivikeidet.

Where	Balsfjord, 38 km / 35–40 min south of Tromsø on E8
Cost	Dog sledding around 2 200–2 500 NOK; ferry around 130–150 NOK per car
Time needed	Half day (dog sledding) or a short stop en route to Lyngen
Getting there	Self-drive E8, or transfer included with the tour
Best time	December–March for dog sledding; year-round for the ferry crossing

Getting to Breivikeidet

Drive south from Tromsø on E8 for 38 km. The journey takes 35–40 minutes on a clear road; allow 45–55 minutes in ice or heavy snow. The ferry terminal is signed from the main road. Parking at the ferry terminal is free.

The city bus 290 to Fagernes passes through Breivikeidet and takes about 50 minutes from Tromsø, but the schedule is infrequent (4–6 departures per day). For dog sledding, transfers from Tromsø are usually included in the tour price.

Dog sledding at Breivikeidet

Breivikeidet is one of the established hubs for self-drive dog sled tours near Tromsø, with several family-run operations offering a quieter, less industrial experience than Camp Tamok. The sled runs use the forest and hill terrain above the fjord, typically running 10–20 km circuits.

Husky self-drive dog sledding from Breivikeidet — half-day self-drive experience from the Breivikeidet farms; includes transfer from Tromsø and hot drinks at the finish.

A typical half-day tour: arrive at the farm by transfer at 10:00, briefing on sled technique and dog care (30 minutes), 2-hour self-drive sled run through forest and across frozen lakes, hot chocolate and reindeer soup at the farm tent, return to Tromsø by 15:30. Cost: 2 200–2 500 NOK per person.

The dogs here are working sled dogs — primarily Alaskan huskies and Siberian huskies — used for competitive racing as well as tours. The farms are typically smaller than Camp Tamok, with 50–120 dogs versus Camp Tamok’s 200+.

Husky sled self-drive with traditional lunch — longer version including a sit-down traditional Norwegian lunch at the farm.

The Breivikeidet–Svensby ferry

The car ferry runs from Breivikeidet across Ullsfjord to Svensby on the Lyngen peninsula. Crossing time is 15 minutes. The ferry runs roughly every 30–60 minutes during operating hours; check the current timetable at Norled’s website (free and up to date). Price for a car and driver: approximately 130–150 NOK.

This crossing is the fastest route from Tromsø to the Lyngen Alps — it saves 30–40 minutes compared to driving all the way around via Nordkjosbotn. All snowmobile and ski touring groups heading to Lyngen from Tromsø use this ferry. In winter, arrive 15–20 minutes before your desired departure as the ferry can fill with cars.

Occasionally the ferry is cancelled in severe weather (strong winds on the fjord). If this happens, the drive-around alternative via Nordkjosbotn adds 40–50 minutes. Check Norled’s website or the notice board at the terminal.

What else is in Breivikeidet

Very little beyond the ferry terminal and the dog sled farms. There is a small petrol station at the junction with E8. No restaurants, no tourist infrastructure. The landscape of Balsfjord visible from the settlement is attractive in winter — steep fjord walls, ice formations on the shore, and the long blue twilight of the polar day around noon.

Aurora chasing in this direction from Tromsø (driving southeast and parking at Breivikeidet) can be productive on clear nights, as the fjord gives an open northern sky.

The winter landscape between Tromsø and Breivikeidet

The E8 drive south from Tromsø to Breivikeidet passes through the Ramfjord and Balsfjord valleys — a succession of narrow fjord channels flanked by mountains that grow increasingly dramatic as you head south. In winter, the road is dark (no motorway lighting south of Tromsø), the mountains white, and the fjord ice sometimes visible in the inner bays. This section of road is used by aurora tour buses for a reason — on clear nights it gives excellent sky access with very little light pollution from the road itself.

In January and February, the blue-hour twilight around 11:00–13:00 casts a remarkable cold blue across the Balsfjord when the sky is clear. Pulling off the E8 at one of the viewpoints above the fjord in this window — a tripod, long exposure, and the fjord below — produces one of the most characteristic “Arctic Norway in winter” images.

Competitive dog racing background

Breivikeidet is part of the competitive sled dog racing ecosystem of the Tromsø region. Several farms in the area keep racing-class Alaskan huskies alongside the tour teams. If you visit between December and March, you may see training runs on the hill tracks — not choreographed for tourists, but actual race preparation. The Finnmarksløpet, which starts in Alta, draws many of its Norwegian competitors from training grounds in this corridor.

This context matters for understanding the dog sled experience here. The animals are athletic working dogs, not pets. Interaction before and after the run is standard (feeding, touching), but the dogs’ primary relationship is with their trainer, not with tour guests. Well-run farms make this clear in their briefings.

Practical notes for the ferry crossing

The Breivikeidet–Svensby ferry accepts cars, motorcycles, and foot passengers. Booking in advance is not required — it is a turn-up-and-board service. In summer and during ski touring season (March–April), the ferry can be busy with vehicles and you may wait for one extra crossing. The terminal has a small café shelter; no toilets at the terminal building itself — use facilities at the dog sled farms or in Tromsø before leaving.

The Svensby landing has a small kiosk open in summer. In winter, plan to be self-sufficient for the Lyngen side of the trip.

Aurora watching from the Balsfjord section of E8

The E8 road between Tromsø and Breivikeidet runs through the Ramfjord and Balsfjord valleys, both of which are productive aurora corridors. Aurora tour minibuses regularly pull off this road to view and photograph the lights — not just continuing to Breivikeidet. Several specific lay-bys along this section are known to local guides:

• Ramfjord viewpoint (km ~20 south of Tromsø): wide northern sky, fjord reflection on calm nights.
• Balsfjord lake viewpoint (km ~32): still water in front, open horizon to the north, excellent for reflection shots.
• Breivikeidet shore (at the ferry terminal): the fjord view to the northwest is good; combine with a walk to the shore below the terminal.

If you are self-driving for aurora, the Breivikeidet direction is one of the three main escape corridors from Tromsø’s light pollution (alongside Malangen and the Tamok Valley). On nights when the KP index is 3 or higher, aurora is visible from almost anywhere on this road — pull over safely and set up your tripod.

The dog sled training season and what to expect

The Breivikeidet husky farms begin the training season in October, once the first snow falls on the hills above the fjord. Before the full sled season opens in December, you may see dogs running in harness with wheeled training carts if you visit in October or November — an unusual sight and a good indication of the farm’s activity level.

The peak sled season is January–March. The best overall experience — most snow, best trail conditions, good daylight window for the sled run — is in late January and February. Early-season December runs can have marginal snow on the lower sections; late-season April runs often have softening snow that makes the dogs work harder and the sleds slower.

All the Breivikeidet farms provide a full warmsuit, boots, helmet, and gloves as part of the tour price. You need only show up in your regular layers — the outerwear provided is rated for the conditions. Bring your own hand warmers if your extremities are sensitive to cold.

Combining Breivikeidet with Lyngen Alps

The most common route is:

1. Drive to Breivikeidet (40 min from Tromsø)
2. Board the ferry to Svensby (15 min crossing)
3. Drive south on the Lyngen peninsula for 30–45 minutes to the snowmobile or skiing departure point
4. Activity (2–5 hours depending on tour)
5. Return ferry to Breivikeidet
6. Drive north to Tromsø

Total time from Tromsø including activity: 6–9 hours for a half to full-day snowmobile safari. See our Lyngen Alps guide for full activity details.

For a longer Lyngen loop combining dog sledding at Breivikeidet with snowmobiling in Lyngen on the same day, see our Lyngen adventure weekend itinerary.

Guided husky sledding with traditional lunch — passenger sled option (no self-drive) with a sit-down Sami-style lunch, useful if you would rather sit back and let a musher handle the dogs.

Choosing Breivikeidet over the other dog sled hubs

Tromsø’s dog sledding is spread across three main hubs — Breivikeidet, Kvaløya, and Camp Tamok in the Tamok Valley — and first-time visitors often struggle to pick between them since the marketing looks similar. Breivikeidet’s advantage is scale and character: it is a genuine working dog racing corridor rather than a purpose-built tourist camp, so what you see is closer to the sport as locals practise it. Kvaløya is the closest option to the city centre if minimising transfer time matters most. Camp Tamok has the widest activity mix (ice domes, snowmobiling, and dog sledding on the same site) if you want to combine several winter activities in one location rather than driving to separate hubs.

If your priority is purely the ferry crossing to Lyngen and dog sledding is secondary, Breivikeidet is the only one of the three hubs that sits directly on the Lyngen route — Kvaløya and Camp Tamok both require a detour back through Tromsø first.

Frequently asked questions about Breivikeidet

Is there anything to do at Breivikeidet besides dog sledding?

The ferry crossing is the other main attraction — particularly scenic in winter and free if you are a foot passenger. The surrounding Balsfjord area has unmarked hiking terrain in summer. Otherwise, Breivikeidet is a transit and activity point, not a destination in its own right.

How do I book dog sledding at Breivikeidet?

Through the operator websites or via GetYourGuide. The main operators have their own online booking systems; the tours often appear under the “Tromsø” location tag since they offer city-centre pickup. Book 1–3 weeks ahead in peak season (January–March).

How long does the Lyngen ferry take from Breivikeidet?

15 minutes crossing time. Add 10–15 minutes waiting time if you miss your ferry. The ferry typically runs every 30–60 minutes during daytime; evening frequency reduces. Check the timetable before planning a late return.

Is the Breivikeidet dog sledding better or worse than Camp Tamok?

Different rather than better or worse. Camp Tamok has more dogs, more activities, the ice domes, and higher commercial polish. Breivikeidet farms are smaller and more personal — better for people who want a more intimate farm experience rather than a production-line tour. Prices are similar.

Can I miss the Lyngen ferry and get stranded?

No — if you miss one ferry you wait for the next (typically 30–60 minutes). If the ferry is cancelled entirely due to weather, you drive around. This is rarely an overnight issue — the ferry cancellation condition would need to be severe enough to also affect the E8 road driving. Always have the drive-around alternative in mind for peace of mind.

What are the dog sledding conditions in Breivikeidet?

The farms run when snow is reliable in the hills above the fjord — typically late December to late March. Early and late season can be marginal; January to mid-March is the safest window. Most operators contact guests in advance if conditions are poor and offer rescheduling. Read our dog sledding season guide for timing details.

Is Breivikeidet suitable for a first dog sledding experience?

Yes — most farms offer a guided passenger option alongside self-drive, and the briefing covers basic sled control before the run starts. If you would rather not steer a sled yourself, ask specifically for a guided passenger tour with lunch rather than the self-drive version — see our self-drive vs. passenger dog sledding guide for the difference.

Should I book Breivikeidet dog sledding or the Kvaløya option?

Both are close to Tromsø and similarly priced. Kvaløya is a few minutes closer to the city centre; Breivikeidet farms tend to be smaller, family-run operations with a stronger connection to competitive sled dog racing. Neither is objectively better — choose based on transfer time versus atmosphere. See our Kvaløya guide for comparison.