Indre Wijdefjorden National Park

Indre Wijdefjorden National Park is a national park protecting the inner part of Wijdefjorden, Svalbard's longest fjord.

Understand

Get in

You can only visit the park by boat.

Fees and permits

Apart from the 150-kr fee you'll need to pay when entering Svalbard, you will need to report to the governor, including signing a special insurance policy to cover any search and rescue costs were you to get lost.

Get around

Motorised vehicles are banned within Indre Wijdefjorden National Park as with any other Norwegian national park, but cycling is also banned. However, snowmobiles are permitted, but temporary bans can be imposed. Otherwise, hiking is a good way to get around the park, especially to the nearby Perriertoppen and Åsgårdsfonna. Like in the rest of Svalbard, outside settlements, you will need to carry a rifle with you for self-defence, but remember that polar bears are protected here and should only be used as a last resort.

See

• 1 Einsteinvatnet. Named after Albert Einstein, it is perhaps the only main point of interest within the park apart from the fjord itself containing Arctic char, a cold-water fish. (updated Jul 2022)

Do

There's not much to do in Indre Wijdefjorden National Park – after all, the park was established mainly for conservation in a place so desolate without tourism in mind. Hunting is only permitted with permission from the governor whilst fishing is prohibited.

There are no well established hiking trails within the park. The only good suitable place for hiking is on a few beaches by the fjord, but that's about it. Otherwise, it's all backcountry hiking.

Buy, eat and drink

There are no restaurants, shops, bars or anything alike in this desolate, remote park. As hunting is only permitted with permission from the governor, you'll likely need to bring all your supplies with you.

Sleep

There are no lodging facilities nor are there any campgrounds in Indre Wijdefjorden National Park.

Go next

Svalbard's highest peak, 2 Newtontoppen can be hiked from the eastern end of the park.