Tempelfjorden

Tempelfjorden, the inner branch of Sassenfjorden off Isfjorden, between Sabine Land and Bunsow Land, ends at the front of the Tunabreen glacier, with Templet rising above its mouth, a mountain whose horizontal sedimentary layers give it the cathedral-like look the fjord is named for. In cold winters the inner fjord freezes and the ice becomes the route in by snowmobile; in summer boats run to the glacier front. Ringed seals pup on the ice and bears follow them. Between 2002 and 2015 the sailing ship Noorderlicht was deliberately frozen into the fjord each winter.

Highlights

• The Tunabreen front - the glacier calving at the head of the fjord.
• Templet - the layered mountain the fjord takes its name from.
• The fjord ice - the winter surface used as the route in by snowmobile.
• The ringed seals - the pupping on the ice that draws polar bears.

When to go

March to May is the snowmobile season if the fjord has frozen. June to September is the boat season. Fjord ice has become unreliable in recent years.

Good to know

The inner fjord no longer freezes reliably and snowmobile access has failed in several recent winters. Polar bear risk means a guide and firearm are required outside the settlements. Weather cancels trips regularly.

Nearby

Fredheim is on the fjord shore, and Longyearbyen is southwest.

Key facts