In a nutshell

Leave the comfy life behind and try living like a miner from the early 1900s as you explore Gruve 3, one of Svalbard's historical mines. Get ready to discover how coal was extracted underground, and take home a unique souvenir you won't find in stores.

Main stops

Discover the beating heart of Gruve 3
Become a miner for a day (complete with overalls and helmet)

The programme

Forget the standard tourist excursions! Start with a comfortable car or bus transfer that will take you to Gruve 3 in just 10 minutes, where the cold of Svalbard is nothing compared to the heat of the life of a miner. Once you arrive, you'll be given your mining equipment: "lomp" suit, helmet and headlamp. What's missing? Just some dust and the spirit of adventure.

Step back into the past, wander among the abandoned machinery and tools and get ready to feel like one of those miners who worked their fingers to the bone with just a few centimeters of space above their heads to extract the coal. And don't worry - if you've always dreamed of feeling as small as a mole, you'll have the chance to crawl into a mining passage with a maximum height of 60-90 cm!

The route then takes you into a tunnel that dates back to the 1970s, where you'll walk through 800 meters of mining history and discover two side tunnels which are home to historic sites, including the entrance to Svalbard's first seed bank and the Arctic World Archive. But the moment of pure adrenaline really kicks in when you switch off your lamp and stare into the total darkness of the mine. An experience that will make you appreciate the light like never before! At the end of the experience, you will have the honor of taking a piece of coal with you as a souvenir: an authentic fragment of Longyearbyen's history. Because, be honest - who doesn't dream of having a lump of coal as a souvenir?

Good to know

Minimum age: 12 years.
Wear appropriate hiking shoes and clothing for the trail, without forgetting a light, windproof jacket.
Excursion not suitable for those who suffer from claustrophobia.
Not recommended for people with reduced mobility.
This experience includes visits to ecologically sensitive areas and historical sites. Guests are advised to follow the instructions of the guide, and stay on the paths so as to safeguard the local flora.