Location
Havøysund National Tourist Route is a 66-kilometre-long stretch of road between Kokelv and Havøysund in the county of Finnmark in Northern Norway.
The road
Experience the arctic light; the midnight sun in summer and the northern lights in winter.
The landscape here at 71 degrees north changes quickly from coast and fjord to plateaus and mountains. Locals have always lived from fishing. Fishing opportunities are everywhere, and the rich offshore fishing banks have turned the Arctic Ocean into Norway’s larder. Fishing, hunting and settlements in the area can be traced back 6,000 years.
After driving through a landscape that bears little trace of human activity, the little fishing hamlet of Havøysund comes as a surprise - a busy little community on the Finnmark coast, living from fishing, tourism, and arts and crafts. From Havøysund you can extend your trip by boat out to Rolvsøya and Ingøya in the Arctic Ocean.
Viewpoints along the road
There are three panoramic view- and rest areas made in collaboration with Havøysund National Tourist Route:
Lillefjord: A rest area with services and a nature trail. Lillefjordbotn and the valley leading inland are the most lush and verdant areas on the route, with birch woods and an idyllic stream with scenic waterfalls up on the hillside. The rest area and the path emphasize the qualities of the area and invite visitors to experience the countryside.
Snefjord: A rest area with boxed-in seating. The boxes are placed so that visitors are shielded from the wind, no matter what direction it comes from.
Selvika: A picnic area with toilets, a bicycle shed and barbecue area. The only accessible sandy beach on the road between Snefjord and Havøysund is at Selvika Bay. A lovely barbecue area down on the beach is accessible for wheelchair users and cyclists.
What to see
Havøysund is the centre of Norway's northernmost municipality and also one of the largest fishing villages in Norwegian Lapland.
Arctic View is a popular viewpoint for watching the Arctic Ocean and the midnight sun. Open in summer.
The world's northernmost windmill park was officially opened in June 2003. Havøygavlen Windmill Park consists of 16 wind turbines.
German peace friends erected Kokelv Chapel in 1960. The chapel is located on the road towards Havøysund.
The midnight sun is a natural phenomenon which draws many visitors to Northern Norway, where the sun does not set during the summer months. At the North Cape close to Havøysund you can see the midnight sun from 14 May to 29 July.
The northern lights belt hits Northern Norway in the Lofoten Islands, and follows the coast all the way up to the North Cape, close to the Havøysund National Tourist Route. The northern lights are at their most frequent in late autumn and winter/early spring.
What to do
Coastal culture is the theme at Måsøy Museum, which is located in the centre of Havøysund.
Kokelv Sjøhus is a good starting point for deep-sea-fishing, ice-fishing, grouse-hunting or hiking.
A half-hour hike to Havøygavlen leads to Havøya Island's highest point overlooking the Arctic Ocean and a great spot to see the midnight sun. This is also where the world's northernmost windmill park is situated (see above).
Read more about What to do in Finnmark.
Where to stay
At Claudines Gjestehus in Havøysund you can stay at the guesthouse or at the fisherman's cabins by the port.
Havøysund Hotel has 37 rooms and eight fisherman's cabins and is located in the centre of Havøysund.
Kokelv Sjøhus at Kokelv is an ideal base if you want to experience the nature in Finnmark. They offer rooms and apartments.
Read more about Where to stay in Finnmark.
Where to eat
At the Arctic View Restaurant you can eat delicious seafood and king crab. Open in summer only.
Havøysund Hotel (pages only in Norwegian) in Havøysund has a restaurant, bar, pub, disco and eatery.
Read more about Food in Finnmark.
Facts
- Road: Fv. 889 between Kokelv and Havøysund in the county of Finnmark.
Getting to Havøysund National Tourist Route
Havøysund, the region centre, is located at the north end of the Havøysund National Tourist Route.
The closest airport is Hammerfest, 167 kilometres from Havøysund. Hurtigruten ships to/from Hammerfest and Honningsvåg stop at the port of Havøysund. There are also daily bus service to/from Hammerfest, Alta, Honningsvåg and Lakselv.
- Distance between North Cape and Havøysund: 208 kilometres.
- Distance between Hammerfest and Havøysund: 167 kilometres.
- Distance between Alta and Havøysund: 196 kilometres
- Distance between Tromsø and Havøysund: 505 kilometres.
- Distance between Trondheim and Havøysund: 1,611 kilometres.
- Distance between Oslo and Havøysund: 2,105 kilometres.
Read more about Getting to Finnmark.
More information
National Tourist Routes in Norway
Destination Northern Norway and Finnmark.