When

The best hiking period in Finnmark is between mid-June to September.

Hiking possibilities

Accessible and exciting hiking areas can be found all along the western and northern coast of Finnmark. Outside Hammerfest, the world's northernmost town, is Sørøya, an island with marked hiking trails in open landscape next to the Barents Sea. You will also find large sandy beaches and sand dunes here. Hiking trips on Sørøya are day trips and can be done by taking the first speedboat in the morning and returning in the afternoon (see below).

Or take the hike from Hammerfest up to Mikkelgammen, a Sami settlement, and get to learn about Sami culture. 

Take Hurtigruten in the early morning from Hammerfest to Honningsvåg and then to the starting point for the hike to the Knivskjellodden on the island of Magerøya, the northernmost point in Europe. The return trip takes about five hours and a guide is not required. You can also visit the North Cape, only two kilometres away.

To walk to Europe's northernmost mainland point, Kinnarodden, you must go to Norkynhalvøya. The hike is 24 kilometres long and goes through the flat plateau with beautiful stone and lichen, bush and Arctic vegetation. Often you can see herds of reindeer. By the Kinnarodden you find the beautiful Sandfjorden, where sheltered valleys hide lakes brimming with fish. You can walk one way and take the boat back. The path is marked on GPS systems and the tourist information centres in Kjøllefjord, and Mehamn have maps and additional information.

Guided hikes

To arrange a guided hike take contact with hammerfest-turist.no  or arcticcoast.no .

Accommodation

Hammerfest has both hotels and hostels. Accommodation is available in hotels or country houses in Honningsvåg, while simple accommodation can be found on the northwest side of Sørøya. Further information is available from hammerfest-turist.no. 

In the region Nordkynhalvøya you may contact visitnordkyn.no. In this region you also may stay overnight in sami tent (lavvu) and lighthouse – contact arcticcoast.no.

How to get there

Sørøya is reached by speedboat from Hammerfest to Akkarfjord - a village on the northeast coast of the island. Hammerfest can be reached by plane from Oslo, or by Hurtigruten. To reach Nordkynhalvøya, fly from Oslo via Tromsø to Mehamn, or take the Hurtigruten to Mehamn or Kjøllefjord. You need a car for the hike to Knivskjellodden.