Take this wild detour when you are on your way to the North Cape! From birch forests and rugged cliffs to fjords, intriguing sculptures, Sami culture and a small fishing village at 71° north. Experience the breathtaking Norwegian Scenic Route Havøysund, far off the beaten track.
Norwegian Scenic Route
Havøysund
A wild journey to 71° north
Ready to travel to the "end of the world"?
The Norwegian Scenic Route Havøysund, one of 18 Norwegian Scenic Routes, takes you to the edge of Europe, almost as far north as you can get.
Explore remote islands, raw Arctic nature and striking viewpoints.
A drive to 71° north
The Norwegian Scenic Route Havøysund runs from Kokelv to the fishing village of Havøysund in remote northern Finnmark. If you're heading to the North Cape, this can definitely be a memorable, and less crowded, detour!
The 67-kilometre route offers spectacular views of a dramatic, rugged Arctic coastline, where the Barents Sea meets steep, rocky cliffs. Maybe you catch a glimpse of reindeer or sea eagles?
When you reach the end of the route, the fishing village of Havøysund awaits. Stay at least one night and experience life at 71° north.
From Havøysund, you can also explore the surrounding islands with opportunities for outdoor activities, including fishing.
The easiest way to reach the Scenic Route is to fly to Alta and rent a car. Direct flights from Oslo take around 2 hours. From Alta Airport, rent a car and drive to Kokelv, the starting point of the scenic route. The total drive from Alta to Havøysund takes approximately 2 to 3 hours through stunning Arctic nature.
You can book plane tickets with Norwegian, Widerøe or SAS.
Kokelv in the south is the starting point for your Arctic adventure.
Before heading to Havøysund, explore Sami coastal culture, and make your first stop at the Kokelv Coastal Sámi Museum. Here, you can learn about the history, local culture and traditional clothing of the coastal Sami.
Please note that visits to the museum must be arranged in advance.
A further 3-kilometre drive takes you to the Storberget viewpoint.
At this place, you can enjoy majestic views of the fjord and the Arctic Ocean, or go for a hike. The rest area is situated on a plateau above the Russelva river.
About halfway along the route, you'll reach Lillefjord.
The rest area features a footbridge with an integrated shelter, service facilities and benches. From the bridge, a footpath follows the river to the "Love Bench" near the Lillefjord waterfall.
A stop at the village of Snefjord could be a great choice. Where the Snefjordelva flows into Snefjorden, you’ll find a small rest area.
And if the weather turns bad, don’t worry! You can sit in one of the cosy boxed-in benches while listening to the rain or hiding from the wind.
If you enjoy sculptures and art surrounded by Arctic landscapes, make sure to visit Selvika, a sunny bay further along the road, about 15 minutes before you reach Havøysund.
This rest area is shaped like a concrete sculpture, where a gently curving walkway guides visitors down to the sandy beach. Pretty cool, right?
You can also follow the marked cultural trail in Selvika, where archaeological traces of human settlement date back around 6,000 years.
Now, the final stop of the route: Havøysund – at the edge of the Barents Sea!
Located at 71° north on the coast of Finnmark, Havøysund is a small, active fishing village where fewer than 1,000 people live. The village also has a remarkable history – it was burned down during World War II.
Havøysund may be tiny, but it has a church, charming wooden houses and picturesque surroundings to explore.
Ready to discover more? The journey continues below!
Just before you reach the village centre of Havøysund, you’ll find Roni Horn's art installation at Ørahaugen.
The artwork consists of two large cylindrical glass objects housed in an architect-designed wooden building. These objects can be experienced differently throughout the year as the Arctic light changes.
For a memorable view, take a 30-minute walk or an 8-minute drive to Havøygavlen, the highest point on the island, where several wind turbines stand.
Here, at the edge of the Barents Sea, you can enjoy panoramic views of the sea and the surrounding islands. Imagine looking out under the midnight sun, almost as far north as the North Cape!
If you’re hungry, stop by Arctic View restaurant for a coffee or a bite to eat while taking in the stunning nature.
When it’s time to rest, Havøysund Hotel & Rorbuer offers a comfortable stay in the centre of Havøysund, right by the sea.
You can also enjoy a relaxing sauna or rent a boat to explore the surrounding waters during your stay.
After the winding coastal road and countless Arctic viewpoints, Havøysund feels like a fitting end to the journey.
But, if you’re keen to explore beyond Havøysund, you could take a detour to the islands of Rolvsøya, Ingøya or Måsøya on the Måsøyekspressen (Måsøy express boat) from Havøysund.
The boat’s route and schedule can vary from day to day, so it’s worth planning your trip in advance. The islands have limited infrastructure, making them ideal for visitors looking to experience Arctic nature at its most remote.
On Ingøya island, you can experience views of Fruholmen Lighthouse, the world’s northernmost lighthouse, located on the nearby island of Fruholmen.
Rolvsøya island is rich in idyllic coastal landscapes, teeming with wildlife and plant life. You might spot wild sheep, hares and a variety of birds during your trip.
Be sure to visit Tufjord, a cosy little fishing village on the island! For a place to unwind, head to Tufjord Brygge. Stay in one of the traditional sea houses or apartments, or spend a night in tørrfiskloftet (the stockfish loft).
If fishing is your thing, you can rent fishing equipment and boats at Tufjord Brygge. The waters around Rolvsøya are home to halibut, cod, coalfish, plaice and common dab, among others.
However, remember to check the local fishing rules before you cast your line.
If you'd rather go for a hike, take the marked trail to Stopparfjord on Rolvsøya. The hike takes approximately 2–3 hours in total and takes you through untouched nature, fishing lakes, and towards sand dunes and sandy beaches.
Meanwhile Måsøya offers peaceful coastal landscapes and long, white sandy beaches – perfect for a refreshing dip. Not a bad way to end your northern adventure!
Do you want to travel even a tiny bit farther north? Combine the Scenic Route Havøysund with a drive up the western side of the Porsangerfjord peninsula, and visit the North Cape and Honningsvåg. The very edge of Europe!
What to do at the North Cape
Find things to do while you're there!
Nice to know before you go
The Norwegian Scenic Route Havøysund is open all year round, but summer is the recommended season to travel. Keep in mind that autumn and winter can arrive early in this area. However, whenever you visit, the different seasons offer different experiences. In winter, bring warm clothing and plan carefully to make sure your journey is as safe and enjoyable as possible. The scenic route crosses exposed coastal and mountain terrain, where weather conditions and strong winds can change quickly. Be aware that reindeer may be found inside tunnels. Before travelling, check the latest road and traffic information from Statens Vegvesen (the Norwegian Public Roads Administration).
Food and lodging options are limited along the route, so it’s a good idea to bring snacks and drinks and plan your accommodation in advance. However, in Havøysund, you’ll find places to enjoy a meal after your journey through the Arctic landscape.
If you still can’t get enough of the wild, Arctic nature and stunning viewpoints, the Norwegian Coastal Express Route, Hurtigruten, arrives at Havøysund every day. Hurtigruten connects Havøysund with destinations such as Tromsø, Honningsvåg and Kirkenes.
If you go all the way east, you can continue along Scenic Route Varanger.
Biking
If you go by bike, the route follows the coastline, but includes a few steep hills across the fell. Be prepared for strong winds. It's also possible to combine the Norwegian Scenic Route Havøysund with National Cycle Route 1. The route also coincides with EuroVelo 1 "Atlantic Coast Route". Please note that the route is not signposted as a dedicated cycle route.
Source: Norwegian Scenic Routes
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