From birch forests and rugged cliffs to fjords, cool sculptures, Sámi costumes and a fishing village at 71° north, experience the breathtaking Norwegian Scenic Route Havøysund, far off the beaten track.
Norwegian Scenic Route
Havøysund
Experience the dramatic, rural landscapes of Northern Norway
Ready to discover somewhere truly unique?
The Norwegian Scenic Route Havøysund, one of 18 Norwegian Scenic Routes, takes you through some of the true gems of the far north. Remote islands unknown to many, beautiful Arctic nature, striking viewpoints and many other highlights are waiting for you!
A drive to 71° north
The Norwegian Scenic Route Havøysund runs from Kokelv to the fishing village of Havøysund in remote northern Finnmark.
The 66-kilometre route offers spectacular views of a dramatic, rugged Arctic coastline, where the Arctic Ocean meets steep, rocky cliffs. The landmarks along the road are also well worth exploring. You may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of reindeer or sea eagles as well. Finally, when you reach the end of the route, Havøysund awaits – wild and beautiful. The village itself is a destination in its own right!
The easiest way to reach the Norwegian Scenic Route Havøysund is to fly to Alta. Direct flights from Oslo take around 2 hours, while flights from Bergen and Trondheim usually require a connection. From Alta Airport, rent a car and follow the E6 north to Olderfjord, then take the E69 towards Nordkapp for a few kilometres before turning towards Havøysund. The scenic route itself begins in the small village of Kokelv and ends in Havøysund. The 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.
Located at the southern end of the Norwegian Scenic Route Havøysund, Kokelv is the starting point for your Arctic adventure.
Before heading to Havøysund, explore Sámi coastal culture, and make your first stop at the Kokelv Coastal Sámi Museum located in Kokelv itself. Here, you can learn about the history, local culture and costumes of coastal Sámi.
A short drive further, around 3 kilometres, takes you to the Storberget viewpoint.
At this place you can enjoy majestic views of the fjord and the Arctic Ocean. The rest area is situated on a plateau above the Russelva river.
If you feel like going for a hike, you can enjoy both short and longer walks in the surrounding area.
Continue your journey towards Havøysund. 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.
Fancy some fishing along the way? 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 with good salmon fishing opportunities.
However, remember to check the local fishing rules and whether you need a fishing permit before you cast your line.
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 6000 years.
At the edge of the Barents Sea
Now, the final stop of the route – Havøysund!
Located at 71° north on the coast of Finnmark, Havøysund is a small fishing village where around 1100 people live. Fishing has long been at the heart of Havøysund, with seafood from the village reaching every corner of the world.
Havøysund may be tiny, but it has plenty to offer.
Ready to explore more? The journey continues below!
Explore Northern Finnmark!
Find fun activities in Northern Finnmark.
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.
Continue into the village centre and take some time to explore Havøysund, its church and charming wooden houses.
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.
Where to stay
Find a great place to stay in Northern Finnmark.
Alta
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, go birdwatching at Hjelmsøystauren on Hjelmsøya, one of Northern Europe’s largest bird cliffs!
Look out for seabirds such as Common Guillemot, European Shag, Atlantic Puffin and Razorbill.
Hjelmsøya has no public transport, so access must be arranged with local boat owners. From Havøysund, the bird cliffs are approximately a 1–2 hour journey by small boat, offering the opportunity to experience the magnificent birds from the sea.
Please keep a safe distance from the birds and avoid disturbing them during the breeding season. Follow your local boat operator’s advice.
For more island adventures, 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.
Meanwhile Måsøya offers peaceful coastal landscapes. Not a bad way to end your northern adventure!
Nice to know before you go
If you go by bike, the Norwegian Scenic Route Havøysund 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.
The road is open all year round. The scenic route crosses exposed coastal and mountain terrain, where weather conditions and strong winds can change quickly. Before travelling, visitors should check the latest road and traffic information from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen).
Food options are limited along the route, so it’s a good idea to bring snacks and drinks. 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, and you can bring your car on board when travelling port to port. Take the Hurtigruten east to Kirkenes, then drive to Varangerbotn to continue along the Norwegian Scenic Route Varanger – a route that takes you "to the end of the world".
Norwegian Scenic Routes
Explore the most beautiful drives in Norway! Find out what to experience along the routes, including lesser-known gems, accommodation, and wonderful detours.
