The Hammerfest region has many great and varied hiking opportunities. At least the locals are eager to get out for a walk!
When you're out on a trip, it's also much easier to get to know the locals, as you like to greet strangers as soon as you're on the mountain. In Finnmark, we have something called "pearl tours", which are marked hiking trails with "pearls" that you can collect and register in an app. This registration has proven that Hammerfestingene are keen hikers, and that several of the region's hiking destinations are on the top list over popular destinations throughout Finnmark. So pack your quick lunch and go to one of our open hiking huts, white sand dunes or historical monuments. In summer, you have the whole day, because then the midnight sun ensures that it is bright all night. So there is no excuse not to.
PS! This list comes with recommendations only. Tour descriptions can be found at ut.no or in the ut.no app (DNT).
1. Tyven, Hammerfest (mountain with open mountain hut)
Test out Tyventrappa, the new sherpa steps that take you up to Tyven. At the top, you can visit this award-winning day trip cabin, where the view can be enjoyed sheltered from wind and weather. It takes approx. 1 hour to walk the short path to Tyven (including Tyventrappa), but you should allow at least 3 hours for the whole trip, so you have time to take some photos of the view at the top! If you prefer to cycle, you can follow the 8 kilometer long dirt road to Tyven instead. From the top you can see large parts of Hammerfest, Rypefjord, Sørøya and Seiland!
2. Kjøttvikvarden, Sørøya (Mountain with cairn)
"Kjøttvikvarden" is Norway's highest stone cairn, at a whopping 12.5 metres! It was built in 1853 by order of the king. You can start your trip to Kjøttvikvarden from Akkarfjord or Gamvik Gård on Sørøya. It takes between 1.5-2.5 hours one way, depending on which route you choose. The trail is marked with red "T"s, but be aware of the weather before you set off. It is easy to get lost on Sørøya if the sea fog rolls in over land.
3. Ytre Forsøl, Hammerfest (Sandstrand)
One of the easiest walks in the region goes to an idyllic little oasis with a hidden sandy beach. If you are lucky enough to visit Hammerfest on a hot summer day, you will probably meet many local families with children here. Bring your bathing suit, a picnic blanket, and enjoy a day on a sandy arctic beach. If you venture out for a swim, you can't exactly expect a warm temperature in the sea, but you know you're alive! It takes approx. 20 minutes to walk to Ytre Forsøl one way, and running shoes are also recommended as you have to cross a small mountain.
4. Varden, Havøysund (mountain)
This trip is considered an easy year-round trip! In winter, however, snowshoes or skis can be an advantage. At the cairn above Havøysund you get a spectacular 360-degree view all around you. Here you can see Havøysund, the wind farm and all the islands of Hjelmsøya and Måsøy, among other things! The trip takes approx. 1 hour.
5. Handelstinden, Kvalsund (mountain)
From Kvalsund, you can follow a nicely marked hiking trail up to Handelstinden, where you get a good overview of the village, the fjord and Trollvannet. At Trollvannet there is a pleasant bench where you can relax along the path, or take a dip. In autumn clothes, this tour is very nice! You should allow 2-3 hours for the trip in total, in slow increments.
6. Storvannet, Seiland (mountains and fishing lake)
From Hønsebybotn on Seiland, you can follow the marked path towards Seiland National Park. The national park is referred to as "Norway's least accessible national park," and that is probably because it is a long walk to the park itself. On the way there you pass Storvannet, which is admittedly a large body of water! The water is surrounded by mountains, and some of the mountain peaks you see on the other side of the water actually belong to the national park.
7. Storfjellet, Hammerfest (mountain with open mountain hut)
Storfjellet is the most visited mountain peak in Hammerfest, according to records of pearl tours. It is perhaps not so strange when you see this view of Hammerfest, with the mountain Tyven in the background. You can follow a dirt road all the way up on foot, with a bicycle or pram if you have strong arms. Once you're at the top, you don't have to stand there freezing - rather go inside and enjoy the view from the day trip cabin - just like the one at Tyven.
8. Sandfjellet, Sørøya (mountain and sandy beach - combined)
Imagine that you are going on a mountain trip, where you can sit on the stump and sled down the mountainside! It is actually quite possible to do if you go to Sandfjellet on Sørøya! At the foot of the mountain you will find a white sandy beach. The trip can be done as a round trip that starts and ends in Akkarfjord, goes via Storsand and Finnvika before going up into the mountain, arriving at the top of the sand mountain, sledding down, going to Gamvikveien and then following this gravel road back into Akkarfjord. Otherwise, you should calculate a whole day for this trip! A shorter variant is to go round-trip to Sandfjellet from Finnvika.
9. Tarhalsen, Sørøya (lighthouse)
Follow the spectacular lighthouse keeper's road to Tarhalsen lighthouse. The path winds through a dramatic landscape with steep cliffs that plunge straight into the sea. The goal is the lighthouse at the northern tip of Sørøya, where many people start their Sørøya-på-lang adventure. On the way you will find an open hiking hut with overnight accommodation. This trip is demanding, especially if you have a fear of heights.
10. Stopparfjord, Rolvsøya (Sand beaches)
Stopparfjord on Rolvsøya offers fantastic coastal scenery. The trip here takes you across Rolvsøya, through untouched nature and past several fine fishing lakes. The trip takes approx. 2-3 hours in total from the main road, and is marked with paths and signs. This is an incredibly great trip that allows you to see the beautiful nature on Rolvsøya.
