Sandland: Shore, hiking and culture

Sandland combines seaside relaxation, hiking and cultural history with an extensive recreational area. The Sandland recreational area is classified as an important outdoor recreation area—a place for outdoor activities and recreation. It stretches from Øra in the west along the shoreline through Hettekeildalen to Hettekeila and onward to Sandlandsvatnet; it ends roughly at Svartbergneset. The shore, valley and lake are landmarks that shape the character of the area.

Shore, lake and outdoor activities

Sandland’s shoreline is used for barbecuing, beach games, swimming, paddling and camping. If swimming is a focus of your trip, note the seasonal distinction: the area along Storelva and at Sandlandsvatnet is used for swimming in summer. Recreational boats are also part of the lake’s surroundings. They are used on Sandlandsvatnet for leisure activities and to access the cabins along the lake.

This gives you several ways to plan your trip: spend time along the shoreline, swim in the river and lake in summer, or enjoy recreational activities on Sandlandsvatnet. The activities mentioned range from beach games and paddling to camping, giving you specific themes around which to plan your holiday.

Hiking and trails

Storelvveien towards Sandlandsvatnet and the area along Storelva are often used for hiking and recreation. The Reinfjellet/Gaskavárri hike near Sandland is 5.93 kilometres each way and reaches an elevation of 529 metres. The one-way distance and elevation are useful reference points for planning the hike. Markings and conditions may change; check them before setting out on a specific hike.

Another recreational area is Henningkeila–Bjørndalen. It is used by residents and visitors in Sandland, Sør-Tverrfjord and Frakkfjorden, and includes five registered Perletur routes, including Svarteberget. If you are comparing several hiking options, this area offers a different starting point from the Reinfjellet/Gaskavárri hike mentioned above: here, the focus is on a network of registered routes. Check the current markings and conditions before setting out.

Marine area and cultural history

The Sandland, Bergs- and Langfjorden marine recreation area is also classified as a particularly important outdoor recreation area. It includes the fjord waters by Sandland, Bergsfjord and Langfjord, as well as the waters around Silda. The marine area around Sandland, Bergsfjord and its outlying small islands, and Langfjorden is used by local residents, visitors, tourists and recreational boats.

In the area around Sandland, boat trips in the marine area can include a shore visit to the wartime remains at Gammelvær. There are traces of human activity from the Stone Age, the Middle Ages and modern times, as well as remains of a coastal fort from the occupation period. Gammelvær is therefore an additional cultural and historical point of interest in the surrounding area, not part of the described recreational area in Sandland.

Sandland itself also has a specific cultural landmark: Sandland Chapel is a wooden long church dating from 1971. It adds a local building with a clearly stated building type and year to the outdoor activities on offer.

Getting there and choosing a holiday rental

When looking for a holiday rental, you can first consider what you want to focus on during your stay: shoreline activities, swimming in summer, hiking, or a combination of the sea and cultural history. Sandland Brygge itself can be reached directly by express boat from Alta and Øksfjord. Check that the service is running and consult the current timetable before travelling.

Sandland kai is an express boat stop in Loppa Municipality, served by the LoppaXpressen route. Check the current timetable and any requirements for request stops here as well. This lets you consider your preferred holiday focus and practical travel information separately when planning.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Storvik, Loppa, Øksfjord.

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