Havøysund between the Scenic Route and Arctic Nature

Havøysund combines its location on the edge of the Barents Sea with a striking scenic route, hiking destinations and museums about coastal and military history. The town appeals to travellers who want to choose between road trips, nature and culture. When looking for a holiday apartment, a useful first question is which of these aspects you want to shape your stay: the landscape around Havøya, the route to Havøysund or the town’s museums.

Scenic Route and Cycling Routes

The Norwegian Scenic Route Havøysund runs from Kokelv to Havøysund and is 67 km long. Its endpoints and length provide a clear framework for a trip along the route. It can be combined with National Cycle Route 1. It also shares its route with EuroVelo 1, the Atlantic Coast Route; however, it is not signposted as a cycling route. If you want to explore the area by bicycle, keep these details distinct: combining it with the cycle route is possible, but the Scenic Route is not signposted as a cycling route.

Getting there and continuing your journey can also take you beyond Havøysund. The coastal express Hurtigruten calls at the town daily. The Måsøyekspressen fast boat lets you extend your journey from Havøysund to Rolvsøy, with its landing at Gunnarnes, Ingøya or Måsøya. This means that, alongside the Scenic Route, boat connections are also an option when planning your trip. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can consider whether Havøysund itself is your destination or whether you want to combine your stay with onward travel.

Havøygavlen and the Landscape of Havøya

From Havøysund, an approximately half-hour walk can take you to the island’s highest point, Havøygavlen. From there, the view stretches to the Arctic Ocean and nearby islands. The viewpoint combines a specific walk with wide-ranging views across the sea and islands. The approximate duration offers a guide for planning your day, without implying an exact walking time.

Another hiking destination is Storvika in the southwest of Havøya. An easy walk from Havøysund leads there, to cliffs and skerries in a landscape shaped by the weather. Havøygavlen and Storvika offer different impressions: at the island’s highest point, the view opens out to the Arctic Ocean and the islands; at Storvika, the destination is defined by rocky cliffs and skerries. In summer, visitors on the edge of the Barents Sea at Havøysund can experience the midnight sun; in winter, the Northern Lights.

Coastal Culture and Military History

The Måsøy Museum presents coastal culture, with a focus on the development of fishing vessels and technologies for the fishing industry. Those interested in how fishing and technological development are connected will find a dedicated cultural and historical subject here. The Ishavsfronten Military History Museum in Havøysund has a different focus: it displays objects and thematic exhibitions about the military history of the North, from the Viking Age to the present day. Together, the two museums offer different ways of exploring the region’s history—through fishing and technology on the one hand, and the military history of the North on the other.

These interests can help shape the character of your trip: the Scenic Route and hiking destinations are ideal for days spent outdoors, while the museums bring coastal culture and history to the fore. If you want to combine both, you can take these different themes into account when deciding whether Havøysund is the right holiday destination for you.

More destinations: Snefjord, Måsøy.

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