Gjesvær: Birdlife, Island Mountains and Fishing History

Gjesvær combines striking island mountains with experiences on the water, a scenic hike and insights into the history of a traditional Arctic fishing community. This gives you different options when planning your trip: you can discover the birdlife and coastal landscape on a boat tour, set aside time for Lilletuva or explore the town’s cultural heritage.

Island Mountains and Birdlife from the Water

The distinctive landscape of Gjesvær includes Gjesværstappan: a group of steep mountains rising from the sea, formed by the islands of Storstappen, Kjerkestappen and Bukkstappen. A two-hour BirdSafari boat tour departs from Gjesvær and heads to the Gjesværstappan Nature Reserve. During the tour, guides share information about the birdlife, marine ecosystem and coastal landscape around Gjesvær. The focus is therefore not only on the animals, but also on their maritime surroundings and the distinctive shape of the landscape.

If you would like to include an outdoor experience on the water in your stay, the tour offers a clearly defined two-hour excursion. This sets it apart from the hike up Lilletuva, where you experience the landscape on foot and enjoy views of several islands. The two experiences offer different highlights, and you do not need to plan them as part of a single itinerary.

Hiking to Lilletuva

The hike to Lilletuva is described as moderately difficult, 3.5 kilometres long and taking two hours. The trail is marked with the T symbol; from there, you can enjoy views of Måsøy, Hjelmesøy and Stappan. The hike starts shortly before Gjesvær at a water house, where parking is available. For your day’s planning, you can use the stated duration as a guide and take the route length and moderate difficulty into account.

The nature reserve also has an important local rule: access to Storstappen is prohibited from 15 June to 15 August. At other times, too, you must take care when going ashore. If you would like to explore the landscape around Gjesvær, be sure to take this seasonal restriction into account when planning a visit to Storstappen. The rule applies to Storstappen; it is separate from the hike to Lilletuva described above.

Church and Local History

Gjesvær Church was built in 1960. This wooden building, located in the centre of the fishing village of Gjesvær, has 70 seats. Gjesvær Handel offers small-group experiences that include guided visits to the privately run church. Those particularly interested in the design and history of a local church building can discover another side of Gjesvær here, beyond exploring nature.

The Gjesvær Cultural Heritage Centre is located in Matkroken Gjesvær. Visitors can learn more about local history and life in this traditional Arctic fishing community. Berry picking in Gjesvær is also offered as a local experience. These activities offer different cultural and local highlights: the church, the history and life of the fishing community, and an experience centred on berry picking.

When to Visit and Where to Stay in Gjesvær

Services and activities in Gjesvær are limited in winter. This seasonal feature is therefore worth considering when deciding when to travel. The experiences described also give you a concrete starting point for choosing your destination: nature on the water, a hike with a set length and duration, or culture and local history. When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Gjesvær, you can start by considering which of these aspects of the town you would like to shape your stay.

More destinations: Nordkapp, Skarsvåg, Tunes, Repvåg, Honningsvåg.

Back to the main travel overview: Nordkapp.