World's Northernmost Roadtrip
Another one for the bucket list: driving above the Arctic Circle
Duration
13 days
Preferred Season
May-October
Best for
Travellers who want to get away from the crowd, and are not scared of long distances
A once-in-a-lifetime road trip, above the Arctic Circle. Every day is a new adventure! You’ll drive along Arctic coasts, past mountain ranges, stopping off at spectacular beauty spots along the way. Here you can soak up the calm serenity of this undisturbed landscape. At this latitude, north of the Arctic Circle, you will be extremely aware of the unpredictable weather and exotic climate.
The midnight sun is a memory that will shine in your mind forever. Although we reckon it’s the people here in the North who will make the strongest impression on you – friendly, genuine folk who will welcome you into their local life and cultural heritage.
Impact statement
On this journey, we want to 'Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage' in alignment with the UN SDG 11.4. Travel at the intersection between the resilience of the Northern wildlife flourishing among the Arctic tundra and the fragileness of our majestic glaciers. You are invited to follow the indigenous Sami rhythm of living by weather and season and explore their nomadic lifestyle with the challenges they face in today’s world.
Your itinerary
Itineraries are designed by our travel curators in collaboration with our partners to give you the most rewarding experience possible.
Please note that itineraries can be tailored to your specific wishes when you make an inquiry.
1/13
Your journey starts from Kirkenes
Brave travellers make the bracing journey all the way north to Finnmark, an area of Arctic tundra at the topmost region of Norway, where extraordinary wildlife flourishes. Those who make it here are confronted by powerful landscapes, warm-hearted Northerners, and a rich culture commemorated in both historical relics and spectacular modern art. You are about to experience the long, bright days in an almost lunar landscape, where the North Sea hits land.
To travel to the top of the world is not as hard as you might think. Kirkenes can be accessed with SAS or Norwegian from Oslo, alternatively, one could also fly into Ivalo in Northern Finland via Helsinki and make your way to Kirkenes from there.
Set off with your car on board the Norwegian Coastal Express, enjoy lunch and panorama views and a leisurely afternoon across the Barents Sea to Vardø. The Varanger peninsula is untamed and rustic Vardø town is the home of rugged people who live through the diverse seasons in the North. On arrival, we'll have some of our favourite locals meet you at your Vardø home – a modern cabin designed and built with a sustainable approach. The huge panoramic windows bring nature closer while you stay warm and cosy inside, even in the harsh Arctic climate.
Spend your evening as you wish, but in sync with the elements – enjoying the jacuzzi and sauna facilities, exploring by e-bikes, or tucked into a wooly blanket with a good book and a glass of wine.
2/13
Scenic Route Varanger to Hamningberg, & Witchcraft at Vardøhus Fortress and Steilneset Memorial
Varanger is about the long lines in the landscape and the even longer lines of history. You sense the culture, the crucible of people and their dramatic lives. The serenity you feel driving on Norwegian Scenic Route Varanger is an experience like no other. The lunar landscape in many ways makes it feel like you are on a journey to the end of the world. Add a detour to the place where the road runs out – the little village of Hamningberg. It’s well worth taking the road less travelled.
This evening will be spent plunging into the world of witchcraft. If you weren’t interested in history before, we guarantee that today will change your mind! You will start at Vardøhus Fortress; the world's northernmost castle, and an important national symbol of protection against Eastern powers. This is where the most tragic witch-burning history in Europe once took place.
In the 17th century, 77 women and 14 men were tried for witchcraft; they were kept captive at the fortress before they were tried with a water ordeal. If they drowned, it meant they hadn’t been witches after all. If they managed to stay afloat, they were burnt at the stake on the spot where the Steilneset memorial now stands. This extraordinary installation by artist Louise Bourgeois and architect Peter Zumthor commemorates the last of Europe’s witch burnings. Brace yourself for a murky history conveyed powerfully through impressive architecture, art and storytelling.
3/13
Hornøya Island and Vardø Street Art
Imagine stepping into the middle of an incredible David Attenborough documentary – except that this is live, with sounds, smells, and overwhelming sensations from the abundant wildlife. A day trip to Hornøya island will delight lovers of nature and wildlife. Nearly 100,000 birds, including sea eagles and the beautiful puffins, have their habitats in its nature reserve at different times of the year.
Before you leave town, check out some of the street artworks initiated in 2012 by the controversial Norwegian artist Pøbel with the idea of bringing attention to the depopulation of Northern Norway. Having decreased from about 4000 inhabitants to just below 1900 since the 1980s, Vardø hosts a lot of old and tarnished houses where time and weather - as well as bad politics - have clearly taken their toll. Through street art, the artist’s aim was to breathe life back into these old buildings.
However, when it comes to art, Vardø has more to offer than street art. Don’t miss the intriguing local artwork and installations by the Norwegian architect firm Biotope and the Russian art group Taibola before you continue West.
World War II left deep traces in Finnmark, and for those interested in wartime history, we recommend a stop at the Partisan museum in Kiberg and Kibergneset which conveys this intriguing part of our war history. This area was one of the areas with the highest military presence during the Second World War.
Right by the water’s edge, a stone’s throw from Nesseby harbour, you will arrive at your next Arctic home; Varanger Lodge is a window on life in the Arctic outpost. Life here by the ruggedly beautiful Varanger fjord begins and ends with the sea, the source of livelihood for thousands of years. Completed in 2017, the lodge is the brainchild of Edgar Olsen, a professional fisherman born and raised in Varanger.
4/13
King Crab Fishing with a Professional Fisherman
Venture out onto the stunning Varanger Fjord in your local insider Edgar's own King Crab fishing boat. With several decades of fishing experience from all over the world, Edgar knows the best spots for crab traps. Today, you will get to taste the freshest seafood you would ever wish for.
The best way to spend your afternoon is sweating it out in the wood-fired sauna, outside in front of the fire-bowl, sipping a local Kvænbrygg. Alternatively, you could meet some of the rugged locals, who will share stories of life in the Arctic. You could also see some examples of the indigenous Sami culture, and learn about its ancient methods of fishing, reindeer-herding, and traditional joik vocal style. Alternatively, simply relax and enjoy the panoramic overview from behind your room’s scenic window
5/13
Choose the inland route via Karasjok to Kokelv
Today’s drive is the longest and most remote of the entire road trip. Zooming across the expansive plains of Finnmark can be as exotic as an African safari, but also entirely different of course. Keep your eyes peeled for moose, reindeer and Arctic foxes, which may occasionally stray across your path.
The Samis are indigenous people from the Northern hemisphere, with their own rich and fascinating cultural heritage. A stop in Karasjok for a stroll around town, taking in local galleries and a visit to the Sami Parliament, will give you a window into the Samis’ nomadic lifestyle, their ancient Sami herding culture and the challenges they face in the modern world.
Situated by the sea where two rivers meet, Kokelv is where the Sami have brought their migrating reindeer every summer, for centuries. The small Sami maritime village has less than 150 inhabitants, but a long tradition of fishing and farming. Not only is Kokelv a Sami village with a fascinating culture and history, it’s also the perfect starting point for drives to the North Cape and Havøysund.
Settle into a modern turf house by the river – like a hobbit’s hole, built according to Sami tradition, yet kitted out with modern facilities. Meals will be prepared by your host, who will also heat up the wood-fired tub which you can enjoy long into the light summer night under the Arctic sunbeams.
6/13
Daytrip on Scenic Route Havøysund or Drive to the Top of the World
For centuries, the North Cape has been the great adventure for travellers, and a stop here may seem essential. The steep mountain cliff rises 307 metres above the Arctic Ocean, and marks the northernmost point of the continental mainland. The North Cape Hall offers a range of attractions including the globe; a treasured place for photography and contemplation, the culmination of all journeys.
Nevertheless, this area is home to yet another of Norway’s 18 spectacular scenic routes, ideal for all committed road-trippers: Havøysund.
This is a journey towards a dead end at the edge of the Barents Sea, through a landscape full of rugged rocky outcrops. Keep our eyes peeled for the majestic reindeer and sea eagles that roam freely in this area, not to forget the Havøysund Artwork: Artist Roni Horn has created an art installation where you´ll see two glass objects in a wooden hut.
The glass is supposed to reflect the luminous light of Finnmark. The route offers a chance to experience extremely remote communities and landscapes on the coast of Finnmark. It is strange to experience that there are viable communities situated as remote as here.
7/13
Kokelv to Alta
Less than two hours’ drive will get you to Alta, a hub for Northern Lights research and a UNESCO world heritage site. This is because it boasts Northern Europe’s largest concentration of prehistoric rock art. Between 7000 and 2000 years ago, hunter-gatherer artists left their mark on the stone here in the form of carvings and paintings, which have survived until now.
Settle into a modern mini-chalet at one of our favourite husky farms in the forest. The lodge offers a calm and relaxed atmosphere and is renowned for its superb local cuisine.
Your hosts live and work close to the natural elements. In the dark months as well as the forever bright summer days, they invite guests to share the good life in Finnmark.
The extravagant organic tasting menu includes fish from the fjord, potatoes from the farm, reindeer from the mountains, bread fresh from the stone oven and sweet berries from last summer’s harvest. Staying here will give you a feel of being at home with a local family. At bedtime, go back to your forest chalet with windows from floor to ceiling. Join the hosts for a walk with the puppies, or settle down to enjoy the tranquility.
8/13
Alta Canyon Adventures
A welcome break from the road today. How about a cookery class with your hosts? Biking? Fly fishing? Sightseeing around town? Boating on the Altafjord? Our favourite summer adventures include the Alta Canyon Sautso – Northern Europe’s largest canyon which cuts more than 400 metres down into the Finnmarksvidda mountain plateau. Climb on horseback and explore cowboy-style for a day, or venture Up the canyon in a riverboat and back down in a raft.
9-10/13
Alta to the Lyngen Alps – Meetings with Mighty Glaciers
Today’s three-hour drive takes you both inland and right up to the edge of the sea. At Lyngen, where you’ll check in to premium accommodation, you’ll be rewarded with views towards majestic mountain ranges across the fjord, and yet another impressive Northern kitchen. While you’re here, we invite you to a full day glacier adventure with a guide. Glaciers were formed thousands of years ago during the last Ice Age, when heavy snowfalls compacted down to giant ice masses. Even under the never-ending summer sun, the glacier remains cold to the touch.
Although it appears to be solid, it is in fact in constant movement, and reveals new crevasses every year. A guided hike towards or onto a glacier with a professional nature guide is much more than just an outdoor adventure. It is also a chance to witness climate change up close. Observations and measurements reveal the extent of the glacier’s shrinking and annual withdrawal. In fact, glacier coverage has decreased by 11 per cent in Norway over the last 30 years.
11-12/13
Last days in Tromsø
The final section of your road trip takes you to Tromsø where you will return the rental car, and check-in at a harbourside hotel in the city centre. Spend these last days at your own pace. Find your way to the Fjellheisen cable car, which will hoist you 421 metres above sea level, from where you can marvel at the panoramic views of Tromsø and the surrounding islands, mountains and fjords. Stroll around the streets of Tromsø, pick a lunch spot of your choice and tune in to the local life and colour. If you are Up for kayaking, hit the road one last time and venture out to glorious Sommarøy island. The climate may not be tropical, exactly, such a long way north, but the local inhabitants (known as ‘Tromsøværingene’) are probably the warmest personalities in the country.
We’ll leave the door open for your return!
Personalize and book the World's Northernmost Roadtrip journey
Personalized itinerary
This journey has been curated to offer another one for the bucket list: driving above the Arctic Circle. It can be booked as proposed or further personalized to you.
Worry-free booking
With our flexible terms, we hope to provide you with all the certainty and adaptability you need when booking your well-deserved escape.
Pricing
The price per person is based on double occupancy when two people travel together. Read more about our pricing here.
Features in The Amateur Traveler Podcast
"There are so many good reasons why one should go to Northern Norway. If I were to summarize in one word, regardless of season, I’d say, go there for the light. Because in the summer, you have the midnight sun, which means that you have this magical, radiant light all day and all night"
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