Gamvik: Kinnarodden, Slettnes and Mehamn

Gamvik can be explored through three distinct interests: the landscape and hike at Kinnarodden, the cultural and natural history of Slettnes, and the fishing village of Mehamn. Each destination comes with its own planning considerations. If you’re looking for a hotel in Gamvik, it may help to first decide which experiences you want to focus on during your trip.

Kinnarodden: a hike that requires an overnight stay

Kinnarodden is the northernmost point on mainland Norway. The landscape there is shaped by ice, wind and the sea. The trail starts either in Mehamn or at Sandfjordvannene. The hike usually takes 10 to 12 hours each way, and an overnight stay is required. This makes it one of the trips for which you should explicitly plan for the time and overnight accommodation. Weather and trail conditions can vary, so it’s advisable to check local conditions before setting out.

The network of hiking trails also includes Ytre Staurvika, between Mehamn and Gamvik. Alongside the route to the northernmost point on mainland Norway, other named hiking trails are available to help you plan excursions in the Gamvik area.

Slettnes: lighthouse, cultural landscape and nature reserve

The Slettnes cultural trail is open 24 hours a day, all year round. It is used mainly in spring, summer and autumn, and use is weather-dependent. The Slettnes cultural landscape includes the remains of houses and fish-drying racks, stone fences and traces of peat cutting. These varied remnants give the landscape a cultural dimension alongside its natural surroundings.

Slettnes Lighthouse stands in the Slettnes Nature Reserve, which is classified as a Ramsar site. Since 1998, the lighthouse has been a protected cultural monument and is considered the northernmost mainland lighthouse in Norway. The reserve itself is also a distinctive landmark: it is home to more than 150 bird species. This destination brings protected nature and a cultural monument together.

The remains of a German coastal fort from the Second World War are also located along the road to Slettnes. They include bunkers, trenches and gun emplacements. They add a wartime remnant to the area’s historical sites.

Nissehuset in Mehamn

From 15 May to 15 September, Nissehuset offers guided museum visits daily from 12:00 to 20:00. Outside this period, guided visits are available on request. Since dates and arrangements may change, check the latest information before visiting.

The house contains more than 27,000 Christmas items; the collection may change. Nissehuset describes its collection as the largest known private collection of Christmas decorations in the world. A regional food specialty is also part of the visitor experience: Bidos, a traditional Sami meat soup, is served with bread.

Mehamn as a fishing village and port of call

Mehamn is a traditional fishing village and the northernmost port on the Bergen–Kirkenes coastal route. Mehamn Airport is part of Norway’s national network of short-haul flights. The Hurtigruten and Havila coastal routes also call at Mehamn; check current timetables before travelling. The village is also one of the listed starting points for the hiking trail to Kinnarodden. When planning your trip, you can take both your journey and your excursions into account.

Discover more destinations: Mehamn, Gamvik.

For the overview of the wider region: Finnmark.