Hasvik between history and marked trails

Hasvik combines historic traces with marked trails. The village highlights traces of wartime and transport history; just outside the village and in the surrounding area, other memorial sites and Kvithellhula add to the picture. When planning your trip, it is helpful to distinguish between sites in Hasvik itself and destinations outside the village.

History in Hasvik

In 1942, German troops began building a fortification on Mount Håen in Hasvik, comprising bunkers, gun emplacements and trenches. A visit to Håen still gives an impression of the scale of German activity there at the end of the Second World War. If you plan to visit the mountain, check local access information beforehand.

The history of transport can also be explored in a specific location: the preserved historic road section from Hasvik to Hasvåg is the oldest preserved road section in Finnmark. The former foot and cart road was about 2.5 kilometres long and 1.88 metres wide. The description “oldest preserved road section” refers to the surviving section; the length and width given are the measurements of the former foot and cart road.

The old cemetery in Hasvik brings together a historic date and remembrance: it dates from the 18th century, lies next to the ferry quay and was restored in 1994 in connection with commemorations of the evacuation and burning of Finnmark. Just outside the village is Hasvik kirke, built in 1955, with its cemetery and memorial grove. The church was consecrated on 17 July 1955 and has room for 200 people; the grove contains 51 rounded stones and a memorial to those who fell in the Second World War.

In Kobbevåg, just below Hasvik School, a road cutting shows three stages in the development of road construction in Finnmark. It offers a different perspective on transport history from the preserved road section: rather than a former route, the focus here is on stages in road construction.

Cave and trails

Kvithellhula is about 6 kilometres from the centre of Hasvik. From a clearly visible road sign, a marked trail leads down to the cave in about 10 minutes. The walking time refers to the descent from the sign; the six kilometres, by contrast, is the distance from the village centre. During the winter of 1944–45, 35 people lived in the cave for 99 days. This puts the walking information and the cave’s former use into context.

The trail to Storsandvika is short and scenic, and is also suitable for very young children. Red markings indicate the route. The route description is maintained by the operator; weather and maintenance can affect the markings. Therefore, check local trail conditions before setting out.

The Rødegga route follows a trail south towards Hasvik and up to the summit. Because of steep cliffs, the route advises keeping a sufficient distance from the edge. Check local conditions before setting out on the hike.

Getting there and finding a hotel

Fast boat services run from Hasvik to Alta and Hammerfest, and there is a ferry connection to Øksfjord in Loppa Municipality. Check the operators’ current timetables before travelling.

When looking for a hotel in Hasvik, you can plan your trip around your interests: local history and memorial sites in Hasvik and just outside the village, Kvithellhula in the surrounding area, or marked trails. If location or facilities are important to you, compare the information provided for each hotel.

Discover more destinations: Sørvær.

Go to the main travel overview: Hasvik.