Evenes – Cultural History and Coastal Trails

Explore Evenes through its cultural history and trails. At Evenestangen, a granite sculpture stands alongside the remains of a coastal battery from World War II. Evenes Church adds a historical perspective, while Evenesvika offers a beach and outdoor recreation area. These are different options to consider when planning your trip: you can focus on art and built heritage, or set aside time for the coast and marked trails.

Art and history at Evenestangen

The Steinkirka at Evenestangen opened in 1995 as the Municipality of Evenes’ contribution to Skulpturlandskap Nordland. The granite sculpture is 5.5 metres high and made from granite from Lødingen. Its stone walls form a space that visitors can enter, and drawings appear on the inside walls. The granite exterior and the view into the space formed by the walls are thus different aspects of the work.

Evenestangen is also home to easily accessible cultural heritage sites from a coastal battery complex dating to World War II. More than 30 cultural heritage sites are marked along a cultural trail that runs uphill from lower Evenestangen. To reach the cultural trail car park, follow the “Krigsminner” signs from the E10 to Evenestangen. This lets you consider the artwork and the military history remains as two distinct themes for your stay.

Evenes Church and its history

Evenes Church is a historic wooden church in Evenes. The present building was constructed in 1800 as a wooden cruciform church in the old Danish manor house style, also known as Biedermeier. The church also houses a 13th-century baptismal font from the first church on this site. The building and the font thus point to different periods in the church’s history: the present building dates from 1800, while the font is considerably older.

Evenesvika and marked trails

Evenesvika is a sandy beach and outdoor recreation area near Evenestangen in Evenes. You can reach Evenesvika by car via the E10 near Harstad/Narvik Airport Evenes. A marked hiking trail from there also leads to Haugbakken and Liakollen. The beach and trail offer different options for planning your visit: you can focus on the outdoor recreation area or explore the hiking destinations mentioned above.

Sámi cultural heritage in the wider Evenes destination

In the wider Evenes destination, the Gállogieddi Sámi open-air museum offers insights into a Markasámi farm, as well as Sámi cultural heritage, livelihoods and the religion of the Marka settlements. The museum includes a signposted, two-kilometre cultural trail. It provides information about Sámi cultural heritage and follows an old route into the mountains. There is a simple shelter along the trail where you can rest and enjoy the view. The museum visit and the trail offer different experiences: an insight into the farm and its culture can be combined with a marked route and a place to rest.

Also in the wider Evenes destination, Márkomeannu takes place annually at Gállogieddi on the last weekend of July. The Sámi festival includes music, visual and performing arts, literature, seminars, sports, hikes, a market, and programmes for children and young people. Sámi artists and cultural practitioners from across Sápmi take part. As the programmes can change from year to year, check the dates and programme for the relevant year before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Bogen, Liland.

Go to the wider travel overview: Evenes.