Tennskjær: Snowmobile Route, Cultural Heritage and Coastal Setting

Tennskjær brings together several clearly distinct themes for trip planning: the traditional cluster of farmsteads in Søndre Steinsland, the medieval farm mound near Steinsland, and a winter snowmobile route on the Lenvik Peninsula. The express boat service 4 also stops at Tennskjær. The distinctions below can help you check travel days and time windows to suit your plans.

Cultural history: farmstead group and farm mound

Søndre Steinsland in Tennskjær is a traditional Norwegian cluster of five farmsteads. The term refers to the group of farmsteads as a whole, not to a single farmstead; the number five makes its composition specific. Distinct from this is the historic farm mound near Steinsland, which dates from the Middle Ages. It is automatically protected under the Norwegian Cultural Heritage Act. These represent two different scales in the local history: a group of traditional farmsteads and a single mound with its own medieval dating and legal protection. The Middle Ages specifies the period to which the farm mound belongs; automatic protection under the Cultural Heritage Act, by contrast, describes its legal status. Both details describe different aspects of the same place.

Snowmobile route and season

The winter snowmobile route on the Lenvik Peninsula runs between Aspelund and Tennskjær. It is approximately 35 kilometres long and has several connection points. The approximate length refers to the entire route, not to individual sections between connection points. The season has outer limits: the route may open no earlier than 1 December and must close by 5 May at the latest. The actual periods depend on conditions in a given year and therefore are not the same every year. Check the conditions for the specific year of your trip before setting out. Anyone wishing to use the route must obtain a personal permit card.

Express boat and trip planning

Express boat service 4 connects Lysnes with Tromsø via Tennskjær and Vikran; it runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Check the timetable before travelling. The two time references address different planning questions: the days-of-the-week schedule applies to the express boat service, while the year-dependent time window concerns the possible opening of the snowmobile route. If both are relevant to your trip, check the travel day and seasonal conditions separately.

Hiking and marine surroundings

In the area around Tennskjær, the Aglapen hike runs between Aglapsvik and Tennskjær to Hammeren and an outer cairn, with views of the Senja Mountains, Malangen, Ryøya, Tromsø Sound and Kvaløya. Alongside the historical themes, the hike offers a focus on the landscape, with specific viewpoints. The nearby marine area of Myrstadbukta is another point of reference for nature, recreation, fishing and passage. Together, the hiking route and marine area complement the local history with distinct landscape and land-use connections.

Discover more destinations: Silsand, Finnsnes, Gibostad, Fjordgard, Rossfjordstraumen, Lenvik, Botnhamn

Go to the main travel overview: Lenvik.