Rotsund: Fjord, Ferries and Chapel

Rotsund lies in the southern part of the Rotsundet, a fjord arm of the Lyngenfjord. The ferry terminal on the E6 and the Rotsund Chapel provide two concrete points of reference: a connection across the fjord and a building with traces of art and war. When choosing a hotel, you can start by considering whether Rotsund’s location and local connections fit your travel plans.

Chapel and Local History

The Rotsund Chapel is a wooden long church with 240 seats. A crucifix by the artist Lynum from Trondheim, acquired after the war, stands in the chancel arch. The chapel also houses a travel Bible belonging to King Christian IV, dating from 1647. It was donated in 1948 by the Giæver family from Havnnes. The stained-glass window above the altar depicts Jesus as the Good Shepherd, who has found the lost sheep.

Traces of the war are also part of the chapel’s history: bullet holes can be seen on the frame of the altarpiece and on the wall behind the altar. According to tradition, they were caused by German fire during the war. Together, the building’s design, its religious art, and this account passed down through the generations offer several points of interest for culture enthusiasts.

Ferries and Road Connections

Ferry route 198 connects Rotsund, Havnnes, and Uløybukt. Travel is free for all passengers and vehicles. As ferry fares may change, it is advisable to check the latest information; also check the timetable before travelling. The ferry terminal is on the E6. From Rotsund, you can continue along the E6 to Storslett, the national park village. There is also a ferry connection from Rotsund to Uløya.

The ten-minute crossing from Rotsund to Havnnes goes across the Rotsundet and offers a detour from the E6, with cultural history, coastal life, and views. The journey time refers to the crossing; plan onward travel and other legs of your trip separately.

Havnnes and the Trails on Uløya

Nearby Havnnes is a well-preserved, heritage-listed trading post from the 19th century that is still in operation. For generations, it has played an important role in transport and trade in the region. Visitors can enter the stockfish warehouse at the trading post and see large stocks intended for the Italian market. Check current operating and access conditions before visiting.

Havnnes is also the starting point for the hike to Uløytinden: it begins in the west of the island of Uløya. Havnnes can be reached by ferry from Rotsund; check departures separately. There are also marked trails near Havnnes, ranging from easy forest walks to more challenging mountain hikes. The area therefore offers both a focus on the trading tradition and a range of hiking options.

Nordreisa: Nature and Further Cultural History

The wider destination of Nordreisa includes Reisa National Park, an almost untouched natural area. The Reisaelva is one of Norway’s best salmon rivers and flows northwest through the national park to the coast. Mollisfossen waterfall has a total drop of 269 metres. In summer, you can canoe on the Reisaelva; traditional riverboats with outboard motors may also be used as far as Nedrefoss. A sightseeing trip to Mollisfossen offers the chance to experience the national park’s most visited attraction.

For multi-day hikes, the Historic Route is another option in Nordreisa. It is about 60 kilometres long, begins in Saraelv, follows the Reisaelva past Imofossen, and crosses the mountains to Reisavann. Conditions may vary. At Sieimma, a detour across the river leads to the opposite bank, where there are rock paintings dating back about 4,000 years.

Tørfoss–Kuivakoski, a site run by the Nord-Troms Museum in Nordreisa municipality, offers another cultural focus. The Tørfoss farm was cleared for cultivation in the 1750s and provides insight into Kven settlement history in northern Norway in the 18th and 19th centuries. Visitors can also learn about the life and livelihood of a Kven family there.

When searching for a hotel, you can first consider Rotsund as a destination in its own right, then decide whether your trip should also include other attractions in the wider destination of Nordreisa. This helps distinguish the chapel and local ferry connections from the natural and cultural attractions of the broader region.

Discover more destinations: Storslett, Sørkjosen, Havnnes

Return to the main travel overview: Nordreisa.