Arnøyhamn – Church and trails in the surrounding area

Arnøyhamn brings together the history of Arnøy Church and hiking and cultural interests in the surrounding area. When planning your trip, the local church, trails on Arnøya and connections to other places offer different points of reference.

Arnøy Church: Architecture and history

Arnøy Church stands in Arnøyhamn, in the middle of the island of Arnøya. It is a long church with 250 seats and was designed by architect Harry Gangvik from Tromsø. Its architectural style and size give a concrete impression of the church, while the design adds to its architectural history.

On 4 June 1978, Bishop Kristen Kyrre Bremer consecrated the church. About 600 people attended the consecration; Kjell Skog was the pastor at the time. Local businesses and tradespeople from the island’s villages carried out the earthworks, concrete work and carpentry under the supervision of the municipal engineer.

A distinctive local feature is the altar cloth with Hardanger embroidery, donated by sisters Helga and Borghild Jørgensen. Both were originally from Arnøyhamn. Alongside the design and construction, the people and places of the island are therefore part of the church’s history.

Hiking trails and scenery in the surrounding area

The Haugnesvarden Trail runs through the surrounding area and is marked red throughout; it can be continued to Svarthammartinden. The trail reaches Haugnesodden a few kilometres after you pass Arnøyhamn. The route description thus connects a marked trail with several named points in the area.

Grunnfjorddalen is also nearby. At its mouth, this typical coastal valley is shaped by former seabed; glaciers formed the upper reaches, where Quaternary geological deposits can be found. The landscape thus brings together coastal and glacial history in one valley.

Along the hike through Grunnfjorddalen, the Bygdelag/utmarkslag in Arnøyhamn has built boardwalks and bridges in the wettest sections. Check the condition of these structures before setting out. A little farther up the valley, there is a basic shelter.

Grunnfjorddalen is also suitable for ski touring; there is a risk of avalanches in the upper reaches. Check the current avalanche conditions before setting out. Hiking and ski touring therefore involve different planning considerations: for hiking, the wet trail sections are particularly relevant, while for ski touring, it is the avalanche risk in the upper valley.

Cultural trail and practical information

The Arnøya kultursti cultural trail starts nearby in Tareneset, about an hour’s cycle from Arnøyhamn. Several information boards share facts about local culture and nature. There is also a barbecue hut along the trail, suitable for a break; check its availability locally.

Arnøyhamn is connected by express boat to Tromsø and Skjervøy; the journey takes just under two hours. Timetables may change, so it is advisable to check the latest departures before travelling. A bus service connects Arnøy with Skjervøy; check the current timetable for this as well.

A ferry runs daily from Storstein to Arnøya, serving the Lauksundskaret quay. Check the timetable in advance. The Bygdebutikken grocery store is in Arnøyhamn; you should check its opening hours separately as well.

Discover more destinations: Uløybukt, Skjervøy, Årviksand.

Return to the main travel guide: Skjervøy.