Uløybukt: Hiking Trails, Mountain Tours and Whale Watching

When looking for hotels in Uløybukt, you can consider planned excursions and travel dates together. A simple path to a waterfall, the starting point of a hike to a lake, a 20-kilometer traverse and seasonal offerings from Arctic Panorama Lodge each offer a different focus. Information about routes, starting points and seasons helps you plan your excursions and stay in concrete terms.

Hikes and Mountain Trails

The Mettengfossen route is about 1.2 kilometers long and marked in red and yellow. From the ferry terminal in Uløybukt, an easy walk leads to a viewpoint overlooking the waterfall. The hike to Isvannet, the largest lake in Skjervøy Municipality, also starts at the ferry terminal.

A longer mountain route is the Uløya Traverse. It follows a 20-kilometer mountain ridge from Uløybukt to Havnnes and passes Blåtinden (1,142 m), Uløytinden (1,114 m) and Kjelvågtinden (1,104 m). The three peaks listed therefore span an elevation range of 38 meters. A gentler, longer route to Arontinden starts at Arctic Panorama Lodge.

Nearby, there is a climbing route on the steep face of Uløytind for both winter and summer. It requires natural protection; check the route information on site before climbing. The options in the area therefore differ not only by destination, but also by route length and the equipment required for the climbing route.

Seasonal Excursions and Cuisine

Arctic Panorama Lodge offers whale-watching tours from late October to mid-January. Warm clothing, hot drinks and expert guides are included in the tours. The seasonal window may change; check the latest information before planning your trip.

Arctic Panorama Lodge also offers ski touring in the Arctic mountains. Availability depends on the season and bookings. Travel dates are therefore an important planning consideration for this activity too, while whale watching has its own seasonal window.

The cuisine at Arctic Panorama Lodge is also seasonal: dishes are prepared using fresh, locally sourced ingredients available in each season. This adds another specific connection to the time of year alongside the excursions, without requiring any particular menu.

Getting There by Ferry

A ferry connects Rotsund and Uløybukt. The ferry terminal in Rotsund is on the E6. For specific departure times, consult the current timetable when planning your journey.

More to Explore in the Wider Skjervøy Destination

The Skjervøy archipelago includes Uløya, Arnøya, Kågen, Laukøya and Skjervøya, among others. In the wider Skjervøy destination, a small-group RIB whale safari sets out to search the Arctic fjords for orcas, humpback whales and other marine wildlife. Sightings are seasonal and cannot be guaranteed. This safari’s departure point in Skjervøy differs from the departure point for Arctic Panorama Lodge’s whale-watching tours in Uløybukt; check the latest information from the operators before planning.

Skjervøy Church is also worth exploring during a stay in the wider Skjervøy destination: the surviving wooden church dates from 1728 and was part of Thomas von Westen’s Finnemission. As the oldest surviving wooden church in Nord-Hålogaland, it is a protected historic monument and subject to strict restoration requirements set by the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage, Riksantikvaren.

Seppalatunet offers insights into Skjervøy’s history, art, crafts and local food. The focus is on the story of Leonhard Seppala and the 1925 serum run to Nome, Alaska. Visits are by request.

Discover more destinations: Arnøyhamn, Skjervøy, Årviksand.

Back to the main travel guide: Skjervøy.