Senja – The Adventure Island

Senja is Norway's second biggest island and is located along the northern coastline. With its varied landscape, striking scenery but rather changeable weather, Senja fascinates travellers as well as the people who actually live there.

Senja covers an area of 1590 km, which is about the same size as London. The population of the four municipalities Berg, Torsken, Lenvik and Tranøy is 15,000.  Senja is bordered by Malangenfjorden to the north and Andfjorden to the south. The gateway to the magical island, Gisundbrua, joins Senja to the mainland.

Natural scenery and wildlife
Senja is known for its incredible natural beauty, from its luxuriant and silent interior, to the dramatic scenery with steep mountains and deep fjords around its coast.  Due to Senja’s being north of the Arctic Circle, it is light both night and day during a couple of months in the summer. For approximately two months in the winter the sun cannot be seen, but the ”blue darkness” is remarkable as are the Northern lights when they appear.

Senja is definitely a good choice for people who love wildlife and outdoor activities. It is suitable for a wide range of sports such as skiing, snowboarding, mountaineering, rowing, fishing, walking in the mountains, biking, surfing, canoeing and diving. The aim of this site however, is to show the beauty of Senja for walkers. It is ideal for walkers of all levels of ability and interest from complete beginners to advanced.

The Senja Walking Assosiation. Senjabu
Senja is the centre of The Senja Walking Assosiation. In 2007, our dream of owning a cabin specifically for walkers was realized. Finally, after years of searching and putting forward applications which involved some disappointments, we were able to buy a cabin in Svanelvdalen. There was an official opening celebration in the spring of 2007, when Olav Thon, our benefactor was our guest of honour.
         
Senjabu is easily accessible and well-located in the heart of the island, close to the most popular hiking route and just a short walk away from the main road from Finnsnes to Gryllefjord (approximately 35 kilometres from Finnsnes). So, Senjabu is a wonderful starting point for walks in this area.

Senja from north to south
If you are heading for Senjabu from north in the summer, catch the ferry from Brentsholmen on Kvaløya to Botnhamn at the northern end of Senja. You could start your journey with a pleasant two-hour walk to Astridtind which includes some uphill gradient before moving further upwards to Kvannsaksla. There is a fairly steep and airy ascent before reaching the summit at 742m. Once the final climb is complete you are rewarded with a striking view over Kvaløya, Sommerøya and Håja to the north,and Baltsfjorden together with two of Senja’s highest mountains, Kjeipen og Breitind (985m) to the south.

If you intend to walk to Senjabu while following the marked north-south route, drive a couple of kms beyond Gibostad, then follow signs to Lysvatnet and continue over the bridge. Next to the power station, you will see the route’s northerly starting point clearly marked.

After a long day’s trip through Heggedalen, the path crosses the main road in Straumsbotn. Follow the road towards Finnsnes approximately two kilometres before reaching the cabin. Senjabu is located near Store Svanevatn. West of Senjabu is Daudmannsvatnet which is a great place to finish after an easy day’s walk.

If you would prefer a longer walk, return to the main road and walk 100 metres north and turn left to Raudaksla. Follow the ridge to Djupvatnet.  In the north you can see Istindan the fourth highest mountain (957m) and Stormoa (973m), being the second highest. In winter, the terrain near the cabin and a few kilometres south of Svanelvdalen is suitable for cross-country skiing.

The cabin Senjabu is a very good departure point for a visit to Senjatrollet or Hamn. Until the last part of the 18th century, Hamn had an active nickel factory. It is said that Hamn was the first (or perhaps second!) place in the world to use electricity. You can follow the path to Storvatnet and the dam. Proceeding up Sukkertoppen, you are rewarded with a stunning view over Bergsfjorden and the islands as well as Skaland and the ocean.  

Completing the route you may continue southwards. Providing an excellent view, the path proceeds from Straumsbotn westwards up Tromdalen before turning south ahead of Ostervatnet. The route continues through Leirdalen beyond Langdalsvatnet before crossing the road beside the tunnel of Kaperdalen. From here onwards the route climbs over Istind to its highest point at 851m, and descends to Åndervatnet in the Ånderdalen National Park. The walk from Senjabu to Åndervatnet is long and challenging and two days minimum are recommended.

Reaching Istinden you will be rewarded with a stunning view over Sifjorden, Torskefjorden, the distinctive summit Kvænan (Senja’s third highest mountain) and the islands Holmenvær and Ørja westwards. You may be able to see the mountains on the outer edge of Senja and also catch a glimpse of Breitind to the north. In the south is Tranøya and the mainland. The walk continues to Kapervatnet before reaching Åndervatnet where you can spend the night in the turf hut located at the southern end of the lake. You may complete the walk here and follow a marked path downhill to Tranøyboth.
                     
The last stage continues over Blåfjellet, beyond Selfjordvatnet to Lutvatnet and further on to Bunkevatnet where the route ends at Olaheimen. If you have some extra time, you could finish the journey with a stroll to the southern tip. Beyond Skrolsvik there is a path upwards to Sjursviktinden from where you can get an outstanding view over Andfjorden, Meløyvær, Bjarkøy, Grytøya, and  Andøya beyond.
  
Finally, you may find the “Senja North-South” route of 80 kms challenging. The terrain is rather hilly, but your efforts will be rewarded with excellent views and varied landscape.

Have a pleasant walk on our island.