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Slow Lane Magazine, May 2019
Insights and stories from across Europe and beyond
  • favourite (but oft-forgotten) festivals
  • Nepal's secret valley
  • boutique beauty in Drôme Provençale
  • carving out a future in southern Italy
  • Inntravellers' Tales – our new writing competition
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Senja - An Arctic Island

A fusion of mountain, moorland & sea
 
From mountains to moorland and pristine sandy beaches to incomparable viewpoints, this flexible, self-guided walking holiday reveals an astonishing variety of scenery. The accommodation is just as diverse – one high-quality quayside hotel followed by stays in two historic fishing villages.
Senja - An Arctic Island. 7 nights
Senja - An Arctic Island. 7 nights
 

Holiday information

 

A walking holiday on Senja

Although well known for its mountains, fjords, islands and convoluted coastline, Arctic Norway still has a few surprises – and little-visited gems – up its sleeve. Senja, second largest of the country’s islands and a little farther north, even, than the justly popular Lofotens, is certainly one of these – relatively little-known, yet full of extraordinary natural beauty.
Senja’s wild north-western coast, accentuated by peaks which soar skywards from secluded sandy bays, is balanced by the gentle terrain of the sheltered eastern side of the island; and by the lakes, forests and high moorland in between. On this holiday, you are treated to superb walking with breathtaking views, while being based at some charming waterside locations.
 
Gallery
 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.

    The Midnight Sun is visible from about 20 May to 21 July, while the Northern Lights are visible on some nights as early as late August.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C -2 -2 0 3 9 14 17 16 11 5 1 -1
    mm 118 111 108 107 103 92 111 113 136 151 115 128
  • A note about distances & timings
    Our timings and grades are based on our own experiences of walking on the island. Unlike the local grading system, which is based purely on the amount of ascent involved, our timings and grades take the type of terrain into account, and assume a much slower pace over rocky ground. In our experience, walks of just a couple of kilometres can take several hours, but the incredible views are more than ample reward for your efforts.
  • Arrival in Sommarøy
    On arrival in Tromsø, an hour’s drive across beautiful Kvaløya brings you to the small neighbouring island of Sommarøy.

    Night 1: at the Arctic Hotel, Sommarøy (the first of two nights here).
    As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of walking.
  • Choice of walks on Sommarøy: 2km to 6km
    We suggest three walking options for your day on Sommarøy – all of them offering views of the ‘Arctic Caribbean’, so-called for the azure waters and coral-sand beaches which surround the local islands. None are long, though the climbs to both Hillesøya and Lakstind are significant.

    Out-and-back route up Hillesøya (grade 2-3): 6km, 2.5hrs; 300m ascent/descent
    This steep hill provides spellbinding views over the archipelago and out to sea. We suggest you follow the locals’ route to the summit: straight up, using a handy rope running alongside you from bottom to top in uniquely Norwegian style. It’s not nearly as hard as it sounds!

    Out-and-back route to Lakstinden (grade 2): 6km, 3hrs; 515m ascent/descent
    The nearest proper peak on the mainland is an excellent objective, with a pretty forest traverse before the rocky summit and lakes of Lakstinden itself. Afterwards, take a stroll to nearby Sandvik beach – the perfect spot to relax.

    Out-and-back route up Ørnfløya (grade 1-2): 2km, 1hr; 145m ascent/descent
    This modest peak gives exceptional panoramas for minimal effort and is the ideal spot for an after-dinner viewing of the Midnight Sun.
    The tranquil slopes of Lakstinden
    Climb Hillesøya for excellent views
  • Drive from Sommarøy to Mefjordvær, via Husøy
    A scenic ferry journey (pay locally) takes you over to Senja itself for a memorable drive close to the island’s dramatic north coast. En route, we suggest a visit to Husøy, a community of 300 souls occupying a spectacular island that is now connected to the mainland by causeway, and which offers tremendous views south-west to Senja’s most dramatic concentration of peaks. Your onward drive takes you past high lakes, cols and coast to reach Mefjordvær, one of the region’s oldest fishing villages, where your next two nights are spent at Mefjord Brygge.
  • Choice of walks from Mefjordvær: 2km to 5.5km
    Today, you can choose between three short walks from the door (or combine them to make one full-day walk); while Senja’s most iconic peak, Segla (‘sail’), faces you across the fjord and can be reached via a short drive to Fjordgård, from where we suggest a wonderful route beneath the mountain to the neighbouring peak of Barden.

    Out-and-back route up Knuten (grade 1-2): 2km, 1hr; 115m ascent/descent
    This is an easy walk (gentle enough to do as an evening stroll) up the nearby hill of Knuten, whose lighthouse makes a fine viewpoint just north of the village.

    Out-and-back route to Skøyteneset (grade 2-3): 5km, 3.5hrs; 170m ascent/descent
    This is a challenging coastal hike which can easily be truncated – still allowing you to see the best of this beautiful rocky headland.

    Out-and-back route to Stordalen (grade 1-2): 5.5km, 2hrs; 130m ascent/descent
    Through lake and marsh country, ringed by craggy mountains, this walk follows extensive boardwalks, looping through forest and passing remote summer cabins.

    Drive then out-and-back route to Barden (grade 2-3): 5km, 4.5hrs; 640m ascent/descent
    The peninsula across the water from Mefjordvær is Senja’s most spiky and dramatic spit of land. The climb from Fjordgård – where the walk begins – to the summit of Barden gives you arguably the best view of Segla’s sail-shaped peak.
    Enjoy a gentle stroll up Knuten
    Explore the beautiful coastline
  • Drive from Mefjord to Hamn i Senja, via Husfjellet
    The direct route from Mefjord to Hamn i Senja takes only an hour, but we suggest stopping off at several locations en route: beautiful Ersfjord beach; Tungeneset headland, for the walkway to a viewpoint where you can admire the Devil’s Jaw’s incisor-like peaks; Bovær, with its pretty beach and extraordinary Kråkeslottet (‘crow’s castle’); and Husfjellet, where there is an excellent walk to the summit (see below). You continue to Hamn i Senja, where your last three nights are spent by the harbour, from where the Midnight Sun, or – in late season – the Northern Lights, may be seen.

    Out-and-back route up Husfjellet (grade 2): 8km, 4.5hrs; 700m ascent/descent
    The 600-metre peak of Husfjellet is a well-graded, steady climb from Skaland on the coast. If the weather is kind, take in views over the ‘Hundred Island’ Bergsoyan archipelago towards Hamn, followed by an unbeatable panorama from the top.
  • Choice of walks from Hamn: 3km to 10km
    During your time in Hamn, we suggest several local walks as well as inland routes and a driving tour to the south-west of Senja.

    Circular route via Sukkertoppen (grade 1-2): 6km, 2hrs; 200m ascent/descent; longer option (grade 3): 9.5km, 5hrs; 600m ascent/descent
    This must-do local walk takes you to the peak of nearby Sukkertoppen (‘Sugarloaf’) mountain. Though the final few metres to the summit are tricky, and should be avoided unless you enjoy scrambling, the majority of this climb is mellow, through lake-studded woodland, and offers exceptional views. It can be walked as a flexible-length circuit, incorporating an exploration of an old nickel mine on a pretty peninsula.

    Out-and-back route to Ballesvika beach (grade 2): 3km, 1hr; 15m ascent/descent
    Just 5km from Hamn, this pretty sandy beach is the starting point for a walk along a shoreline which is notable for its gorgeous large round pebbles – as good to look at as they are hard underfoot! Your destination is a cove which is popular with locals as a picnic spot, and as a viewing point for the Midnight Sun.

    Out-and-back route via Leirdalen waterfall* (grade 2-3): 10km, 3.5hrs; 200m ascent/descent
    The high moorland, lakes, rivers and waterfalls of Langdalsvatnet offer you a completely different perspective on Senja. Our route follows a section of Senja's ‘island traverse’ – a classic, multi-day hike popular with Norwegian walkers.

    Out-and-back route via Langdalsryggen* (grade 2): 5km, 2hrs; 230m ascent/descent
    A walk to this easy peak provides distant views over the coast to the north and west, and the more close-up spectacle of the glinting multitude of tarns that cover a rocky plateau near the summit.

    *These two walks share a starting point, which is reached via a spectacular drive through the Kaperdalen valley, and can easily be combined.
    The pretty, pebbly beach of Ballesvika
    Pass a multitude of tarns as you ascend Langdalsryggen
 

Accommodation

Your accommodation is in tune with your natural surroundings. The last two bases are fishing villages rather than hotels, where you stay in thoughtfully converted buildings and former homes.
 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter.
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  • 7 nights: 25 May - 06 September 2019

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    25 - 31 May £1345 £525
    1 - 14 June £1440 £555
    15 June - 24 August £1475 £570
    25 - 30 August £1440 £555
    3rd & 4th person discount -£210
    Single traveller supplement £210

    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Price includes: 7 days' category B car hire (eg Toyota Yaris or similar with manual transmission)

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

  • Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Hamn i Senja (with dinner) Double room Single room
    25 May - 31 May 2019 £185 £265
    01 Jun - 24 Aug 2019 £195 £275
    25 Aug - 06 Sep 2019 £185 £265
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Tromsø

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we reccommend flying via Oslo. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Travelling from outside the UK
    We have many years' experience catering for customers who live outside the UK, and will be happy to make tailored arrangements to fit with your plans.

    You have two options:

    1) Book your own flights to London, from where we can book flights and onward connecting travel to your hotel.

    2) Book your own flights direct to an airport appropriate to your chosen holiday. You can either make your own way from the airport to the hotel, or we'll be happy to book onward connecting travel for you. Please consult with us before booking your flights, so that we can advise you on the suitability of your proposed route and timings.
    Outward route Airline
    Aberdeen - Tromsø (via Stavanger & Oslo) SAS 
    Aberdeen - Tromsø, (via Oslo (Gardermoen) ) SAS 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Tromsø (via Oslo (Gardermoen) SAS 
    Edinburgh - Tromsø (via Oslo (Gardermoen) ) Norwegian 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Tromsø Norwegian 
    Gatwick - Tromsø (via Oslo (Gardermoen) ) Norwegian 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Tromsø (via Oslo (Gardermoen) ) SAS 
    Heathrow - Tromsø (via Stockholm) SAS 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Tromsø Wizz Air 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Tromsø (via Oslo (Gardermoen) ) Norwegian 
    Manchester - Tromsø (via Copenhagen & Oslo) SAS 
    Manchester - Tromsø (via Oslo (Gardermoen) ) SAS 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we reccommend flying via Oslo. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you. We charge £30 per person for our flight booking service (£50 for India and Nepal). Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

What is included
  • 7 nights
  • 7 dinners
    7 breakfasts
  • route notes and maps
  • 7 days' category B car hire
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

All 7 reviews
  • Mrs H Palmer
    Nottingham
    26 June 2019

    The holiday was excellent - good hotels with breakfasts and 3 course dinners and the walk information was very detailed and gave a good range of walk difficulty. The scenery is fantastic and the roads are quiet. 

  • Dr J Macdonald
    Strathpeffer
    15 June 2019

    Being in the Arctic at the Solstice was an amazing experience. We were rather disappointed at the lack of bird and mammal life (one Sea Eagle, one Reindeer, one Otter being the highlights; no Elk, despite the warnings on the roadsigns), but the display of boreal flowers more than made up for that. Fields of Globeflower, carpets of Cloudberry and Dwarf Cornel, and a host of species at sea level that you will only find after a stiff climb in Britain. It was good to discover that one form of wildlife - the Arctic mozzie - was not in evidence in mid-June, and although we encountered several bulky horseflies they were at worst a minor irritation on the Sukkerkop walk. We enjoyed wonderful weather, but were frequently told (as we often tell our visitors to the Highlands) 'It is not always like this!'.

    The stay at Mefjord Brygge was made memorable by the friendly and helpful staff. On our last day there we walked to Skoyteneset, and would thoroughly recommend it. The path is rough, but the reward at the end is more than worth it. Poles are a help, boots and great care where you place them, are essential.

  • Jack
    05 June 2019

    This was an excellent holiday. The walks were varied and beautiful and the warnings for the harder parts well presented. The accomodation was very good considering the obvious limitations of such a remote area.

  • Ann & Terry, Leamington Spa
    01 June 2019

    Inntravel are to be congratulated on discovering yet another fabulous holiday destination - Senja is wild, unspoilt and very beautiful, yet also surprisingly accessible. However, Inntravellers who are used to walking in the Alps, where footpaths are well-defined and it is possible to cover significant distances in a day, will need to adjust their expectations; the terrain in northern Norway is tricky, so progress is slow and most walks are ‘there-and-back-again’ and relatively short. That said, the scenery is spectacular and well worth spending time over - deep fjords, jagged peaks, snowy landscapes and idyllic coastlines. The midnight sun is of course an added bonus; with good weather, one can walk at any time of day or night! Thank you, Inntravel, for another superb holiday…

     

  • Mr S Richards
    Birmingham
    31 May 2019

    This holiday is for people who want to try something new. Not many British people have visited the arctic circle, in summer, other than a cruise. The walking is something special, completly different than anything we had done before. We found the trails rough. The walks tended to be shorter but this was made up for by the terrain. Twice we did two walks in a day. This was perfect as we found it better to make the decision after the first. If you decide to visit the Arctic, it won't be like the Alps, Pyrenees, Lake District etc. 

  • Anon
    31 May 2019

    We absolutely fell in love with the area.  The scenery and wildlife is outstanding.  It was so peaceful and a real escape.  Inntravel find some very special places.  Paradise is found in the most unexpected places and we felt we found it in Senja.  Please dont tell too many people !

  • Dr A Brook
    Elland
    25 May 2019

    You take your chances going early season as there is enough snow to restrict some of the routes.  On the other hand it is clear that the island will get a lot busier in high summer.  It was very nice not to encounter traffic coming the other way in the many long narrow tunnels. And you really do not need any Norwegian currency, just a credit card.
 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from hotel to hotel, but also include practical information about places of interest and eateries along each route, plus cultural information about the area. If/when you are moving between hotels, you leave your luggage in reception as you leave, and it will be transferred ahead to your next accommodation, meaning that all you need to take with you are a camera, sun cream, drinks, food and waterproofs.

    For more detailed information, see our walking holidays in Europe page.
  • We can book a wide range of airlines and routes from the UK. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. For Europe and Morocco, there’s a £30 booking fee per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). For India and Nepal, the booking fee is £50 per person. More information on flights >
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can cost tens of thousands of pounds.

    You don’t have to buy our policy (if you live outside Europe you’ll definitely need to make your own arrangements, as the policy is only for UK and EU residents), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport with at least three months' validity to travel to Norway, but not a visa (if you are travelling after 31 October 2019, see the Brexit question below for more information). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found through the following NHS link: www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/ You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). UK citizens should also obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) by applying at a Post Office or at www.ehic.org.uk. The EHIC allows reciprocal health care but should not be seen as a substitute for travel insurance. EHICs may cease to be valid in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
  • The most widely spoken language is Norwegian. The currency is the Kroner. Norwegian time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • Even in the event of a no-deal Brexit, it’s been confirmed that flights will continue as normal and that you won’t need a visa to go on holiday (the limit on stays is 90 days). What you will need if there’s no deal is a passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of your arrival (extra months added because you renewed your passport early do not count) and adequate travel insurance to cover you for accidents and illness in case reciprocal health deals are suspended. If you are driving while on holiday, you will probably need an International Driving Permit (plus a Green Card if you are taking your own car to Europe). More information >
  • The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.
    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
Last fetch time is : 7/19/2019 7:49:15 AM