The one thing you cannot stop exploring in Norway is nature, this is why we are back on the scenic roads and this was the time for Senja scenic route. I have read a lot that Senja is such a beautiful island, a must-see when you are in the Tromso area. Actually, all the island has a beautiful nature and is worth a longer stay, but the main places to visit are along the island’s north – Senja scenic route.
Important information about Senja
Senja island can be reached by ferry from Andenes, or Tromso, as well as by bridge in Finnsnes. Overall, you know the usual roads in Norway, they are scenic but really long and slow. So the road trip from any bigger city till the start of the scenic route will take you 3 – 4 hours.
Before the road trip to Senja, there are few things to keep in mind:
- There are only few gas stations in Senja, so make sure to enter the island with full tank;
- There are only few restaurants/cafes in Senja, as well as shops, so be prepared for a picnic – there are so much great places to have one;
- There are few hotels and airbnbs in the island, but make sure that you book them well in advace, otherwise there will be none left or only the most expensive. But here are many places for free camping, as all over the Norway.
How much time you will spend in Senja? It all depends on you, and on the number of mountains you want to conquer and hikes to make. And there are really many.
Senja scenic route – what to visit
Husoy
At the beginning of the Senja scenic route, there is a micro-town – Husoy. It is located in a unique area, an island in the fjord. For many years this island could have been reached only by boat, and only recently there was a road built to it going through a breakwater. The island has only a couple of streets and a few hundred inhabitants. There is not much of a need to drive to the island itself (unless you want to do some successful fishing), but the view of the island from the mountain road leading to it is amazing.
Husoy 
Husoy
Grytetippen
One of the highest peaks in Senja is Grytetippen. Not only that it is high, it is also quite steep. But the views on a bright day are really amazing. There are many peaks to conquer along the Senja scenic route, you might not be able to conquer all of them during one trip (or you might). So you should choose carefully which ones to take, not to kill your legs on the first mountain.
Grytetippen hike could take 3 hours, depending on your fitness level. And also a second peak could be reached on the same hike – Keipen. Also, this is an incredible place to check out the evening and midnight sun. See the hike details.
Segla
When you read about what to do in Senja, the Segla hike will always appear as a top activity. Not only that Segla route is the most popular among tourists and visitors, but it is also the most ‘instagramable’ (is this a word?) mountain in the whole Norway. The walking distance to the mountain and back is around 5 km and it should take around 2 h to make it. The mountain becomes really steep near the peak and quite challenging. See the hike details.
Hesten
Remember when I mentioned that Segla is really Instagram famous? So how can you take a picture of a mountain by actually standing on it? You can’t. This is where the second-most-popular mountain in Senja comes in. Hesten is the neighboring peak to Segla and the place where the most beautiful pictures of Segla are taken. Same as Segla the beginning of the hike upwards is quite pleasant, but the fun part begins close to the peak. The trail is really popular and at some points narrow, so be prepared for some traffic.
Segla and Hesten both are being reached from one side, and on the other side, it’s just a sharp drop into the fjord. Really sharp. So be careful on the edges. I need to confess that my goal for this hike was to take that Instagram picture of Segla, so I reached the point where it looks insanely good and skipped the top of Hesten. See the hike details.
View from the hike 
Towards Hesten 
View from the hike 
The beautiful Segla mountain
Both trails Segla and Hesten start at the cozy little town called Fjordgard. At this point, you might get hungry, so there is a great cafe in the village – Segla grill og pub. Serving from the usual for Norway fish and chips (which were really good), to all kinds of burgers.
Mefjordvær
Right after the 3 famous peaks along the Senja scenic, some spectacular village – Mefjordvær – appears. It is located at the end of the peninsula and provides some great views of the open sea and to the high mountains behind the village itself. Norway’s scenic routes are quite famous with toilet buildings at the rest stops. So is Mefjordvær. Plan your picnic lunch at this village as there are few picnic tables on the end of the breakwater, quite a small but spacious parking. And from this place, you can take several not challenging hikes.
There is an easy 1 h hike along with the village for you to enjoy the easy but spectacular landscape of Senja. The well-paved road will lead you to the Russehula, where you will find a cave that dates back many centuries. As much as I investigated, the cave is rather usual, but the road to it is really impressive. The road quite ends there, but you can continue further on to Skøytneset or the legendary site of Senja’s last witch-burning, Knutskjærringa.
The village 
The breakwater
Ersfjordstranda
At this point, you might look for a great place to spend the night. Ersfjordstranda beach is a really good option for your tent, camper, or simply a car. The weather conditions on this beach will mostly be pleasant as it is surrounded by mountains from three sides. As a usual beach in Norway, its water is turquoise and the sand purely white. Even if you will not spend the night here, take time at least to have a picnic, as there are really many tables and places for bonfires. Enjoy!
Picnic place 
The beach 
The beach
Tungeneset
One more rest area along the Senja Scenic route worth stopping is the Tungeneset rest area. This is also a place for one more hike. You can just wander on the rocks in the area or hike a bit further. This place reminds me Hella, the place of beautiful nature near Tromso.
Tungeneset 
Tungeneset area 
Hike through the rocks
Husfjellet
One more peak that I did not take, but it should be among the hiking options along the Senja scenic route. The hike to Husfjellet is called the most rewarding by some hikers. It is quite long but also quite easy, the hike takes 3 hours, but you avoid crowds and steep uphill. Also, the views are so breathtaking as all the Senja’s landscape. See the hike details.
If you are up for a little detour, at the crossroad you can drive towards Skaland for some really beautiful beaches.
The beach 
The beach
Bergsbotn
This is a must-visit place along the Senja scenic route, to reach it you have to drive along the route and actually pass the Bergsbotn village. This might confuse your navigation system, but actually, at this point in time, the exact place hasn’t got a name. But you can’t miss it, just follow along the scenic route.
It is a 44-meter long platform overlooking the beautiful fjord and the village of Bergsbotn. For those who are afraid of heights – no worries, it’s stable and the views are rewarding.
The viewpoint 
The fjord
Sukkertoppen
To finalize your Senja adventures there is one more hike to make. Depending on which side you have started your way along the Senja scenic route, this could be your first peak as well. Sukkertoppen is a great hike that will take a couple of hours. And will bring you really beautiful views. This is a usual hike that people who are staying at the resort Hamn i Senja are taking, as it is really in close proximity to the place and parking area. The peak is a fantastic place to take in the midnight sun. Be careful, as the hike might get quite steep and at some parts includes a section with a chain. See the hike details.
The end of the Senja scenic route
Gryllefjord is the last city on the Senja scenic route which will take you to further adventures in the island of Andoya. On the other hand, this can be the start of your journey in Senja as well. This ferry route is not so crowded, this is why during summer there are only a couple of ferries per day and no connection in winter. So please plan in advance your arrival on the ferry – some say that you should be here at least 2 h before in Summer. Or you will stay here for at least half a day till the other one comes. Check the timetable here.
If you are interested in driving through more scenic routes in Norway, here are my adventures driving through Helgelandskysten.
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