The route starts from Snow Hotel, a few kilometers from Kirkenes center. The hotel is open for overnight stays year-round.
On the way back to the harbor, you can either take the main route or follow the ski trail, which is more rugged and on gravel. Although there are a few short, steep hills, it’s a fantastic route that brings you close to nature. You’ll also see traces of the old railway that once transported ore from the Sørvaranger mine all the way to the coast, which remained operational until 2015.
The ship leaves Kirkenes 12.30 pm and arrives in Vardø after a great sailing at 4 pm. Vardø is located on an island, and to reach the mainland, travelers must pass through a 2.7 km long undersea tunnel. It is permitted to cycle through the tunnel, and many cyclists do so. There is a sign in the tunnel warning of sheep on the road. The sign is positioned in a way that cyclists on the sidewalk could potentially hit. Alternatively, one can take a bus or taxi through the tunnel. From the mainland, a truly spectacular road begins toward the old fishing village of Hamningberg. The start is flat, giving a sense of being on a plateau, even though you’re right by the fjord. The barren, open landscape provides a great view, and the ground is covered with moss and grass tufts. Reindeer graze here, and you might find cloudberries along the way – the gold of the mountains! The wind can be strong on these open plains. A bird-watching shelter is set up, providing good cover if it’s windy.
Gradually, the landscape changes and becomes more dominated by mountains, boulders, and moraine walls. The mountains, shaped by ice ages, give the feeling of cycling on another planet. Along the way, beautiful long beaches appear, tempting you to take a dip on nice days. At the end of the road lies Hamningberg. The fishing village was not destroyed during the war and is one of the few places in Finnmark where old houses have been preserved. In summer, there’s a café and accommodation available here. In winter, the road closes with the first snowfall.
12:30 PM Sailing from Kirkenes
4:00 PM Arriving in Vardø
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