Most northern lighthouse walk

From the Varanger Fjord we were now on the way to the West, passing Tana bru and taking a little detour up North to the Nordkinn Peninsula. We crossed fascinating landscape until we reached Gamvik and shortly after the Slettnes lighthouse, which is the northernmost mainland lighthouse on Earth.

Parking for the Night near Tana bru
Morning view over the Tana river
The Tana is an excellent river to catch Salmon and Sea Trout

The Nordkinn Peninsula is the northernmost part of mainland Europe, connected to the mainland by a only 500 metre wide isthmus.

Cape Nordkinn  at 71°8′2″N 27°39′0″E is the northernmost point of mainland Norway, and therefore of mainland Europe. You can reach it on a 24km full-day hike from Mehamn and another day back. The terrain is difficult for hiking, consisting largely of several kilometres long rock fields with no actual trail, only erected poles and cairns at rather long distances apart.

The famous North Cape is about 5.7 kilometres further north than Cape Nordkinn and branded as Europe’s “official” northernmost point, although it is on an island but so much easier to reach!

Gamvik
Slettnes Lighthouse

From the parking west of the lighthouse starts a well marked circular route which takes about 1 hour. This area is famous for the many birds breeding here in summer. At this time of the year they all seemed to be gone already. We spent the night at this parking getting a good shake from very heavy winds during the night.

Dwarf Birch growing on the floor to avoid the harsh winds
Sunrise at the Slettnes Lighthouse

6 thoughts on “Most northern lighthouse walk”

  1. Pingback: Reaching the North Cape – we travel

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *