The great round trip â from Pasvik to Nordkinn
A week is enough time to see Varanger in its full breadth â from the deep pine forest in Pasvik in the south, via the fjord villages and SĂĄmi culture, out to the bird cliff and tourist route in the east, and up to the weather-beaten fishing villages on Nordkinn. This is the complete round trip, planned so you're always moving forward without spending all day in the car.
Day 1 â Arrival in Kirkenes and Pasvik
Land in Kirkenes, pick up a rental car and drive south through Pasvikdalen â a lush pine forest where Norway, Finland and Russia meet. Look for moose and bear tracks, visit Ăvre Pasvik National Park or a bird tower, and stay overnight in the area.
Day 2 â Kirkenes and SĂĄmi culture
Explore Kirkenes â the border town with Russian character and war history â before driving west towards Varangerbotn. Visit Varanger SĂĄmi Museum (Ăja) and Nesseby Church on the headland. Stay overnight in Vadsø.
Day 3 â Vadsø and Ekkerøy
Spend the day on the south side of the fjord. Explore Vadsø town centre and the airship mast from the polar expeditions, and drive out to Ekkerøy where the puffin colony sits right by the road. A relaxed day with short driving and plenty of nature.
Day 4 â Vardø and Hornøya
Drive to Vardø, Norway's easternmost town. Take the boat to Hornøya for the bird cliff up close, visit Steilneset memorial and Vardøhus fortress. Stay overnight in Vardø.
Day 5 â National tourist route to Hamningberg
Drive the outermost stretch from Vardø to Hamningberg through dramatic moonscape, all the way until the road ends at the abandoned village. Take your time at the rest stops. (Closed in winter â swap for indoor culture and northern lights instead.)
Day 6 â Nordkinn: BerlevĂĽg or BĂĽtsfjord
Drive north to the outer coast â BerlevĂĽg with its famous pier and male choir, or BĂĽtsfjord, one of Norway's largest fishing villages. Here you feel the Barents Sea in your body: raw, beautiful and genuine. Bird watching, harbour and local food.
Day 7 â King crab and journey home
Round off the week with a king crab safari and fresh catch before you drive back towards Kirkenes or Vadsø. Adjust according to your departure times, and allow good margins for the long distances.
đď¸
7 days
Recommended length
đ˛
Pasvik
Primeval forest where three countries meet
đŚ
Hornøya
Norway's easternmost bird cliff
đŁ
Nordkinn
Outer coast's fishing villages
đ
Long distances â plan your driving
On a week-long trip you cover large distances. From Pasvik in the south to BerlevĂĽg in the north is several hours' drive. Fill up the tank in the towns, check weather and road conditions, and book accommodation along the way in advance â there are few beds in the region.
Plan the week trip
- đ Book accommodation for the whole week before departure â especially in Vardø, BerlevĂĽg and BĂĽtsfjord.
- đŚBook king crab safari and Hornøya boat early, they fill up quickly in season.
- â˝Plan fuel/charging according to the long stages towards Nordkinn.
- đIn winter: replace tourist route and bird cliff with northern lights, snowmobile and king crab under the ice.
- đ§ĽPack for all seasons â the outer coast is raw, and the weather turns quickly.
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