Hammerfest Norway Strolling Tour – World’s Northernmost Metropolis

Welcome to the northernmost metropolis on the planet, Hammerfest, Norway!  For most individuals, simply attending to the distant Arctic Circle is an journey.  This was positively the case for me.  As an Acupuncturist-at-Sea, I travelled to Hammerfest and launched into my cruise ship with Holland America Cruise Line.  I arrived on a sunny, summer season day at 70 levels with at some point to discover.  General, I loved solo my Hammerfest Norway strolling tour.  Right here’s my journey story and recommendations on the right way to get there and discover this one-of-a-kind Norwegian port.

The Hammerfest northern lights turned well-known by the journey author, Invoice Bryson.  In his ebook Neither Right here Nor There he refers to Hammerfest as, “an agreeable enough town in a thank-you-God-for-not-making-me-live-here sort of way”.   In distinction, for me being there in summer season, my ideas lit up with the thought, that I might dwell right here for some time.  Nonetheless, I in all probability would agree with Invoice Bryon through the wintertime.

About Hammerfest, Norway

The Hammerfest declare as northernmost metropolis on the planet relies on your definition of metropolis.  About 10,000 inhabitants dwell in Hammerfest.  The close by Honningsvag, Norway is definitely barely extra north, nonetheless, it has lower than 2,000 folks and isn’t thought-about a metropolis.  Regardless, Hammerfest lies within the Arctic Circle at 70.66 levels N.  The Sami individuals are the natives of northern Norway, identified for his or her shut connection to nature and reindeers.

The Hammerfest municipality lies on the mainland with 3 massive islands: Soroya, Seiland and Kvaloya.  Additionally, town spreads on smaller islands, corresponding to, Kamoya and Little Kamoya.  Hammerfest is known as after “hammer” or massive rocks in Previous Norse, used for mooring the boats.  “Fest” means fasten (for boats).

The local weather of Hammerfest is subarctic with no permafrost.  It’s surprisingly heat for being so north because of the Gulf Stream.  This heat present of water flows north from the Caribbean, conserving Norwegian coastal waters about 20 levels hotter than locations on the similar latitude in different components of the world.  Nonetheless, Hammerfest will get heavy snowfall within the winter and is commonly in danger for avalanches.  The midnight solar occurs right here from Might 14 to July 31.  In distinction, the polar night time lasts from November 23 to January 19.

How one can Get to Hammerfest, Norway within the Arctic Circle

There are 3 fundamental methods to reach in Hammerfest.  I researched all of them and selected flying.  I flew to Tromso on Scandinavian Airways.  Then, I took a small propellor airplane with Wideroe Airways, carrying about 40 passengers to Hammerfest.  Being a nervous flyer, I surprisingly loved essentially the most lovely and serene flights of my life over Norway.

The climate remained clear and calm for breathtaking views of the fjords.  An alternative choice is a public bus from Tromso taking about 9 hours.   Probably the most scenic route is by sea on the Hurtigruten.  This vessel is a big cruise ship that goes alongside the Norwegian coast via the fjords.

Take a look at my Youtube Video on Hammerfest!

My Half-Day Hammerfest Norway Strolling Tour

My strolling tour started from my lodging on the Sensible Resort on the waterfront.  With little analysis, my plan included strolling the waterfront and taking the zigzag path to the highest of Salen Mountain for a panoramic view.  At 2 pm I headed towards the City Corridor Sq. alongside the waterfront.  The day was good with clear skies, no wind and a gentle 70 levels.  It was Sunday, so I found lots of the eating places and museums have been closed.  I simply wished to be outdoors, anyway.

City Corridor Sq. is a good spot to start out a strolling tour!

After sitting on a bench absorbing solar on the waterfront, I meandered 5 minutes to the favored City Corridor Sq..  It bustled with vitality from the sun-infused locals, youngsters on bicycles and meals vans.  I took my photograph op on the City Corridor in entrance of the Hammerfest sculpture with polar bears.

Close to the City Corridor is the favored “Fountain Mother and Children.” The sculpture fountain shows a mom surrounded by her 4 youngsters.  An American Ambassador donated the fountain, symbolizing his mom and youngsters initially from Hammerfest.

I noticed racial range and found that many immigrants transfer to Hammerfest for work.  Additionally, I discovered the locals very pleasant!

A person from Syria waved at my GoPro for a pleasant interview, introducing me to his household.  He moved to Hammerfest for work.  Later a younger boy on a motorbike approached me from Morrocco.  His household moved right here, so his dad might work as a taxi driver.  General, I loved the locals as very pleasant recognizing me straight away as a vacationer to talk.  Many approached me curiously, “Where are you from?”

Subsequent, I headed for Zigzag Path to Salen Mountain Viewpoint

I took the steps on the left (going through fountain) of the favored Fountain Mom and Youngsters.  Then, I crossed the road and walked by the brilliant blue Music Pavilion or Gazebo.  It commemorated the 200-year anniversary on the institution of Hammerfest in 1779.  Then, I continued up the steps to the signal for The zigzag highway or Zigzag Path.  Right here, I seen one other signal for The old road or The Previous Street. Gammelveien is 2.8-mile loop path, signposted all through city and on high of Salen Mountain.  It’s used as a strolling or biking path with implausible views of Soroysund.

The steep Zigzag Path is a couple of 10-to-15-minute climb and a part of Gammelveien.  On a transparent day that is one of the best factor to do for guests.  Being up there presents nice perspective and breathtaking views.  From there, I continued strolling towards the Turistua Restaurant.  As a result of it was Sunday, the restaurant was closed.  It appeared great with indoor/out of doors seating going through the view beneath.

Close by, I finished at Mikkelgammen, additionally closed because of it being Sunday.  Nonetheless, I nonetheless noticed up shut the grassy roofed buildings that appeared akin to Norwegian heritage.  Mikkelgammen is a spot to find and expertise the Sami Tradition regarding the native folks of northern Norway.  For instance, you possibly can style Sami meals, like reindeer meat and cloudberry jam.

A neighborhood gave me instructions on strolling the Previous Street Loop on Salen Mountain.  The trail circles on high of the mountain, then descends again into city.

Excitedly, I took the native’s instructions and adopted the inexperienced indicators saying Gammelveien, that means The Previous Street.  It took about 45 minutes to stroll the loop.  General, I found many unimaginable viewpoints and trails.  Many different trails department from Previous Street to distinctive websites.   I handed by reindeer dung.  Evidently, reindeer dwell on Salen Mountain.  Moreover, a neighborhood mentioned she lately noticed a mom reindeer with 2 calves.  Later, I learn that reindeer herds migrate from the winter inland pastures to the coast in the summertime.  Sorry that I didn’t see any reindeers!

Making the ultimate stretch down the mountain on the path, the harbor and city have been again in view.  I walked down the busy Kirkegata Avenue towards town heart.  I walked previous the Museum of Reconstruction. This museum showcases the reconstruction of Hammerfest after it turned demolished in WW 2.   Subsequent, I walked by the pyramid-shaped Hammerfest Church.  Additionally, proper subsequent door to the church, I noticed 2 trolls mischievously standing in a entrance yard.

Lastly, I made it again to the QA Restaurant on the waterfront.  Two locals really helpful this restaurant to me.  It’s positioned on the City Corridor Sq. with indoor/out of doors seating close to the water.  They provide a common menu with a wide variety of seafood, sandwiches, Norwegian delicacies, beers and wines.  I loved my QA burger and fries with a Carlsberg Beer.  Cheers to Hammerfest!

Different Locations to See in Hammerfest that I Missed:

Royal and Historic Polar Bear Society
Struve Geodetic Arc (World Heritage Record)
Day by day Boat Rides to North Cape or Northern Cape
(I went there earlier than when in Norway – don’t miss it!)

The place to Keep and Eat in Hammerfest

Smarthotel Hammerfest – That is the place I stayed and cherished every thing about it!  I’d advocate it to anybody!  The rooms are environment friendly, clear, good and small.  My single room was about $110 and even had a view of the waterfront.  The Norwegian breakfast buffet is included and spectacular with contemporary fruits, breads, yogurts, cheeses, pastries, eggs, and meat.

Scandic Resort – That is one other good, snug possibility near the water and metropolis heart.  It additionally presents meals and drinks.

Eating places and Meals Vehicles
Hammerfest Norway Strolling Tour

QA Restaurant – I cherished my dinner for each meals and ambiance right here.  My out of doors seating close to the water and City Corridor Sq. was good.  They provide a various menu with seafood, sandwiches, Norwegian delicacies and burgers.

Meals Vehicles at City Corridor Sq. – I noticed an Asian meals truck with dishes, corresponding to, pad thai and wontons.  Additionally, there’s a Center Japanese truck with meals like falafels, kebabs & dolmas.

Turistua Restaurant – On high of Salen Mountain, this restaurant has indoor/out of doors seating with panoramic views of town and waterfront beneath.

Different suggestions that I didn’t strive embody Sakaya Asian Cooking and Burger AND Grill.

Take pleasure in Hammerfest, Norway!

Whether or not you’re going to see the Northern Lights within the winter or the midnight solar in the summertime, Hammerfest is a singular journey!  You possibly can expertise issues right here you could nowhere else.  Plus, the locals are so pleasant!  After spending a day on my Hammerfest Norway strolling tour, it felt like an journey of a lifetime.  Please depart your feedback beneath.  Let me know any suggestions you’ve on the right way to most take pleasure in wonderful Hammerfest.

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