The best hikes on Senja
Hiking the U
June 23, 2025
The best hikes on Senja
Senja is truly a paradise. There are few places on this planet as breathtaking as this small island just south of Tromsø. For years, it remained a hidden gem in Norway, but as the Lofoten Islands are increasingly overrun by tourists, people are starting to look elsewhere. That’s how Vesterålen and Senja have become known to a wider audience. In this blog, we’ve collected the most beautiful hikes on Senja. And at the very bottom, you’ll find our absolute best tips!
Senja
Senja is a place where dramatic mountains rise straight up from the sea, where deep fjords cut into the landscape, and where wild forests, shimmering lakes, and hidden beaches await you at every corner. Often called Norway’s fairytale island, Senja offers a rich blend of raw nature, peace, and pure adventure.
Here, you can follow trails that lead to breathtaking ridges, enjoy panoramic views over a labyrinth of islands, or lose yourself in the silence of a secluded valley. Hiking on Senja is not just about conquering a trail; it’s about slowing down, reconnecting with nature, and letting the magic of the Arctic landscape seep into your soul. But be warned! Most of the hikes are not for the faint-hearted. Expect steep drops and challenging climbs. But...you will be rewarded when you overcome your fears!
The best hikes on Senja
There are many beautiful hikes on Senja, and the great thing is that most of them are easily accessible by car, campervan, or even by bike. But that doesn’t mean they’re easy! The mountains are steep – and so are the trails. Some hiking experience is definitely recommended.
Information signs often describe a trail as “suitable for anyone in good shape” or “family friendly.” Well, we’ve done quite a few of those, and we can honestly say that some of them are quite challenging. Not just because of the elevation gain, but also due to the steep drop-offs and frequent scrambling over rocks.
It’s clear that the idea of what’s “average” differs between Norwegians who grew up in this terrain and international visitors. It’s no surprise that the Red Cross has had to rescue more and more hikers in recent years – many people simply underestimate the trails.
Almost all trails are very well marked and clearly visible thanks to the many hikers that use them. In many areas, wooden boardwalks are now being built to prevent the paths from getting wider and damaging the landscape.
In the Komoot collection below, we’ve gathered the most beautiful hikes on Senja. We haven’t done every single one ourselves, but we’ve covered quite a few!
Our favorites:
- Barden
- Husfjellet
- Stavelitippen
Sleeping
In Norway, they have something called the allemannsretten – the right to roam. It means you’re allowed to pitch your tent on public and private land under certain conditions. You need to stay at least 150 meters away from houses, avoid cultivated farmland, and you can’t stay more than one night in the same spot.
In reality, it’s not always easy to find a good place, especially on Senja. The western part is very steep and offers few flat areas for camping. It’s a bit easier inland and toward the east, but that’s not where the most beautiful hikes are.
Luckily, if you’re on foot or traveling by bike, you can reach remote beaches – and that’s where you’ll find those five-star wild camping spots.
During the summer months, there are a lot of campervans on the road, which can make it quite a challenge to find a spot near the most popular hiking trails. There are a few campsites and quite a few places where you can stay for free – though without any facilities. Early June and September are much quieter.
Along the west coast in particular, you’ll find a decent number of small hotels and places to stay. During high season, however, you’ll need to book well in advance. Just dropping in and hoping for the best will be very difficult in summer, but works fine outside the peak season.
Climate
Senja lies well above the Arctic Circle. Winters are long and dark, while summers are short but filled with light. From mid-May to the end of July, the sun doesn’t set at all! We visited Senja in early June, and there was still snow in many places. The most beautiful hikes in the west, such as Barden and Husfjellet, were almost completely snow-free. In the inland and eastern parts, however, there was still a lot of snow. It’s perfectly normal for snow to fall in May!
Senja – and in fact the entire Norwegian coast – is known for its wild weather, especially during the winter months. Summer is generally calmer, but the weather remains unpredictable. The most important rule Norwegians follow: if the sun is shining, go outside!
Even in June, nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing, but you can also get lovely summer days with temperatures around 20°C. Just prepare for less-than-perfect weather, and you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised!
The best app/website for Norwegian weather is yr.no
Food and water
Silsand, located in the far east of Senja, is the only town with a large supermarket. In the smaller villages like Skaland, Fjordgård, Gryllefjord, Sifjord, and Senjahopen, you’ll also find small local shops. Prices there are usually a bit higher. That said, there are also quite a few small restaurants scattered around Senja.
Norwegians often say that you can drink all flowing water. That means the water from most rivers and lakes is safe to drink. Just be cautious if there’s housing or farmland upstream, as that may affect the quality. It’s best to avoid still water because of possible algae and bacteria. Along the trails, you’ll come across plenty of mountain streams where you can drink the water straight from the source.
In your backpack
Most of the hikes on Senja are day hikes. They are tough hikes that will take you a few hours each time. Most hikes start at sea level and go up to 800 meters altitude. Some important things to have in your backpack:
- Rain jacket and sweater/down jacket
- Snacks and water
- First aid kit
- Hiking poles: So much fine for the knees down and it also helps you a lot uphill.
How to get to Senja
Senja is an island and has only one bridge connecting it to the mainland. That bridge lies to the east between Finnsnes and Silsand. Fortunately, there are also several ferry connections, including for cars.
Ferry from the Lofoten: A large ferry runs between Andenes and Gryllefjord that can take cars and RVs. The ferry does not sail very often and therefore often has long waiting times. Reservations cannot be made, so being on time is the message. Many campers spend the night next to the dock to make sure they can get on first thing in the morning. For cyclists and pedestrians, it is free and they can always come along.
Ferry from Kvaløya: A larger ferry also runs between Brensholmen and Botnhamn. It sails a little more frequently than the ferry to the Lofoten. Cyclists and pedestrians can also travel for free here.
Ferry from Tromsø: there is a hurtigbåt, a fast ferry between Senja and Tromsø. The boat departs from Finnsnes and also stops at Lysnes kai along the way. In less than 1.5 hours you can get from the center of Tromsø to Senja. From there, you can continue to travel by bus, although you have to calculate well with the connections.
Our best tips
Use a bike for the ultimate hike & bike adventure on Senja. That way you can reach the most beautiful camping spots and enjoy breathtaking views along the way - at cycling speed. An added bonus: the ferries to Senja are free for cyclists and you never have to wait because they are full.
Climb Barden at midnight sun: the view you get of the peaks at sunset will be unforgettable. Magical!
Go off-season! Early June and September are the best months to visit Senja. The snow on the coast is mostly gone, there are still relatively few tourists and the insects are still sleeping.
More inspiration
Fietsen in Denemarken
Vijf geheime kampeertips
