Hamningberg, Norway: Tips for Visiting Finnmark’s Lunar-Like Village

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I have visited this part of the Varanger Peninsula twice, but on my first journey up there, it was covered in fog. Not just for a few hours, but days! It made a trip to Hamningberg kind of scary since I had never ventured out that way.

So, on my last trip to Vardø, visiting Hamningberg was a MUST and I was going to make sure of it! In this guide, I will detail how to visit Hamningberg, Norway, including why you should and what there is to see along the way.

How to visit Hamningberg, Norway: Tips, What to Do, & More!
How to visit Hamningberg, Norway: Tips, What to Do, & More!

I will preface this by saying that this trip needs a car unless you’re taking a boat there during the summer months.

It also requires driving along a thin stretch of road and sometimes along cliffs high above the ocean, so if you’re a timid driver or one who is inexperienced, I do not recommend driving this route.

The road from Vardø to Hamningberg.
The road from Vardø to Hamningberg.

If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments! I am more than happy to answer them!

About Hamningberg, Norway

Hamningberg sits at the end of one of Norway’s 18 ‘Nasjonale Turist Veger’, or ‘National Scenic Routes’. It is located in Båtsfjord Kommune.

These road trip routes stretch throughout the entirety of the country, but Hamningberg may just be the most remote part of any of them as it is located in a part of Norway so remote and north that many Norwegians don’t even know it exists.

The end of the road in Hamningberg, Norway
The end of the road in Hamningberg, Norway

While it is constantly stated that Hamningberg is abandoned, it kind of is and kind of isn’t. There are summer cottages there and it definitely felt ‘lived-in’ when I was there (at the end of August 2024). It is, however, listed as abandoned since 1964.

One of the main reasons to drive to Hamningberg is that it has retained its old ‘fishing village’ feeling.

Buildings in Hamningberg
Buildings in Hamningberg

It was one of the few villages on the Varanger Peninsula that was not burned down by the Germans when they were retreating in the 1940s. Bugøynes and Kongsfjord are two other villages that were not destroyed that I have linked my guides to.

Today, there is not much there aside from a chapel, wooden homes, a pier, and a few memorials. But, the drive there is what makes it unique, in my opinion.

The iconic red chapel in Hamningberg
The iconic red chapel in Hamningberg

To get there, you will need to pass and carry on through Svartnes to the village. This drive is insane. Once you pass Smelror, the landscape starts to become lunar-like.

The rocks are so jagged and otherworldly that it will be hard to not stop every 5 minutes to marvel at it (but don’t… because it will block the road!).

What the landscape looks like driving there.
What the landscape looks like driving there.
More scenes from the drive to the village.
More scenes from the drive to the village.

Hamningberg is located around 45 kilometers (28 miles) from Vardø and it will take an hour to get there without stops or traffic.

But, you will likely have to stop to let other cars go by as the road is mostly one lane the entire journey. I will give more driving tips below.

Highlights from the Road from Vardø to Hamningberg

Along the road from Vardø to Hamningberg, there are a few things to stop and see. They are:

  • Bird-watching hut: So, there is one at the end in Hamningberg that I will mention below but there is another one as soon as you start this route.
  • Minnebauta: this is a memorial to a few men fallen to fascism in Norway that dates back to 1943. It is in both Russian and Norwegian. This stop kind of comes up on you quickly and there is a beautiful backdrop, but be careful as there is not a lot of parking here so don’t block the road.
  • Sandfjordneset: great area to stop and stretch your legs. Tends to be a lot of birds near here! You will need to stop right before you get to it (I marked it on the map).
Sandfjordneset area (and my little car!)
Parked in the Sandfjordneset area
Minnebauta
Minnebauta (there is ocean behind those rocks)
More scenes from the drive (this was one of the most open areas).
More scenes from the drive (this was one of the open stretches).

After these few places, you will then arrive in gorgeous Hamningberg!

A few things you can check out in Hamningberg are:

  • Bird-watching hut in Hamningberg: the village has another and you can get to it by driving to the very end of the road. But, I think it is discouraged to park down there so I would park at the beginning of the village and walk down (it is not far).
  • Hamningberg Batteri: this is a WWII defense area you can hike to.
  • Hamningberg Kirke: you will definitely see this while in the village. It’s a red, wooden building.
  • Hamningberg Lighthouse: I didn’t make it this far as it requires a coastal walk/hike to get to. But it is there past the batteri.
  • Kafe Pakkhuskaia: This is a seasonal cafe that is located on the harbor. They have waffles, coffee, and a few small eats. Definitely a worthwhile stop when driving through if it is open!
  • Hamningberg Turstig: You will find the trailhead at the parking lot in the village.
  • Redningsaksjonen ved Hamningberg: This is a memorial right at the start of the Finnmark village that is dedicated to the untimely deaths on the R/S Colin Archer in 1894. You can read more about it here (although it is in Norwegian). This area also has access to the sandy beach in Hamningberg!
Memorial to R/S Colin Archer
Memorial to R/S Colin Archer
In Hamningberg
In Hamningberg
More beautiful cottages in Hamningberg
More beautiful cottages near Hamningberg.
Visiting Hamningberg, Norway
Visiting Hamningberg, Norway

Tips for Driving to Hamningberg

As I mentioned above, the road is one lane for most of the drive and it is in ‘decent’ condition. The winters and weather are so harsh in this part of the country that I imagine it is hard to keep this road in impeccable condition. 

➡️ Since it is a one-lane road, you will need to drive accordingly. Cars will come at you head-on and you will need to get over if you see them and there is an area to do so (and they will do the same for you). It was pretty easy but it is a lot of starting and stopping.

➡️ Sheep and reindeer may be on the roads. Be careful and keep an eye out!

This is a quick view of the road from a driver's perspective.
This is a quick view of the road from a driver’s perspective.

➡️ Hamningberg is not accessible year-round! It closes when conditions turn snowy/icy (has closed between November 4 and December 22 in previous years) and reopens in late spring (has ranged from April 18 to May 25 in previous years). This is the entirety of the route from Smelror to Hamningberg. You can check the road’s closure on the official website.

➡️ Weather can be an issue. There is regular fog and storms in this part of Varanger, so be careful if the weather is not playing nice when you plan to visit Hamningberg.

Crossing into Båtsfjord Kommune
Crossing into Båtsfjord Kommune

➡️ There are no gas stations from Vardø to Hamningberg. You will need to get gas in Vardø at the YX near the Vardø Hotel. If you do not plan to detour into Vardø until after you go to Hamningberg, fill up in Vadsø as there is nothing in between Vadsø and Vardø.

➡️ Go the speed limit. There are bumps in a few places that will bottom out your car! I also saw a cop (which is rare) near Smelror. Otherwise, the number of twists and blind turns on this route makes it very dangerous if you do not drive accordingly.

Map of the Road Trip to Hamningberg from Vardø

🗺️  HOW TO USE THIS MAP: You can use your fingers/mouse to zoom in and out. To get more info about a place, simply touch/click the icons. Want to save this map for later use? Click the ‘⭐’ by the map title and it will add it to your Google Maps account (Saved > Maps or ‘Your Places’).

Where to Stay in Hamningberg

There are no hotels in Hamningberg but you can occasionally find an Airbnb with availability there.

I stayed at the Vardø Hotel. I can highly recommend a stay there and just doing a day trip to Hamningberg (although it is pretty cool to wake up to the village if you can find an Airbnb there).

Hamningberg is one of the coolest places I have visited in Norway.

Hamningberg, Norway
Hamningberg, Norway

I can’t wait to make a return trip there (and possibly camp next summer). I highly recommend visiting if moon-like landscapes fascinate you (and you want to get off the path a bit in Norway). Let me know if you have any questions in the comments!

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Are you looking to visit Hamningberg, Norway on your upcoming Varanger trip? This guide includes how to visit, what to see there, and some driving tips! | Finnmark villages | Vardø to Hamningberg | Norway Scenic Route | Norway NasjonaleTuristVeger | Norway road trip | Varanger itinerary | Norway village | Norway fishing village

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