Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ible by vehicle - and to be treasured all the more for it. And Nordkapp technically inhabits
an island -
mainland
Europe's northernmost point is away to the east, at Kinnarodden on
the Nordkyn Peninsula.
WORTH A TRIP
KNIVSKJELODDEN
The continent's real northernmost point, Knivskjelodden, is mercifully inaccessible to
vehicles and devoid of tat. Lying about 3km west of Nordkapp, it sticks its finger a full
1457m further northwards. You can hike to the tip of this promontory from a marked car
park 6km south of the Nordkapp toll booth - the trails are likely to be snowbound (and
hence impassable) deep into May and possibly as early as September.
The 9km track, waymarked with giant cairns, isn't difficult despite some ups and
downs, but it's best to wear hiking boots since it can be squelchy. When you get to the tall
beehive-shaped obelisk at latitude N 71° 11' 08”, down at sea level, sign the guest book.
Should you wish, note down your reference number from the topic and you can buy -
nothing but the hike comes free on this island - a certificate (Nkr50) authenticating your
achievement from
Nordkapp Camping
or the
tourist office
.
Allow five to six hours round
trip.
Getting There & Away
There are a few options for getting to and from Nordkapp and Magerøya.
The Hurtigruten coastal ferry calls by Honningsvåg. Its 3½-hour northbound stop allows
passengers a quick buzz up to Nordkapp.
An express bus connects Honningsvåg with Alta (Nkr475, four hours, one to two daily)
and there's also a run to/from Hammerfest (Nkr425, 3½ hours, one to two daily).
The road approach from the E6 is via Olderfjord, where the E69 branches north.
Getting Around
CAR & MOTORCYCLE
Until the blacktop road to Nordkapp was constructed in the mid-1950s, all access was by
boat. Nowadays, the route winds across a rocky (and often snowbound) plateau past herds
