Our Nordkapp

Originally we had intended to visit Nordkapp, the (almost) most northern point of Europe. We heard and read from several sources that it is quite the tourist trap and we have had enough of those already. Then, the actual most northern point can only be reached by a lengthy hike from the Nordkapp tourist centre. If we're not even really going to the actual most northern point we might as well select our own most northern destination. Slettness Fyr is the most northern lighthouse on mainland in the world, and we decided to go there instead. The coordinates are 71°05'22.3"N 28°13'07.1"E, or
71.089535, 28.218647. There is evidence that people have lived in this very remote area of northern Norway since the Stone Age. The wife of one of the early Viking kings (AD 900ish) came from here. In 1905 the lighthouse was erected, but demolished by the retreating German Army in 1944. The lower ten rings of the cast-iron building remained standing though, and it was quickly put back into service. It is the only remaining cast-iron lighthouse in Norway. It was manned all year round until 2005 when the lighthouse was automated. Up to four families had lived there.

Max claims he put his feet into the Arctic Ocean and that it was simply not the kind of weather one would like to go for a swim.

The road to and from this area was also something beautiful. The landscape changed dramatically with altitude. Crystal clear streams meandering through lush green meadows in the valleys lined with birch trees. Stark, rocky, moon like scenery on the hills.

We found a quiet spot to sleep by a stream near the beach to Steinvag Sandfjorden between Gamvik and Mehamn. The next morning we went back to the camp site in Skiippegurra. Interestingly the camp site was also home to a helicopter service. Every morning we would see them taking off, and then come back and land in the camp grounds in the evening.

Next destination: Inari in Finland