Roadtrip along E6
Unique accommodations, local food, gorgeous nature and small charming villages.
Duration: 1 – 4 days
Season: Summer and autumn
Transport: Your own car or rental car
Route: approx. 270 km (plus a detour to Steigen on approx. 100 km)
Experience everything that Northern Norwegian nature and culture has to offer along the way. If you stop at the right places, you can experience both charming villages, traditional food, magnificent nature and architecture – this is a road trip you will remember forever.
Where do I travel, and where do I stop?
This tour starts in Saltdal in the south, and goes north through Sørfold and Steigen to Hamarøy. From here you can drive further north to both Lofoten and Narvik (or even further north).
Start: Saltdal
Start just after you have crossed the Arctic Circle on your way over Saltfjellet. Then you enter the Saltdal National Park municipality with lush forests, endless hiking opportunities, strong rural culture and delicious local food.
Saltdal River
«The Queen of the North»
Saltdal river is known for its good salmon fishing, and is a suitable place for fly fishing. Especially at Storjord, where Saltdal river starts, is a good fishing spot.
Fishing card can be bought at Nordnes Kro og Camping.
We remind you of good fishing habits 😄
Nordland National Park Center & Adde Zetterquist Art Gallery
At Storjord you can visit the Visitor center for the nine national parks in Nordland. Here there is both an activity garden and a nature guiding. Experience both art and nature exhibitions in beautiful architecture and scenic surroundings.
In addition to being a visitor centre, the building contains an art gallery for Per Addes and Kajsa Zetterquist’s visual art.
In the area around Nordland National Park Centre you will find a climbing area wich is popular with children. The centre is an ideal starting point for various walks and hikes in the area.
Møsbrømlefse – A Local delicacy
While you’re in Saltdal, you MUST try Møsbrømlefsa. This is a real Saltenrett you will love! It is more than just a lefse – it symbolises a sense of belonging and identity for an authentic local of Salten, known as a “Saltenværing”.
You can buy some at Nordnes Kro og Camping, a restaurant and camping ground, which doubles as the tourist information office in Saltdal.
The Bike Path in Saltdal
A bike path has been developed throughout Saltdal municipality – right from Storjord to Rognan or vice versa. The stretch between Storjord and Nordnes follows an idyllic nature trail through a forest and beautiful nature. Children love the natural swimming pool beside the path. You will also find benches and a rustic shelter on this route. The stretch from Nordnes to Rognan combines a purpose-built path and parts of the “old road” through Saltdal farmyard and along the banks of the Saltdal river. The path is well marked and signposted.
Tips: At Nordnes Kro & Camping you can pick up a lunch to go with local food!
Rognan
Rognan is the municipal administrative centre in Saltdal. It’s a natural place to stop along the route, with shops, cafés and places to stay. Right in the centre of Rognan, you will find the century-old pier where you can experience one of the last authentic building environments in Norway. If you are lucky, you may meet boat builder Kai Linde, who builds charming Nordland boats.
Ingeborgfossen Waterfalls
Follow the E6 and turn off at the signpost leading to “Botn Krigskirkegård” (war cemetery). Drive on for about 3 km until the road ends. Park at the head of Botnvatn lake, near the suspension bridge. It’s a 30-minute walk from here to the majestic Ingeborgfossen waterfalls. This is a wonderful and easy walk – and we guarantee you will get a good holiday photo!
Experiences in Saltdal
Rago National park
Rago National Park has become a popular destination in Salten. This is hardly surprising as the nature here is exceptionally beautiful and takes most people’s breath away. Over the past couple of years, picturesque Rago has become an Instagram hotspot. Just check #ragonasjonalpark. However, there is plenty of space and you won’t need to hike in a line! You can spend the night in the great outdoors with your friends and family and have an extremely relaxing time. If you are driving a camper van or want to stay in a cabin, you will find Øyra Camping near the start of the hiking route. Swimming and fishing in the nearby river are also wonderful activities!
Bjørklund farm
On your way north, we recommend making a side trip to Styrkesnes. You will be rewarded with beautiful views of the fjord. You can also visit the idyllic farm Bjørklund Gård where you can pick raspberries and strawberries. The berries are extra sweet as they are grown in Arctic conditions with a lot of sun but lower temperatures.
You can also spend the night here in a dome – perfect for couples.
Return from Styrkesnes via route no. 7500 (the old E6) on “forgotten paths” through beautiful Bonådalen, Sildhopen and Mørsvikbotn. In Mørsvikbotn, you will find a grocery store, fuel, toilet and camping ground with an emptying station
Experiences in Sørfold
Bøsanden and Brennviksanden
Continue driving and turn off to Steigen, the municipality often referred to as the “most beautiful natural secret in Nordland”. You will find everything from steep mountains with fjord views to a unique archipelago with chalk-white sandy beaches and azure green water.
The two most beautiful beaches are Bøsanden on the island of Engeløya and Brennviksanden in Helnessund.
Long sand dunes and slightly cold water await here (but it’s so beautiful that you almost forget this). A day at the beach here is likely to provide plenty of photos for your Instagram feed.
Remember to clean up after you and take your rubbish with you, so that the next visitors can have the same enjoyable nature-based experience as you. (Brennviksanden is a nature reserve, so camping and campfires are prohibited on and around the beach, but you are welcome to swim as much as you want!).
Video: Bøsanden
Unique places to stay in Steigen
A night (or three) in Steigen is in order because you will find several of the most unique places to stay in the entire Salten region.
With its beautiful location and wonderful architecture, the island of Manshausen has become a favourite among journalists and influencers the world over.
Helnessund Brygger has an idyllic location and many activities ideal for families and friends. The same goes for Nordskot Brygge. On the island of Naustholmen you can stay in a charming room or rent a hammock tent, and enjoy food and good stories dished up by the owner and adventurer Randi Skaug – the first Norwegian woman to conquer Mount Everest. She will gladly take you on a hike!
Experiences in Steigen
The Hamsun center and og Hamsun’s childhood home
If you continue north to Hamarøy, visiting The Hamsun Centre is an absolute “must”. The centre is in an architectural gem in the landscape that inspired Nobel Prize-winning author Knut Hamsun’s novels.
You can attend a book reading, reading group or explore the centre on your own. While in Hamarøy, you can also visit Hamsun’s Childhood Home and the old trading post at Breidablikk.
Tranøy
In the nature and culture village of Tranøy, you can stay overnight in the Tranøy lighthouse, visit galleries, treat yourself to spa treatments or simply experience a unique North Norwegian village. You can also experience an outdoor art park with a diversity of sculptures.
Climbing up Hamarøyskaftet
Adrenaline-seeking youth and adults will love the climb up to the summit of Hamarøyskaftet. You can hike to Skaftheia on your own, but if you want to continue to the summit you should have assistance from a professional climbing instructor. Nordland Turselskap can guide you safely to the summit. This is guaranteed to be one of the most memorable nature-based adventures of your holiday.
Experiences in Hamarøy
Drive Further North?
You can travel by express boat from Skutvik in Hamarøy to the Lofoten Islands (Svolvær).
If you are driving by car, you can catch the ferry from Skutvik to Svolvær via Skrova during the summer. Alternatively, you can drive about 40 minutes to Bognes and catch the ferry from there to Lødingen. This service operates year-round.
If you want a longer trip, you can drive to Narvik and continue from there to the Lofoten Islands.
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