Hellmobotn recreation area

Kjøpsvik

Hellmobotn, or Vuodnabahta in Lule Sami, is located at the innermost part of Hellmofjorden in Hamarøy municipality. Here, fjords, high mountains, Lule Sami cultural landscape and old traffic routes meet – in an area where mainland Norway is at its narrowest south of Finnmark, with only 6.3 kilometres as the crow flies from the fjord to the national border with Sweden.

Highlights

  • Experience a raw fjord and mountain landscape where Norway is at its narrowest
  • Follow marked trails from the quay towards the high mountains, border areas and Sweden
  • Learn about an important Lule Sami cultural landscape with long travel traditions
  • See Hellmojuvet from the Kanonen viewpoint, 200 meters above the gorge
  • Explore an important hub on DNT's Nordland route

Description

Hellmobotn provides a strong meeting place between nature, culture and history. At the innermost part of Hellmofjorden, the hiking opportunities start right from the quay, with the fjord behind you and the mountain in front of you. The area is located in a traditional Lule Sami landscape, where the traffic routes to Sweden have been used for centuries.

From Hellmobotn you can walk in easy trail terrain in the valley floor, cross rivers on bridges and follow marked routes further towards the national border. The trip from Hellmobotn to the border with Sweden is today a popular travel route, and from the innermost part of Hellmobotn to the border it is 6.3 kilometers as the crow flies. This makes the area the narrowest on the mainland in Norway south of Finnmark. Along the way, the landscape goes from fjord to high mountain, with steep climbs at the start before the terrain gradually flattens out more.

The area also has strong historical significance. The Lule Sami have people and a sense of belonging on both sides of the border, and during World War II, the route was an important refugee route. Today, Hellemobotn is also a hub on DNT's Nordland route, with connections south towards Sulitjelma, north towards Sitas and east towards Vaisaluokta and Padjelantaleden in Sweden.

This is an outdoor area for those who want to get close to the Narvik region's larger landscape: fjords, high mountains, cultural history and traffic routes that connect the coast and inland. Some parts of the area have easy paths, while the hikes further into the border mountains can be very demanding.

Additional information

The area is located at the innermost part of the Hellmofjord, in a traditional Lule Sami area.
The trip to Sweden follows a traditional traffic route and is marked with the Norwegian Trekking Association's T's.
There are bridges over rivers that must be crossed on the route described.
The terrain at the bottom of the valley is described as easy, dry and nice in the summer, but there are steep climbs at the start of the hike up to the mountain.
Hiking in the high mountains and the border areas can be very demanding. Weather, road conditions and your own experience must be carefully considered.
At the Kanonen viewpoint, you stand 200 meters above Hellmojuvet. Keep a good distance from steep edges.
An open turf hut is located about 3 kilometres before the national border and can be used as a resting place.

Map & Directions

96 km

From the center of Narvik, follow the E6 south towards Ballangen. Drive through Ballangen and further over the Efjord bridges. After the bridges, continue for a short distance before turning left and following rv. 827 towards Kjøpsvik. Continue through the tunnels and along the fjord towards Kjøpsvik. From Kjøpsvik or Drag, the express boat goes on to Hellmobotn in the summer. When you arrive at the quay in Hellmobotn, the hiking opportunities start from there.