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| A stuffed polar bear outside a souvenir shop in Tromso, North Norway. Photo © Chris Raven |
For a scenic journey of a lifetime, head to Tromsø in Northern Norway and drive part of the E6 highway from Tromsø to Hammerfest Europe's Northernmost town. This region is home to spectacular fjords, Native Sami Reindeer Herders and birdlife.
Photography by The Raven Brothers
The awesome E6 highway runs from the very south of Sweden all the way to Finnmark in the north of Norway, and transports those willing to take the
challenge 3,140km (1,950 miles) through breathtaking landscape to the polar
regions of Europe. By far one of the most
intriguing sections of this road runs between Tromsø and Hammerfest in the far north, where you have
the opportunity to cruise the open highway, meet native Sami people and their
reindeers and spot an abundance of birdlife including the giant White Tailed
Eagle.
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| Fjords look out over snow-capped mountains. Photo © Simon Raven |
If the thought of driving the entire length of this road
sounds too hardcore, there is the alternative option of flying into Tromsø
and exploring some of the most striking section of this highway by hired car.
With regular flights to Tromsø from Oslo and Bergen.
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| A Native Sami man, Finnmark, Norway. Photo © Simon Raven |
Although there is not a lot to do along the route apart from
visit the Stone Age rock carvings in Alta, this section of the E6 passes
through some of the most dramatic scenery in the world, and will have you
pulling over at every turn. Long stretches of empty beaches along the fjords look
out over snow-capped mountains. Wildlife thrives here, particularly during the
summer months, and the feeling of space will have you wishing you never had to
return to the hustle and bustle of the modern world.
Both Tromsø and Hammerfest
have a number of accommodation options available, ranging from top end hotels
to budget hostels. In Hammerfest The Royal And Ancient Polar Bear Society exhibition is an absolute must-see. Alta is also a great place to spend a few days along route,
not only to visit the Stone Age Rock Carvings, but also to explore the 400
metre deep Sautso canyon. A stay in a native Sami Lavvu, which is similar to a
Native American tipi can be arranged by tour operaters in Tromsø and Alta.
Car rental companies can be found in both Tromsø and Hammerfest, and there are
regular flights between these two intriguing destinations.
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| Empty E6 highway heading for Hammerfest and Nordkapp, Norway. Photo © Chris Raven |
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| A cute Sami sovenier for sale. Photo © Chris Raven |
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| Reindeer runs across the highway 200km south of Hammerfest, Norway. Photo Chris Raven |
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| Boats in the harbour in Tromso, Norway. Photo © Simon Raven |
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| Decorative fabric on a reindeer in Norway. Photo © Chris Raven |
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