Berg municipality in Norway has approximately 1.000 inhabitants and covers a area of 294,0 km2. The administrative centre is the village of Skaland. Other villages include Finnsæter, Mefjordvær, and Senjahopen. Berg was the first place in the world to utilize a hydroelectrical power station in the mining community of Hamn. When the mining industry ceased, the “electrical adventure” did as well. The buildings are still located at Hamn, now functioning as a special hotel / lodge.
Berg faces the Atlantic Ocean on the west side of the large island of Senja. The largest urban area in Berg is the village of Senjahopen. The highest point on the island, the mountain Breidtinden, is located in the northeastern part of Berg. There are three large fjords that cut into the municipality: Bergsfjorden, Ersfjorden, and Mefjorden.
The ferry landing in the old fishing village of Gryllefjord is the point where Senja meets Lofoten and Vesterålen. In the east is Finnsnes and the 45-metre high Gisundbrua bridge which is the gateway to Senja. Senja is made up of contrasts. The difference from the exterior to the interor are large, and you will find variations in the landscape, people and cultures.
SENJAHOPEN
Senjahopen or Senjehopen is a village located along the Mefjorden on the northwest part of the large island of Senja, where it is one of the most important fishing villages on the island. Another nearby fishing village is Mefjordvær, which located about 3 kilometres to the northwest of Senjahopen, along the Mefjorden on the northwest coast of the large island of Senja. Although Senjahopen is about 10 km north of the municipal center of Skaland, the trip took well over an hour to drive, until 2004 when the Geitskartunnelen opened. The new road under the mountains cut about 95 km off of the trip between the two villages.
Mefjord Brygge are an all-year holiday resort located between the mountains and fjords on Senja island. Our main focus is active tourism, nature experiences, seasonal Activity Packages and deluxe tailor-made holidays.
SENJA
Senja is the second largest island in Norway. Senja is located along the Troms county coastline with Finnsnes as the closest town. Senja is connected to the mainland by the Gisund Bridge. The municipalities located on Senja are Lenvik (part of which is on the mainland), Berg, Torsken, and Tranøy. The island has an area of 1.586.3 km² and less than 8000 inhabitants. Population centroid is along Gisundet inside the island. This is also the largest settlement, Silsand. The largest fishing village is Gryllefjord, with a summer ferry to Andøya in Vesterålen. If you arrive with the ferry from Andenes to Gryllefjord, you´ll find the Hulder- and Trollpark located at road E86 on the right side of the road, direction from Gryllefjord towards Finnsnes.
The north and western coasts of Senja are facing the open sea. Here, steep and rugged mountains rise straight from the sea, with some fishing villages wherever there is some lowland. The eastern and southern parts of the island are milder, with rounder mountains, forests, rivers and agriculture land. The good feeling makes it easy to get away from it all and find peace of mind. Here you can fully enjoy the fresh air and the splendid natural surroundings that are so difficult to describe in words alone. The scenery is something else and will surely take your breath away. Certainly it takes ours away, and we spend our lives in this ever-changing wonderland of weather and wind.
THE ISLAND OF ADVENTURE
Photosafari, heartily recommend any time of the year for unforgettable natural splendour. Local craftsmen, Senja has potters, wood carvers, seal products, a pewter smithy, the world´s largest troll, and much more. Mountain trekking, varied and verdant hiking country close by. Dog-sledding, Savour the blue mountains on a night-time sled-ride illuminated by the flickering Northern Lights. The sun disappears from 22 November to 22 January. Fantastic mountain plateaux.
HULDERHEIMEN
Hulderheimen is a cultural centre based on an old legend. It contains an art gallery, pewter smithy, handicrafts, jewellery (Tax Free), cosy rooms, refreshments and Huldra´s own sour-cream porridge which is famous for its taste and effect, should be a part of a memorable visit.
HAMN
Hamn i Senja is somewhere you will really remember and want to return to, and a place you can let yourself go. A wonderful, almost magical atmosphere exists here, so no wonder we have so many marvelous visitors! The good feeling makes it easy to get away from it all and find peace of mind. Here you can fully enjoy the fresh air and the splendid natural surroundings that are so difficult to describe in words alone.
The scenery is something else and will surely take your breath away. Certainly it takes ours away, and we spend our lives in this ever-changing wonderland of weather and wind. The Midnight Sun isn´t the only thing Hamn can offer. A fresh sea wind is an exciting experience, and it can surprise you just as much as fair weather! Today the historical fishing village has been restored and converted into a full-feature, high-standard retreat where your comfort and well-being are foremost in our minds.
Hamn acquired its name, which means harbour, early in the 17th century. The first settlers lived on fish, but only in 1881 did it become a trading post and fishing community. Merchant Adolf Lund built all the essentials for a vibrant trading centre: the fishing wharf with steamboat pier, general store and packing house, bakery, cod-liver oil factory, ice store, seasonal fishermen’s huts, barn and a courthouse with rooms to let.
Hamn got a post office early, in 1874. In 1886 the long-distance phone arrived and the telegraph station was erected where it stands today. In summer 1869, Hamn farmer Eilert Brox discovered nickel ore on his property, and Englishman Henry Hussey Vivian established Senjens Nikkelverk, working the mine until 1886. Some 650 souls lived in the hamlet in this period compared to less than 10 today. In 1882 the world’s first hydroelectric power plant was built at Hamn. The dam still stands for visitors to inspect. By about 1925-35, Hamn was one of North Norway’s largest landing stations for fish.
MIDNIGHT SUN
We have the Midnight Sun in our region from 20th May – 20th July. During this period, the sun stays above the horizon, and it is light 24 hours a day. The sky must be clear and there must be unobstructed visibility northwards in order to see the Midnight Sun. A summer night on the fjord or in the mountains is an experience not to be missed, you can go fishing in the fjord, which contains splendid variation of fish, or you can take a walk in the wilderness surrounding.
NORTHERN LIGHTS
Aurora Borealis is the Latin name for the Northern Lights – solar winds that meet the atmosphere in a zone around the magnetic North Pole. The Northern Lights are only visible when the sky is dark and clear, from August to April, and they are most intense from 10 pm to midnight. The region on the 700 northern latitude is a fantastic place for experiencing the beautiful and intense play of colours given off by the Northern Lights.
POLAR NIGHT
The dark time, or the long, dark Polar Night, lasts from 30th November – 12th January – there is only a twilight-dusk type of light (the blue light) for a few hours during the middle of the day. This does not mean that it becomes totally dark, however. The aurora borealis trails its multicoloured banner across the sky and the moon lights the scene just like the nightlight of Our Lord. The experience of the winter with the uniqueness of the light, the northern lights and snow is fantastic. Especially beautiful is the blue light southwards, just before it becomes dark.
FISHING
Hire a small boat or boat and guide and go fishing in one of the world’s most bounteous seas. Summer or winter. The winter season off Senja in March – April surpasses even Lofoten! Help TO freeze and pack your harvest. Deep sea fishing enthusiasts can take a fishing trip out on the ocean. You can fish for salmon, sea trout and Arctic trout. Be aware that there are a number of special rules in regards to fishing. Remember to purchase a fishing licence.