E69

Understand

E69 is a picturesque highway in the Finnmark region of Norway, with an immense amount of eye-catching scenery and a wealth of cultural significance – it is easily one of the most scenic highways on the European route (E-route) network. The highway is 129 km long and includes five tunnels with a total length of 15.5 km (about 12% of the journey). The longest tunnel is the North Cape Tunnel (Nordkapptunnelen) with a length of 6.9 km. It starts in Olderfjord and meanders towards the north – along the way, you will see stunning fjords, mountains, waterfalls and diverse wildlife. This is in addition to somewhat noteworthy towns such as Hammerfest, which offer valuable glimpses into Sami culture. In winter, access to the northernmost part of the road between Skarsvåg and the Nordkapp is only via one daily convoy led by a snow plough. The convoy is cancelled in poor weather.

Prepare

Due to the unpredictable weather, it is advisable to check the conditions prior to embarking on your journey. Keep in mind that fuel stations and accommodations may be scarce in remote areas. While all tunnels can be cycled through, try to increase visibility by wearing reflective clothing, such as a reflective vest, especially during bad weather and rapidly changing visibility outside the tunnel. The weather is cold and ranges in the single-digits during summer – see cold weather and if you're driving during winter, winter driving, for handling the weather. Also see driving in Norway for other tips for driving in this region of Norway.

Get in

The start of the 127-kilometre drive is at the small village of Olderfjord and is a turnoff from E6. To get to Olderfjord itself, you will need to drive 108 km (67 mi) north-east of nearby Alta or 137 km (85 mi) north of Karasjok (a town just 19 km west of the Finnish border). There is an airport at Honningsvåg near the northern end of E69, but you'll need a car (or bike) to drive this route.

Drive

Olderfjord–Repvåg The drive starts at 1 Olderfjord (Northern Sami: Leaibevuotna; Kven: Leipovuono) – it's the last village with decent accommodation and fuel before the good chunk of drive further, so fill your tank here. The one fuel station, 1 Best Olderfjord, is not particularly large; in extremely rare cases, it may be limited in supplies. Prepare for the worst before you arrive here. The first 5 km of the road winds its way up the hills with forests so green (during summer) that you'd be forgiven for thinking you haven't yet passed the Arctic circle. You'll then arrive at 2 Smørfjord, home to a Sami settlement with many cultural artefacts dating to the Neolithic Age. Head 3.5 km (2.2 mi) north of the T-intersection with Rte 889 is 1 Sjøsamisk Tun, a reconstructed Sami settlement and a great place to learn more about Sami culture.

From Sjøsamisk Tun, the road is mostly flat and follows the coast for about 11 km until 3 Nordmannset, which is nothing more than a tiny hamlet. This section of the road gives an impressive mix of views – on your left (and to the north-west), you'll see lush hills, and on your right, you will have views of the fjord – put both of these together and the output is a picturesque landscape. Before March 2023, the route would have continued on an older narrower tunnel, but the completion of the newer 3.56-km 2 Skarvbergtunnelen (sometimes Skarvberg Tunnel; Northern Sami: Sieidditunealla; Kven: Skaarpärkintunneli) has meant that you do not need to drive in a worn-down 1968 tunnel that added 1.5 km to the journey (the old tunnel still exists abandoned, if you were wondering). The next 21 km (13 mi) is a lovely charming fjordside drive – 5 km into the drive and you'll come across the 496-metre 3 Sortviktunnelen – travel 3 km further and you'll arrive at Sortvik Rastplats, a rest stop and an information bay.

Repvåg

You will then see the turnoff to Fylkesvei 8054 (Fv8054; county road 8054) to 4 Repvåg (Northern Sami: Reiffváhki), a fishing village of 14 but with amenities, which include:

1 North Cape King Crab A/S, Repvåg 47, ☏ +47 45 87 53 30, [email protected]. A wholesaler of red crab based in Repvåg – it's also the only

Stay safe

Many of the concerns listed on E6 through Sweden and Norway § Stay safe also apply to E69. In particular, this part of Norway has some of the coldest climates in the Northern Hemisphere. Reindeer can also cross the road at times.

Go next

Head back on the road on E6 through northern Norway. E75 and E8 are the next closest E-routes. If you have had enough of driving, the Hurtigruten ferry service calls at Honningsvåg daily in both directions, and you can take your car on board too.