Narvik
Municipality · Nordland
About Narvik
Stetind, Norway's 'national mountain', the 1940 battles told at the Narvik War Museum, and the Ofoten Line clinging to the slopes towards Sweden.
Narvik sits at the head of Ofotfjorden, where narrow arms such as Rombaken, Beisfjorden and Skjomen cut into mountains, more than half the land above 600 m and some peaks under glaciers. Since 2020 it also takes in Ballangen and the north of Tysfjord.
It is a natural night on the E6, or a base for a few days of hiking, climbing or skiing. Walk the old Rallarveien navvy road down to Rombaksbotn, or climb Reinneset in Skjomen for the view of Reintind and its glacier.
Good to know
- Getting there: The E6 crosses the Hålogaland Bridge, and the E10 climbs to Sweden over Bjørnfjell. About 1 hour from Evenes airport and 4 hours from Tromsø.
- Season: The E10 over Bjørnfjell can close briefly or run in convoy in winter storms; the Taraldsvik geyser erupts twice daily June–August.
- Sleeping: Narvik Hotel Wivel and Breidablikk Gjestehus in town, and Stetind Hotell.
- Food: Jernbanecaféen, inside the old railway station, serves breakfast, sandwiches and homemade cakes.
What to do and where to stay in Narvik
Places to stay are run locally, with no hotel or campsite chain behind them.
1Stetind rest area and viewpointViewpoint
Norway's national mountain since 2002, a 1,391 m anvil of granite rising from Stefjorden, seen from a rest area with toilets at its foot on Rv827.
Rv827 by Stefjorden, about 12 km from Kjøpsvik · 20 min stop; 5+ h for Halls fortopp · all-year (roadside); hiking June–September
2Narvik War MuseumHistory & culture
Tells the 62 days of naval and mountain battles around Narvik in April–June 1940 and the occupation after, with a 250 m² open store of objects added in 2023.
Kongens gate 39, Narvik centre · 1.5–2 h · all-year; own site (krigsmuseet.no) lists Mon–Sun 10–16 (no year), longer hours in high summer in past years
3Narvik Museum (Ofoten Line history)History & culture
In the railway's 1902 brick office building, it tells how Swedish iron ore reached Narvik's ice-free port and has a mock 'train ride' in a real motor car.
Administrasjonsveien, below Fagernesfjellet, Narvik centre · 1 h · Summer daily 10–17; from 24 Aug Mon/Wed/Fri 10–17
4Rallarveien (Navvy Road) to RombaksbotnHike
The Ofoten Line's old construction road runs from Abisko in Sweden to the fjord at Rombaksbotn; most walk the last stretch down from Katterat or Bjørnfjell station.
Bjørnfjell or Katterat station to Rombaksbotn · Katterat–Rombaksbotn 6 km; Bjørnfjell–Rombaksbotn 13–16 km, about 6 h · June–September
5RombakstøttaHike
Narvik's 1,230 m 'Matterhorn' is climbed from Tøttadalen on the edge of town, with a scramble through a gully near the top.
Trailhead at Minikraftverket, Tøttadalen, Narvik · 6–8 h (about 16 km return) · summer and autumn
6Brennholtet moose carvingHistory & culture
A life-size moose about 2 m long, carved deeply into rock some 5,000 years ago, sits in a small nature park above Narvik's marina, 12 minutes' walk from the centre.
End of Einerveien, Brennholtet, Narvik · 30–60 min incl. walk · spring–autumn
7Beisfjord Memorial Grove (prison camp memorials)History & culture
In 1942 the SS held 900 Yugoslav prisoners here and 748 died within four months; a memorial grove with info boards recalls them and the Soviet POWs held later.
Minnelunden, by the Gropveien–Stornesveien junction, Beisfjord, about 15 km from Narvik · 20–30 min · all-year (outdoor)
8Jernbanecaféen (Railway Café)Food & drink
A café inside Narvik's old railway station, styled on early-1900s stations, serving breakfast, sandwiches, homemade cakes and barista coffee.
Stasjonsveien 1, Narvik · 30–60 min · All-year; check opening hours before you go
9Langstranda beachSwim
A long public beach just north of the Rombak bridge with pine forest behind it and open views over Ofotfjorden, also used for watching the northern lights.
Rombaksveien, 700 m north of Rombaksbrua, about 15 min from Narvik · 30 min–2 h · swimming July–August; viewpoint all-year
10BeisfjordgubbenLocal oddity
A rock formation shaped like a troll on the south shore of inner Beisfjorden, reached by a 1 km path from a small car park, about 15–25 minutes each way.
South side of inner Beisfjorden, past the cement factory · 45–60 min return · spring–autumn (snow-free)
Book something local
train trip
Arctic Train on the Ofoten Line ↗
A 3-hour return trip from Narvik up the Ofoten Line to Bjørnfjell at the Swedish border, passing Rombaksbotn, roadless Katterat station and Norddalsbrua, with photo stops.
Arctic Train · Narvik station, Stasjonsveien 1