01.03 Vester Pollen (North Cape Tunnel) - Vardancohka

Description from north to south:

Just south of the Nordkaptunnel, the E 1 trail begins with a small signpost. Start by heading into the valley on the north side of the Fisketindelva, and at the first side valley on the left, cross the stream. Climb steeply up the southwest slope; the trail is faint here. At the top, follow the path parallel to the Fisketindelva and then gradually descend back toward it. The current trail marker indicates a crossing over the stream not at the vehicle track as shown in OSM, but northeast of it, where it might be possible to cross even with shoes on if the water level is low. The trail then leads into the wetland, which can be bypassed on the north side, and to an ATV track leading into a valley that runs westward.

Bypass Lake Höhe 205 to the southeast, then follow the tracks down a ridge back to the sea. There, cross another river and continue southwest on a passable trail to the next cove, where a stream flows into the sea near a hut. From there on, the trail markers are nowhere to be found—or at least not along the route shown in the track posted here. In any case, you must head west to the next bay and try to stay dry. Then follow the shore south and take a better-marked route into the valley. However, the stream crossings are marked only on trees and are not easy to find. From the crossing of the Austerbotnelva, the trail runs more directly southwest and higher up than in the track posted here. Then the route follows the west side of the reindeer fence to the tiny Vardancohka hut.

Overall, it's a tough hike with lots of river crossings and marshes—be sure to allow plenty of time!

From south to north:

Soon after the Vardancokha, the path is again oriented towards a reindeer fence. It now heads towards the sea and at a left bend of the fence it passes over it and continues in a wide bend towards the (right) bay. A small stream in a comparatively deep gorge has to be crossed. Shortly afterwards you have already reached sea level and it goes along the sea for a few kilometres. The path leaves the bay and after another easy river crossing it follows an ATV track or the remains of a former power line. It goes again up to the sea and after another river crossing steeply uphill on another ATV track. In the upper part of the valley, which already leads to the tunnel, the most challenging stream of the day is waiting to be crossed back to the original side. But it does not seem to make sense to stay on the western side. As a compensation, a dream view to the island Mageroya and Honningsvag is waiting. Also the tunnel entrance is already very close and the descent is accordingly steep and in bad weather very slippery. Then, as already mentioned, the brook waits at the bottom again. After that it is only a few minutes to the tunnel.

Last text update: 02.08.2022

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