Founded in the late 18th century as a trading post, Ørnes is a picturesque village and administrative hub located north of the Arctic Circle. It is a port of call on the Hurtigruten ferry route that connects Norway’s north and south while lying on the doorstep of one of the country’s largest glaciers.
In the heart of the village is the Ørnes Handelssted, a cultural meeting place that comprises some of the oldest buildings in Ørnes. In the former bakery, you can learn about the 12 commandos who executed Operation Muskedunder during World War II, stopping the Nazis from producing aluminium at Glomfjord.
Ørnes serves as a gateway to the island of Meløya, which is home to a charming, white wooden church designed by Håkon Mosling and Jacob Wilhelm Nordan. Join a guided kayaking trip to explore the surrounding archipelago or don a pair of crampons to hike across the second-largest glacier on Norway’s mainland, Svartisen.
Getting there
Ørnes is just under two hours’ drive from Bodø Airport, which has flights to destinations across Norway. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting to Ørnes and the village is small enough to explore on foot.