Magical Ekkerøy
The air is crisp and the sky high over Ekkerøy. Our island is a popular spot for walks and hikes because it offers breathtaking nature, wildlife, and history. Two hundred years ago, Ekkerøy was an island, but the power of soil erosion has connected it to the mainland. Some of the same natural forces have created the sound of "The Rolling Stones" in Lykksteinsfjæra by the bird cliffs.
We also offer a guided tour of the island, where your host Ingjerd will take a deeper dive into the history, mystique, and nature of Ekkerøy. Read more here.
In spring and summer, the bird cliffs are a white inferno. Breeding kittiwakes have small nests on the sheer cliffs, while other bird species also thrive here. Occasionally, the white-tailed eagle might hunt for food, and you could witness a life-or-death struggle.
Previously, the white-tailed eagle faced competition from locals engaged in egg collecting. They used special poles to retrieve eggs, climbed ladders, or hung from ropes from the top of the cliffs to find fresh kittiwake eggs, which they used in waffle batter or sold to cafes in Vadsø. Some collected up to 300 eggs in a single day.
Ekkerøy and Varanger are filled with traces of World War II. Here, you can learn about a war that closely impacted nature and the local people. During the war, several hundred German soldiers occupied private homes, schools, community centers, and chapels in Ekkerøy starting in 1940. When the Russians arrived in 1944, the Germans did not have time to burn down Ekkerøy as they did in much of Finnmark and Northern Troms. As a result, most of the village's houses are from before the war.
The distinctive peat landscape here bears witness to a life of hard work and long days. Whole families worked to cut and collect peat, which was then transported by sled in the winter to drafty small houses with large families.
Since 1563, Ekkerøy has been inhabited. Before colorful houses were built on Ekkerøy, people lived in earth huts. In the early days, some were accused of witchcraft. In the 1600s, 14 of them were burned at the stake in Vardø because powerful men believed they had cursed ships and poisoned people.
Two hundred years ago, Ekkerøy was an island, but the power of erosion has connected it to the mainland. Some of the same natural forces have created the sound of "The Rolling Stones" in Lykksteinsfjæra by the bird cliffs. Here, you can find your lucky stone—a stone that «speaks to you». These stones have a line running through them, or just feels particularly good to hold. If you need a boost of energy, some say it can be beneficial. But it only works if you believe in it!
For more tips on trips in Varanger, visit:
For guided tours of the island, please contact post@ekkerisland.com.
Have a great trip!