All summer, the thought of taking another motorhome adventure to Northern Norway had been simmering in our minds. During the peak season, it's impossible for us, but as autumn arrived, our calendars finally aligned: the motorhome departures and returns matched up so well that we were able to arrange a suitably long trip even on short notice. A few vehicles happened to be free in the schedule, and so one sleepless night, I started browsing maps and searching for interesting destinations.
On our last trip, we visited the Lofoten Islands, and the mountainous landscape of the north made a great impression on us. However, we usually don't return to the same place, as we prefer to discover new adventures. So this time, our gaze turned to Senja, located near the Lofoten Islands, and the Lyngen Alps, situated a few hours' drive away.
Three of the motorhomes were booked for a longer period, but one was available for about 1.5 weeks. I decided to head north on the 'heels' of our customers.
When we told our friends Salla and Valtteri about our plan, they got excited immediately and wanted to join us. The idea seemed fun: it would also be a chance to test how a Sunlight Cliff equipped with a roof tent would work for four adults on a longer trip. We knew the interior space would be tight, but we believed we could manage – often, after a couple of days of adjusting, cohabitation starts to find a good rhythm.
North Through Finland – Surprises in Kemi
The original plan was to leave on September 13th, immediately after some client meetings. However, the meetings ran late, so we decided to start the next morning instead. The motorhome was already packed and the refrigerator filled the previous evening, so setting off was quick – although sleep was short due to excitement. The drive to the north takes about two full days, so having extra drivers was worth its weight in gold.
Our first stop was in Kuopio to say hello to friends. After a three-hour break, we headed towards Kemi, arriving in the darkness of the evening accompanied by heavy rain. We had found a wild camping spot for the night using the Park4Night app, but a surprise awaited us: new signs prohibited overnight stays. The most recent review in the app was only a week old and praised the place, so the situation was unexpected. As we were searching for a new spot in the dark, a man wearing only a towel appeared to remind us that overnight camping was not allowed in the area – even though our vehicle was still running with its lights on. It was a truly peculiar encounter. Eventually, we found a peaceful parking spot by the sea in the middle of a forest, where we had a late dinner and went to sleep.
Haaparanta's Candy World and the Journey to Abisko, Sweden
The next morning, we continued our journey early. Our first leg was Haaparanta's famous Candy World – a gigantic candy store. At first, I hadn't planned on getting anything, but when I spotted the watermelon gum from my childhood, I had to fill a small bag. The selection was so vast that the bag ended up weighing over half a kilogram! The candy wasn't particularly cheap, but the store's size and selection were impressive.
Our journey continued to Abisko in Sweden. For the first time on the trip, we encountered reindeer on the road, and we also filled up the fuel tank for the first time. It was impressive to note that the Sunlight Cliff traveled over 1000 kilometers on a single tank – carrying four adults with their gear, a full water tank, and gas canisters. Around midday, fatigue started to set in, as the first night with four of us in the motorhome hadn't offered proper sleep. We decided to stop at a rest area for lunch and a nap. The place was idyllic: in the middle of a forest next to a roaring rapids. A short but deep sleep was incredibly refreshing.
Camp Ripan and Abisko Canyon
As evening fell, we used the Park4Night app to find a wild camping spot in Abisko, but overnight stays were prohibited in the national park. Salla and Valtteri, who were sleeping in the roof tent, also hoped for the quietest possible place – the noise from the highway the previous night had been disruptive. So, we decided to head to a campground. We found a suitable option in Kiruna: Camp Ripan. We arrived at the dark campground in heavy rain, and a high-quality restaurant right next to the reception was tempting. Due to our fatigue, we decided to eat there – the sautéed reindeer was delicious, though expensive. After dinner, we went to the sauna and showers, which could have used a renovation but served their purpose. Having four people wash up in the motorhome's own shower would have been quite an operation, so this made things much easier. With full bellies and clean, we crawled into bed for a quiet and misty night.
In the morning, we woke up refreshed – everyone had slept better. After breakfast, we continued towards the Abisko nature reserve. Preparing for the hike was a bit challenging due to the rain, but soon we started walking along the large rapids that flow through Abisko. The rock walls lining it were enormous, and the scenery made a strong impression. Originally, we planned to walk to the lake where the rapids originate, but after an hour of walking, the map revealed that we had only covered a fifth of the distance. We decided to turn back and continue on another trail along the rapids towards the shore.
An amazing view awaited us there: a deep canyon, several tens of meters long, that had been carved out by water over time. The sight was breathtaking and was the highlight of our hike. After that, we had a quick meal in the motorhome and continued our journey towards Senja, Norway – the adventure continues with new landscapes in the next post.
