Kjerstad: Archaeology, views and hiking destinations

Kjerstad combines archaeological traces with a striking landscape: at a site on the Kjærstad farm, the view opens across the Tjeldsund to Våge on Tjeldøya. Kjerstad is also one of the starting points for the hike to Trollfjellet. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, your interests can guide your choice of destination: would you like to focus mainly on the archaeological sites and the landscape, or make hiking the main focus?

Archaeological traces in two landscapes

Two archaeological finds are registered on the Kjærstad farm. Finds made at Kjærstad in 1963 include 26 different iron objects, an iron hoe, a fitting made of whale bone and an ointment jar. The different materials give the finds a distinctive profile: alongside the iron objects are an item made of whale bone and an ointment jar.

The site on Bnr. 2 is on a west-facing, rocky headland. The landscape there is characterised by heathland and scattered deciduous trees and pines. From the site, the view stretches north to south across the Tjeldsund, with Våge on Tjeldøya to the south.

The described surroundings of the site on Bnr. 3 are different: it is on a farmstead with a garden and a farm mound, and from there the view looks south across the Kjærfjord. The two sites can therefore also be distinguished by their landscapes: one description highlights the rocky headland and expansive view across the sound, the other the farm mound and the Kjærfjord.

Hiking destinations and views

Kjerstad is a starting point for the hike to Trollfjellet. Trail conditions can vary by season; check them before setting out. Nearby is Kjerstadtinden on Tjeldøya, which reaches 854 m in height. A hiking report describes the view from there across the Tjeldsund and the mountains in Lødingen.

A hiking report dated 31 May 2019 also describes a hike to Kjerstadtinden that began just before Kjerstad; a marked trail is said to run there. As trail markings can change, it is advisable to check current trail conditions before setting out. This distinguishes the two hiking references: Kjerstad is named as the starting point for Trollfjellet, while the described hike to Kjerstadtinden began just before Kjerstad.

Tjeldsund as the wider setting

Beyond Kjerstad, Tjeldsund offers a broader setting for exploring nature and culture. Tennvatn Nature Reserve has international Ramsar status. In Stokke on Tjeldøya, the Tjeldsund Museum is housed in an old school building with a classroom and a teacher’s and sexton’s residence dating from 1869. These details relate to Tjeldsund, not Kjerstad itself.

Steinsland Klyngetun is also part of the wider destination of Tjeldsund. It includes a farmhouse dating from 1840 and an exhibition about Regine Normann. Two thousand objects are displayed there in an authentic atmosphere from around 1920. Other historical features in Tjeldsund include the remains of a boathouse near Sand: at around 40 metres long, they are among the largest discovered in Northern Norway. The Steinsvik sword was found in a grave from the early 9th century and is considered unique in a Nordic context.

Regional orientation for planning

For orientation within the wider destination of Tjeldsund: County Road 7548 runs from Ramsundbrua to Tjeldøya and, apart from a section at the southern end, goes around the island. The E10 crosses Tjeldsundbrua towards Vesterålen and Lofoten. From the municipal centre of Tjeldsund, the E10 heads south to Harstad/Narvik Airport Evenes and continues to Narvik.

This can help you decide whether to focus your search more on Kjerstad’s archaeological sites and hiking options or on Tjeldsund’s cultural and landscape attractions.

Discover more destinations: Fjelldal, Tjeldsund, Myklebostad.

Go to the wider travel overview: Tjeldsund.