HinnøyaHinnøya at a Glance
About Hinnøya
Hinnøya is a large Norwegian island in Nordland county and is the country’s largest island in area within mainland Norway, featuring a mix of coastal fjords, fishing settlements and mountainous interior landscapes.
The island’s coastline includes sheltered harbours and small towns that support fishing and regional services, while inland areas rise into steep, often rugged mountains that are popular with hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Møysalen and other peaks form prominent local high points and alpine scenery.
Settlement is concentrated in coastal towns such as Harstad, which functions as the island’s principal urban and transport centre, while communications to neighbouring islands and the mainland are provided by a network of bridges and ferry links.
Hinnøya lies in northern Norway’s coastal archipelago region, within Nordland county, and forms part of the Vesterålen and surrounding island groups.
- Size and terrain: Hinnøya is Norway’s largest island in area within the country’s main territory (excluding Svalbard), covering roughly 2,204 square kilometres and featuring both coastal lowlands and steep mountainous interior terrain.
- Access and regional hub: Ferries and bridges link the island to neighbouring islands and the mainland; Harstad at the island’s southern tip is the region’s main urban centre and transport hub.
What to See#
- Harstad and coastal towns: The town of Harstad and several smaller settlements sit on the island’s southern and western coasts and serve as local service and transport hubs for residents and visitors.
- Møysalen and upland areas: Møysalen National Park and its associated mountain terrain form part of the island’s upland interior and contain the island’s highest peaks and alpine landscapes.
Best Time to Visit Hinnøya
For Hinnøya, visit in summer for mild weather, long daylight and best access to outdoor activities; autumn and spring are good shoulder seasons for quieter travel and aurora chances.
Weather & Climate near Hinnøya
Hinnøya's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -6°C to 14°C. Abundant rainfall (1421 mm/year), wettest in October.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -6° - -1° | -9° | 142 mm | overcast | 92% | 5.1 m/s | 0.0 low | 1.9h |
| February | Poor | -6° - -1° | -10° | 123 mm | overcast | 91% | 5.0 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.3h |
| March | Poor | -5° - 0° | -8° | 107 mm | overcast | 88% | 4.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 11.4h |
| April | Poor | -2° - 3° | -4° | 90 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.2 m/s | 0.4 low | 15.5h |
| May | Poor | 2° - 7° | 2° | 77 mm | overcast | 82% | 4.2 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 20.5h |
| June | Acceptable | 6° - 12° | 7° | 68 mm | overcast | 81% | 4.4 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 24.0h |
| July | Acceptable | 9° - 15° | 12° | 91 mm | overcast | 82% | 3.9 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 22.5h |
| August | Acceptable | 9° - 14° | 11° | 96 mm | overcast | 85% | 3.7 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 17.2h |
| September | Poor | 5° - 10° | 5° | 141 mm | overcast | 88% | 4.0 m/s | 0.2 low | 13.0h |
| October | Poor | 1° - 5° | -1° | 192 mm | overcast | 90% | 4.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.9h |
| November | Poor | -3° - 2° | -5° | 142 mm | overcast | 91% | 4.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 3.9h |
| December | - | -5° - -1° | -8° | 152 mm | - | 91% | 4.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 0.0h |
How to Get to Hinnøya
Hinnøya is Norway’s largest coastal island and is connected to the mainland by road (notably via the Tjeldsund Bridge). The island contains the town of Harstad; Harstad/Narvik Airport (Evenes) on the mainland is the nearest major airport, from which you drive to Hinnøya (drive times vary by destination on the island, typically 20-90 minutes). Regional roads and the E10/E6 corridors provide road access; several ferry crossings link Hinnøya’s outlying communities as needed.
Tips for Visiting Hinnøya
- Plan travel across Hinnøya using the main road links (including the Tjeldsund Bridge) as your entry/exit points and map fuel and services in advance-settlements and services are spread out across the island.
- Visit in summer for the longest daylight and best access to hiking trails and scenic drives; if you're after northern lights, target late autumn through early spring when nights are long, but check road and weather conditions.
- Explore smaller coastal fjords and villages rather than sticking to the main towns-many visitors drive straight through on E10 or other trunk roads and miss quieter viewpoints, local piers and short walking routes along the island's varied coastline.