Photo: Sandmark Bygdeutviklingsselskap
Experience a Marka Sámi cultural landscape under the mountain.
Want to visit a place where nature and culture go hand in hand? At the foot of the mountain Vilgesvárri lies a historic settlement that tells the story of Marka Sámi life in the borderland between the coast and the interior. Here you can walk in the footsteps of people who lived close to nature – and discover a rich cultural heritage that still lives on.
Practical info
Practical info
Opening hours
Vilgesvárre is a great hiking destination throughout the bare ground season
Parking
Parking space at the start of the hike
Toilet
Outdoor toilet
How to get here
From Tjeldsundbrua follow County Road 825 to Tovik. Turn off the county road in Tovik, and follow the signs to Sandemarka/Blåfjellvann. Turn left after passing (south of) Blåfjellvann (approx. 7.4 km). Follow the road, over the bridge, to the parking lot marked Vilgesvarre (approx. 1.3 km).
About the hike up to Vilgesvárre
Relatively easy hike (3.5 km) on a well-marked trail. Children who are a little used to walking can handle it just fine.
Altitude: The trip starts at 150 m, Vilgesvárre is located at about 200 m
Time required: round trip about 2 hours
Contact
Sandmark Bygdeutviklingsselskap, by Tore Johnsen
Tel: 90592574
Email: tore-hjo@online.no
Accessibility
Accessibility
Not suitable for wheelchairs and prams
A landscape with history in every stone
Vilgesvárri is located in Tjeldsund municipality, surrounded by mountains, forests and water. Sami families settled here in the 19th century, and built a life based on agriculture, fishing and reindeer herding. The settlement is strategically located – with access to important resources and old roads. Today you can see traces of gambrels, dwellings and barns, and get an insight into how people lived in interaction with nature.
Tradition and adaptation
Vilgesvárri is a cultural environment that shows how the Marka Sámi combined traditional Sámi building customs with impulses from Norwegian and Kven culture. Here you will find buildings and structures that tell the story of adaptation, multiple uses and creativity. Each building has its own story – and together they give a picture of a way of life where the rhythms of nature governed everyday life.
A place for curious visitors
Vilgesvárri is perfect for those who want to learn more about Sami history and culture – whether you are a tourist, school class or local resident. Here you can experience an authentic cultural landscape, and gain insight into a way of life that has been little visible in history books. Maybe you will be inspired to see your own local environment with new eyes?
Cultural heritage you can feel
Visiting Vilgesvárri is like stepping into a living story. You feel the wind from the mountains, see the landscape as it has been used for generations, and get a sense of how life could have been here. The cultural environment provides space for wonder, reflection and pride – and reminds us of the value of preserving history, both the great and the local.
