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Ersfjordstranda closed at times this summer

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Senja Municipality is finally underway with improving facilities for the local population and visitors at Ersfjordstranda in Senja.

The toilet building at Ersfjorstranda has received a lot of attention and, with its triangular shape and gold-plated exterior, it is an attraction in itself. Architect: Tupelo Arkitektur. Photo: Cycle Norway

The construction work is in full swing, at the same time as many visitors want to use the beach. While the work is ongoing, there will be periods when access to Ersfjordstranda will be limited or denied, according to a press release from Senja municipality.

The toilet will be closed

“This means that both the car park and the “golden toilet” – the so-called Gulldassen – will be closed as long as Ersfjordstranda is a construction site”, says Wenche Pedersen, Operational Manager of Planning and Development  in Senja Municipality.

“From July to August in weeks 29-33, the car park will be open, while the toilet will be closed for the entire construction period”, she says. During the open period, festival toilets will therefore be available in the parking area. Dates may be subject to change and will be communicated accordingly.

Three motorhomes parked in front of a toilet building.
Ersfjordstranda is a popular rest area along Norwegian Scenic Route Senja and has many visitors, especially in the summer. Photo: Trine Kanter Zerwekh, Statens vegvesen

Completion by summer 2026

The Norwegian Public Roads Administration’s Scenic Routes section, the Nordic Office of Architecture, and landscape architects Østengen & Bergo are partners in the project to improve the facilities at Ersfjordstranda.

“It is important to remember that when we are finished, Ersfjordstranda will be an even better place to visit. We look forward to presenting the new facilities before the summer season of 2026.”, says Wenche Pedersen.

“The work must necessarily be done in the snowless season this year and next year, which coincides with the period when there are most visitors at Ersfjordstranda. This is unfortunate, but it’s still a fact”, says Pedersen.

“We have started with phase 1, which will ensure water supply, sewage, and parking, and is scheduled to be completed this autumn”, she says. Phase 2 is the construction of the service building. It is scheduled to start this autumn and will continue until the summer of 2026.

Two children walking on a beach.
Ersfjordstranda at Norwegian Scenic Route Senja. Photo: Trine Kanter Zerwekh, Statens vegvesen

More parking spaces and a new service building

The parking area will be expanded with 22 new spaces, and both parking areas  will be asphalted. The parking spaces will be marked and help ensure that the area is utilised to its full potential – with a total of 60 parking spaces, plus 3 parking spaces for mobility-impaired drivers. The service building will contain 2 toilets plus 1 disabled toilet, as well as a kiosk.

“It has not yet decided how the kiosk will be operated. We are considering the various options for operation of the kiosk as well as the other facilities in the recreation area”, says Wenche Pedersen.