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The new service building at Ersfjordstranda has opened

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On Thursday 27 August, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA), in cooperation with Senja Municipality, opened a new Scenic Route project.

The materials in the service building were chosen for their ability to withstand the rough weather, and require little maintenance. Architect: Nordic Office of Architecture AS. Photo: Nasjonale turistveger, Statens vegvesen

Ersfjordstranda on Senja is a government-protected outdoor recreation area that has seen a significant increase in visitor numbers in recent years. A growing number of visitors and extensive use of the area has led to an ongoing project led by Senja Municipality in cooperation with NPRA Norwegian Scenic Routes.

Six people walk their dogs on the beautiful Ersfjord beach, surrounded by pointed high mountains.
Ersfjordstanda is beautifully located and is a widely used area along Norwegian Scenic Route Senja. Photo: Christine Simonsen, Senja kommune

New service building

A new service building has now opened at Ersfjordstranda, as the final phase of the construction project. The new building has been constructed in solid wood and clad with aluminium panels. The simple, long and narrow shape is inspired by traditional seaside buildings along the Norwegian coast and made to withstand the rough weather by the sea.

The building contains three toilets, one of which is a universally designed toilet with disability access. The 80 m2 service building will be functioning as a kiosk and information building, serving both camping guests and other visitors. Outside the toilet area, there is an outdoor shower where visitors can rinse off sand from the beach. The toilet facility is built to be open all year.

The service building is established in close contact with the pier and the beautiful sandy beach.
The silver-coloured exterior gives the building a distinctive expression that reflects the light and the colours of the changing coastal landscape. Architect: Nordic Office of Architecture AS. Photo: Nasjonale turistveger, Statens vegvesen

A comprehensive service facility

“Ersfjordstranda is one of the most visited stops along Norwegian Scenic Route Senja. With a new service building and other facilities, the area is given an upgrade that takes the location and the landscape into account, as well as the needs of the many people who visit the area”, says Silje Myhre Amundsen, Project Director for Norwegian Scenic Routes at the NPRA.

Well-known attraction

In 2014, the NPRA built another well-known attraction at Ersfjordstranda. The project included a car park and a toilet building with a triangular shape, also known as the “Golden Toilet”.

Toilet building with geometric shape, gold-colored cladding and with a red door.
With its geometric shape and golden cladding, the toilet building from 2014 has become an attraction at Ersfjordstranda. Architect: TUPELO Arkitektur AS. Photo: Espen Bergersen, Naturgalleriet

As part of the work to improve infrastructure and service facilities at Ersfjordstranda (Phase 1), the parking area here was expanded in 2025. Capacity was increased, and facilities for pedestrians and cyclists were improved, including footpaths, bicycle parking and outdoor furniture.

One of four Scenic Route projects

The facility at Ersfjordstranda is one of four Scenic Route projects the NPRA has established along Norwegian Scenic Route Senja. The other popular projects are the viewing ramp at Tungeneset, the viewpoint at Bergsbotn and the service building at Mefjordvær.

Targeted efforts

Through determined efforts for more than 30 years, the NPRA has developed Norwegian Scenic Routes into a unique tourist attraction. The 18 selected routes, from Jæren in the south to Varanger in the north, are inspiring more people to choose Norway as their holiday destination. This contributes to value creation, in line with the purpose of the Scenic Routes initiative.

Contracting client: The NPRA and Senja Municipality
Architect: Nordic Office of Architecture AS
Contractor: MT-Byggteknikk AS