Helping Hand 2026: the program!
Updated: Aug 12
This summer, around 25 volunteers will join the 2026 edition of A Helping Hand, in two locations: Ånderdalen National Park and the Fjordgård/Segla. We are pleased to share the preliminary program. As plans continue to develop, this article will be updated to reflect any changes.
A participant (Jeremie) is looking for birds of prey in Ånderdalen National Park.
Ånderdalen National Park: Saturday 25 July - Sunday 2 August
Main lead: Ingve Birkeland (manager of Ånderdalen National Park), Delphin Ruché (director of Rissa Citizen Science) and Øystein Kristiansen (ecologist at Sállir Natur).
Saturday 25 July (arrival day)
We will meet in Finnsnes at the hurtigbåt terminal at 16:15, then share a ride to Tranøybotn, the southern entrance of Ånderdalen National Park. After a 1-km hike through the open pine forest, we will set our camp near Tranøybotn, pitch our tents and enjoy our first meal together.
Note that the Hurtigbåt leaves from Tromsø at 15:00 and arrives in Finnsnes at 16:15
Sunday 26 July (day 1)
Acclimation day. Take the time to wake up this morning.
Around 11:00, we will hike six kilometers to Lake Åndervatnet, located in the heart of Ånderdalen National Park. It is a day to become familiar with our surroundings, learn about Ånderdalen and get to know one another. We will hike back to our camp before the end of the day.
Monday 27 July (day 2)
Citizen science day, dedicated to the freshwater mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera, Elvemusling in Norwegian). This mussel is a threatened species (Vulnerable on Norway's Red List) whose life cycle depends on healthy rivers. We will investigate a segment of the Ånder river together with freshwater biologist Kristin Johnsen and the national park's manager Ingve Birkeland. We will also look for dragonflies, birds, plants and whatever else we are able to identify. Back to our camp in the late afternoon.
Tuesday 28 July (day 3)
Today, we will hike to Andre Velten, approximately 4 km from our camp. There, we will restore a hiking trail in collaboration with the Mountain Service (Fjelltjenesten). In the evening, the head of the Sør-Senja Reindeer Grazing District will give a presentation on the Sámi people of Senja, covering both the historical perspective and current life on Senja. This will take place in the "gamme" (traditional turf hut) near our camp.
Wednesday 29 July (day 4)
In the morning, we will hike up, and close a hiking trail to give nature a rest. We will also will restore a peatland with ecologist Øystein Kristiansen. In the afternoon, we will hike back down to Tranøybotn. From there, we will share a ride to Gjeska on the west coast of Ånderdalen National Park. We will set our camp near Gjeskedalen for two nights.
Thursday 30 July (day 5)
We will split the group in two: one group will participate in citizen science and the restoration of old hay meadows in Gjeskedalen. The other group will join the Senja Hiking Association in Sør-Kaperdalen to reroute a section of the Senja trail. Once in Sør-Kaperdalen, we will be deep inside the national park, in a remote valley with rivers and lakes, surrounded by dramatic mountains that were shaped by glaciers during the latest Ice Age.
Friday 31 July (day 6)
Same as yesterday, and we swap groups.
Saturday 1 August (day 7)
After breakfast, we will share a ride to Fjordgård to meet the other team, and we will spend the day all together on the Hesten trail.
Towards the end of the afternoon, we will have a recap at the school, where we wil share our achievements, and some feedback.
The Ånderdalen National Park Board, Senja Municipality, and Rissa Citizen Science wish to give something back to the volunteers: we will then enjoy a nice dinner prepared by a local chef and will celebrate our accomplishements, together with the locals involved in the project. Fjordgård’s residents might surprise us all with a concert! Those who aren't staying up all night can sleep in the classrooms of the Montesori school.
Sunday 2 August (farewell day)
The 2026 edition of A Helping Hand is coming to an end. The volunteers will get a ride to Finnsnes or Botnhamn. Time to go home, or to continue exploring the island of Senja, maybe with a new friend?
Note that the boat leaves from Finnsnes at 11:28 and arrives in Tromsø at 14:15
Fjordgård/Segla: Thursday 30 July - Sunday 2 August
Segla, one of Senja's most iconic peaks.
Main lead: Sofia Gøbel and Christine Simonsen (Senja kommune).
Thursday 30 July (arrival day)
We’ll meet at the ferry in Finnsnes at 15:00 and travel together to Fjordgård. After a shared dinner, you'll have time to get settled and organize your sleeping space in the classrooms of the local Montessori school.
Note that Hurtigruten leaves from Tromsø at 13:45 and arrives in Finnsnes at 15:00
Friday 31 July (day 2)
After a morning briefing, we’ll head out to begin our trail restoration work.
These will be our three missions along the world-famous Hesten trail :
1/ Building boardwalks and stairs
In collaboration with local volunteers, we will build boardwalks over sensitive wetlands and staircase on the most exposed slopes.
2/ Closing and marking trails
To reduce the impact of visitors, we will close all side trails and mark the main one. Concentrating visitor traffic on a single trail will help limit wear and tear on nature and reduce disturbance to soil, flora and fauna.
3/ Putting up signs at strategic locations
Many visitors are not fully aware of the challenges and potential impacts of hiking on this exposed mountain. By placing signs at strategic turnaround points and improving trail markings, we aim to enhance visitor safety while helping protect nature.
The day will end on a different note, with a visit to the local art gallery, Studio Dampskipkaia, followed by the chance to unwind in the sauna and, for the brave, take a dip in the Arctic Sea.
Saturday 1 August (day 3)
Same as the day before.
Towards 18:00, the Ånderdalen National Park team will join us for the closing dinner and party. There will be live music by a local band!
Sunday 2 August (farewell day)
The 2026 edition of A Helping Hand is coming to an end. A bus will bring everyone back to Finnsnes or Botnhamn. Time to go home, or to continue exploring the island of Senja, maybe with a new friend?
Note that Hurtigruten leaves from Finnsnes at 11:28 and arrives in Tromsø at 14:15
A Helping Hand to Senja 2026 is collaboration beetween Rissa Citizen Science, Ånderdalen National Park Board , Senja Municipality and Visit Senja Region.
We are able to finance A Helping Hand to Senja 2026 thanks to the support of Troms Fylkeskommune and Statskog.
This preliminary program for A Helping Hand 2026 sounds incredibly impactful, especially the detailed plans for both environmental restoration, like protecting the vulnerable freshwater mussel, and the cultural insights, such as the Sámi presentation. It's inspiring to see so many different organizations and volunteers so thoughtfully chained together to contribute to the health of Ånderdalen National Park and the wider Senja region. What a wonderful way to foster both ecological preservation and community engagement!