Helping Hand 2026: the program!

Delphin Ruché
20 hours ago
4 min read

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 volunteer of A Helpgin Hand to Senja, by Rissa Citizen Science

A participant (Jeremie) is looking for birds of prey in Ånderdalen National Park.

Ånderdalen National Park: 25 July - 2 August

Main lead: Ingve Birkeland (manager of Ånderdalen National Park), Delphin Ruché (director of Rissa Citizen Science) and Øystein Kristiansen (ecologist at Sallír Natur).

Saturday 25 July (arrival day)

We will meet in Finnsnes at the hurtigbåt terminal (time to be confirmed), 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, pitch our tents and enjoy our first meal together.

Sunday 26 July (day 1)

Acclimation day. After a hearty breakfast, 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 also take the time to go through the week program. We will then set our camp near Åndervatnet. For those who still have some energy left, an evening hike will be organized to a traditional Sami gamme (hut) and a viewpoint above the lake.

Monday 27 July (day 2)

Time to roll up our sleeves! Teaming up with the Mountain Service, we will repair a hiking trail while learning and applying different nature restoration techniques.

Tuesday 28 July (day 3)

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 a biologist. We will also look for dragonflies, bumblebees, solitary bees, birds, plants and whatever else we are able to identify.

Wednesday 29 July (day 4)

In the morning, we will close a hiking trail to give nature a rest, and we will restore a peatland. 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)

Today, citizen science and restoration of an old meadow in Gjeskedalen. This type of meadow (slåttemark in Norwegian) is a high-value nature type that holds a unique variety of species of plants and insects. An entomologist may join for the day and show us how to identify insects. In the evening, we will learn about Sami culture on Senja from a local historian.

Friday 31 July (day 6)

Lace up your hiking shoes for a long day out! We will set to hike the Senja trail to Sør-Kaperdalen and mark a segment that is currently hard to follow. 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.

Saturday 1 August (day 7)

To thank you all for joining A Helping Hand, we are putting together a fun day out! We are still exploring different possibilities and will update this article with the final plan. Later in the afternoon, we will share a ride to Fjordgård to meet the other team, and we will 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. 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?

Fjordgård/Segla: 30 July - 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 Lysnes, Botnhamn, or Finnsnes (details to be confirmed) 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.

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?