The Nobel Prize Laureate in Literature, Knut Hamsun, lived here, and many of his books are strongly influenced by his surroundings. Hamsun's childhood home, rural and other museums, galleries and old trading centres tell about life in the Realm of Hamsun. With beautiful churches, lighthouses, music and fishing festivals and many market days, the Realm of Hamsun offers a variety of exciting adventures.
Stetind – Norway’s national mountain
Stetind in Tysfjord is a majestic natural landmark with its extremely characteristic shape in the beautiful North Norwegian fjord landscape. With a height of 1392 m directly from the fjord, Norway’s national mountain, also called "God’s anvil", juts out like an obelisk in the mountain wilds. You may go on family-friendly walks to spots in the "lower" parts of the mountain – or complete the lofty ascent accompanied by a local guide. Stetind also offers "stern pleasures" for experienced mountain climbers.
Hamarøyskaftet
Hamarøyskaftet is one of the most distinctive mountain peaks in Nordland County. This is not one of Nordland’s highest mountains, but what a rise! Don’t be put off by your first impression of the mountain; it looks pretty unapproachable. The hike to the summit is an enjoyable and relatively basic climb!
Rago National Park - Wild and inaccessible mountain area
Rago National Park is characterised by wild, majestic mountain landscape with deep crevices and large boulders. Rare mountain plants may be found in an otherwise inferior flora. The wolverine regularly shelters here, while the lynx is a dispersal-resident animal. Rago borders the Swedish national parks Padjelanta, Sarek and Stora Sjöfallet, which collectively covers 5700 km², making it the largest protected area in Europe.
Engeløya – a guided tour in the Realm of Iron Age chieftains
"The Vikings" guide guests through some of the richest archaeological areas in Northern Norway. Visit Bygdetunet, Prestegårdshagen, Steigen Medieval Church and Batterie Dietl. Outdoor dining at Vollmoen if desired. We can arrange white-tailed sea eagle safaris by express boat in Norway’s most abundant white-tailed sea eagle areas.
Tranøy
Tranøy is the place where the young Hamsun experienced the real Sirilund. The community flourished as a pilots port for over a hundred years. Deeply and proudly rooted in cultural history, Tranøy now welcomes you to happy holidays and artistic delights. Blessedly off the beaten track outermost in Hamarøy. Here, you will find galleries, a sculpture park, a chapel, food and drink, a marina, a shop and overnight accommodations.
The Arran Lule Sami Centre
A national centre featuring a museum and exhibitions about Sami culture, language, history and ethnicity, a language section with distance education, Sami handicraft, a library, Sami kindergarten and conference facilities.
Knut Hamsun's childhood home
Knut Hamsun was born in Lom in Gudbrandsdalen in 1859 and came to Hamarøy when he was nearly three years old. The son of a poor farmer battled on and ended up as one of the world's leading poets. His life, marked by success as well as adversity and tragedy, was equally as dramatic and exceptional as some of his novels. Hamsun's close relationship with the area's nature is clearly visible in his literary works. Visit Knut Hamsun's childhood home and see where he and his family lived. There is a display of artefacts connected with Hamsun and his family.
Batterie Dietl - a coastal fort from World War II
Experience one of Europe's largest coastal fortifications from World War II. Three of the world's largest guns were here firing shells with a diametre of 40.6 centimetres. The fortifications guarded the entrance to the Vestfjord and the important route to Narvik, from where iron ore from Sweden was shipped to the German arms industry.
One of the bunkers has been converted to an interesting museum with restored ammunition- and machine-rooms. The bunker is an eerie but impressive construction with walls up to three and a half metres thick. The exhibition describes the daily lives of the soldiers and prisoners of war, the forced labour, and, last but not least, the lot of the local people of Engeløya during the war years.
The crofter's cottage at Kjelvik
Kjelvik is situated at the top of a hill below a woody ridge. Time has more or less stood still here since the last occupant passed away in 1967. Here you can experience an authentic croft through the original tools, furnishings and clothes found in the old buildings. Get hold of the rake handle. Go in the smithy and pick up the blacksmith's tongs. Go in to the small rooms and try to imagine how they managed without running water and electricity.