Attractions along Kystriksveien

Visit the UNESCO protected Vega Archipelago, stop at the Coastal Museum in Rørvik and climb one of Norway's most famous landmarks, Torghatten.

The official website for Kystriksveien

kystriksveien.no

A journey along Kystriksveien offers both natural and cultural attractions.

Museums along Kystriksveien

Along Kystriksveien you will find both small local museums (present in every municipality) and regional and thematic museums. In the middle of the shipping lane, in the centre of Rørvik, you will find The Coastal Museum Norveg. Beside being an interesting building, this is a centre showing Norway's coastal history.

In Nevernes Havn in Hommelstø you will find a multicentre presenting local traditions within agriculture and fishing trades of the Helgeland region. Other interesting museums are the Egge museum in Steinkjer, the Petter Dass museum south of Sandnessjøen, the National Norwegian Aviation Museum in Bodø, and the coastal fortress Grønsvik close to Stokkvågen.

The Vega Archipelago

The island of Vega and its surrounding islands were awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2004. The islands bear testimony to a distinctive frugal way of life based on fishing and the harvesting of the down of eider ducks. There are fishing villages, quays, warehouses, eider-houses (built for eider ducks to nest in), farming landscapes, lighthouses and beacons for you to visit on the Vega islands.

Torghatten Mountain

This mountain, 166 metres long and 75 metres high, is one of the most famous landmarks in Norway. The mountain, situated just 15 kilometres outside Brønnøysund, has a huge hole that you can walk through. It only takes about 30 minutes to walk from the car park to the top and the view is incredible. The Torghatten campsite is located at the foot of the mountain.

Destination Jøa

At the start of the route - about 30 km north of Namsos you find the small island Jøa. Jøa is perfect for biking, but you may also visit the Iron Age Farm at Tranås, or learn the interesting history of the famous author Olav Duun.

Leka - Norway's geological national monument

On the island you will find a geology centre and a geology trail which provide you with useful information about the distinctive geology that makes Leka so unique. The cave paintings in the Solsemhula (Solsemcave) is also worth a visit (guided tours every summer - only to be visited by guide). Read more about Leka or download a cycling brochure with a good map.

De syv søstre (The Seven Sisters)

Just outside Sandnessjøen you can visit the mountains De syv søstre. The best view of the mountains is from the island of Herøy.

Roundtrip on Herøy and Dønna

Take the island tour as a round trip via car ferry from Søvik (south of Sandnessjøen) and out to Herøy. Continue to Dønna and then take the car ferry to Sandnessjøen. It is a beautiful route with fantastic views and many interesting places to explore.

The puffin colony at Lovund

There is a puffin (or sea parrot) colony on the island of Lovund. It returns annually on 14 April, and may be seen during the season. For more information, please contact Lovund Rorbuhotell. The island Træna is located close to Lovund and has spectacular mountain formations.

The Svartisen Glacier

Just north of the Arctic Circle, you will find the second largest glacier on mainland Norway, Svartisen. You can see t it from the road rv. 17 at Holand, but if you want to visit the glacier you need to take the boat across the Holandsfjord. There are daily guided glacier tours.

Saltstraumen – the world's strongest tide current

The sound that connects the Saltenfjord and the Skjerstadfjord with the sea has one of the world's strongest tidal currents. About 400 million cubic metres of water flows under the Saltstraumen Bridge four times a day. The water forms whirlpools with a diameter of up to 12 metres. Saltstraumen is an excellent place for fishing.