Øygarden, with its 550 islands and reefs, has a beautiful and historic landscape. It’s simple to explore Øygarden with a bus from Bergen and boat from Hellesøy, in the north of Øygarden. Enjoy the view from the bus as you cross the bridges between Øygarden’s many islands, or hop off the bus and take a walk along the North Sea Trail – you’ll see several marked trails in both the Fjell and Øygarden districts. As you travel the length of Øygarden, there are several places that are well worth a visit:

Klyva
At Torsvik, about 30 minutes from Bergen city centre, Klyva’s activity and wilderness camp offers exciting activities for the whole family.

The Coast Museum Museum & Øygarden Salmon Centre
10 minutes further north you'll find the maritime museum at the beautiful Ovågen. In Ovågen you can experience real coastal culture and discover how the region’s inhabitants have used its resources during the last 10000 years. In the cafe you can enjoy the view, sip a cup of coffee, taste some freshly baked traditional homemade pancakes or a succulent salmon roll. You can also hire a rowing boat or a bicycle. Just a short boat trip from the pier, you can learn about the marine industry, first hand. Øygarden Salmon Centre, as well as the Coastal Museum, offer guided tours and information about the development of the Norwegian and the local marine industry.

Adnestova
At Nordre Sæle you’l find Adnestova, a 300 year old house that was once part of small hamlet. Here you can learn about the living conditions of the fishermen and farmers who have lived in the local community over the last three centuries. In the grounds of Adnestova is a coastal garden with different herbs, heather, rhododendrons and other plants that bloom throughout the year. The garden is also open to the public.

Hellesøy
One hour and 17 bridges from Bergen is Hellesøy, last stop on the bus tour, and a holiday paradise for boaters, bus tourists, cyclists and other day visitors. Here Destination Hellesøy offers accommodation in sea cabins and apartments. The guest house offers international cuisine and, like the general store at Hellesøy, is a natural meeting place for residents and those visiting northern Øygarden.

Lyngøy, Hernar, Sanden and Nordøysund
A short boat ride north of Hellesøy you’ll find the idyllic islands of Lyngøy, Hernar, Sanden and Nordøysund. You can take a round-trip boat tour, island-hopping the four islands. Of the four islands, only Hernar is inhabited (by twelve inhabitants). The local shop is open whilst the tour boat is running and is a good place to get a coffee or snack. Hernar has been a meeting centre for traffic entering the region’s western islands since the middle ages and has been an important commercial centre for centuries. Contact the Coastal Museum for further information about Hernar.

FIND FRAM
Public buses (470-479) run from the bus station in Bergen (platform 11-12) or from Olav Kyrresgate (outside Peppe's Pizza). If you buy bus a ticket to Hellesøy, you can break your journey at the Coastal Museum and continue to Hellesøy on same day. Below are three suggestions for circular tours, taking the bus from Bergen and boat from Hellesøy (May-August). For other times please see www.tide.no and www.bnr.no.


Tour 1: Bergen - Kystmuseet - Hernar - Bergen

Daily
10.08 Depart bus station (platform 11 to 12)
11.20 Arrive at the Coastal Museum
13.20 Depart the Coastal Museum
13.45 Arrive Hellesøy
15.05 / * 15.50 Depart Hellesøy by boat
15.20/16.05 Arrive Hernar. Return journey must be arranged!
16.45/17.20 Depart Hernar (17.20 must be agreed)
17.05/17.40 Arrive Hellesøy
17.10/18.10 Depart Hellesøy by bus
18.50/19.55 Arrive Bergen
* Applies Wed, Thurs, Fri


Round 2: Bergen - Hernar - Bergen

Daily Saturdays Sundays
14.13 08.08 12.08 Depart bus station (platform 11 to 12)
15.45 09.45 13.45 Arrive Hellesøy
15.05 * / 15.50 09.50 13.45 Depart Hellesøy by boat
15.20/16.05 10.05 14.00 Arrive Hernar. Return journey must be arranged!
16.45/17.20 16.40 16.50 Departure Hernar (17.20 must be arranged)
17.05/17.40 17.00 17.10 Arrive Hellesøy
17.10/18.10 19.40 17.10 Depart Hellesøy by bus
18.50/19.55 21.25 18.55 Arrive Bergen (Vestre Strømkai)
* Applies Wed, Thurs, Fri

Round 3: Bergen - Coastal Museum - Bergen

Daily Sundays
10.08 12.08 Depart bus station (platform 11 to 12)
11.20 13.20 Arrive Kystmuseet
14.30 17.30 Depart Kystmuseet
15.50 18.55 Arrive Bergen (Vestre Strømkai)