HELGELAND

The fairy tale of Nordland

Experience one of the world’s most epic road trips along the Norwegian Scenic Route Helgelandskysten and the Kystriksveien Coastal Route.

Or discover Helgeland by its original coastal highway – the sea!

Helgeland lies in the southern part of Nordland in Northern Norway, between Bodø and Trondheim.

The Coastal Road is rated as one of the most beautiful drives in the world, through stunning nature landscapes.

Hiking, kayaking and cycling are popular activities. You can also go on guided glacier walks on Svartisen, Norway’s second-largest glacier.

Another must-do is to visit some of the many very unique islands along the coast, like Træna, Herøy, Dønna, Lovund and Rødøy, to name a few. The Vega Islands are on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

You can drive the Coastal Road in two days, but at least 3-7 days are recommended.

In the summer you can experience the midnight sun, and in autumn and winter, maybe you'll get a glimpse of the northern lights!

Sun shining through a hole in a mountain.

Starting in the south, with one of the regions absolute top attractions: Torghatten!

You can hike through the hole that goes right through the mountain. There's also a scenic weelchair-friendly path around the mountain.

Brønnøysund and Vega

The iconic Torghatten mountain lies on a scenic island just 12 km from the coastal town of Brønnøysund, which is also home to the local airport.

The Brønnøysund area makes an excellent base for exploring the region by bike, with cycling packages and bike rentals available.

There are plenty of places to stay and eat in the area, but for a truly memorable experience, try the surprise menu at the excellent Svang restaurant in Brønnøysund. Alternatively, combine delicious food with a restful night’s sleep and a stroll through the fragrant herb garden at Hildurs Urterarium, located just north of the town.

UNESCO heritage at Vega

Instead of continuing directly north along the Coastal Route by ferry from Horn-Andalsvåg to Tjøtta, take a scenic detour through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Vega Archipelago.

Discover Vega’s unique eiderdown tradition at the striking Vega World Heritage Centre, which also has a lovely café with panoramic ocean views.

Explore the island by bike, relax on white-sand beaches and visit the small fishing village of Nes. For sweeping views, climb the Vegatrappa steps or via ferrata to the top of Ravnfloget.

Nearby, you can stay “eider-duck style” in the distinctive cabins at Base Camp Vega, who also offers attractive camping options.

Brønnøysund and Vega

Places to stay and restaurants in and around the Brønnøysund and Vega region.

Things to do

...in Brønnøysund and Vega.

Paddling paradises ahead!

Next simple, but extremely avarding detour, is a true island-hopping adventure at Herøy and Dønna. This is a great area for a biking and kayaking adventure!

Sandnessjøen and Mosjøen area

Next up is the coastal town of Sandnessjøen (it has also got a local airport), right at the foot of the impressive Seven Sisters mountain range, with a lot of challenging hikes for experiences hikers. This area is a great base for island hopping, hiking, biking and kayaking.

Herøy

A strongly recommended detour is to take the ferry to Herøy, where you can enjoy white beaches and go cycling or driving over a series of pintoreqsue bridges and islets, with stunning views. Stop for a artisan pizzas with a Norwegian gourmet touch at Skolo, a stylishly renovated old school and architectual gem, where you also can stay for the night.

And be sure to visit Norway's most unique and quirky flower and knick-knacks shop, Etceterea. A surprising and absolute must-visit!

Dønna

Continue over the long bridge to impressive Dønna, a mythical island with a long history. Explore the white Breivika beach at, and hike or drive up the Dønnesfjellet mountain lodge for great views. Dønnamannen is a great, but tough, hike.

There are a lot of nice places to stay and to eat, medieval churches, museums and a stone phallos (!) to visit, and you should also try delicious chocolate and yummy food at Sjokoladebrygga.

From here, you can take a short ferry trip back to Sandnessjøen, explore street art and enjoy the indoor water park at the cultural house. Perfekt for a rainy day!

Mosjøen

A short drive inland from Sandnessjøen brings you to Mosjøen, a charming town located along the E6 – Norway’s main north-south route. It is a convenient place to join or leave or connect with the Kystriksveien coastal route if you prefer not to drive the entire journey.

Stroll through the historic town centre, with its picturesque wooden houses, before taking on the impressive Helgelandstrappa – one of Norway’s longest stone stairways. For an extra thrill, make your way back down by zipline!

Where to stay and eat

...in the Sandnessjøen, Dønna and Herøy region.

Things to do

...in Sandnessjøen, Herøy and Dønna.

Go island hopping on the Helgeland coast. Aerial photograph of Træna in Helgeland, Northern Norway

Now, you should head out to the original coastal route, the highway of the seas, and go island hopping to more remote destinations.

Explore outposts like mythical Træna (photo), the whisky island Myken, and the puffin island Lovund, and many more!

Go island hopping

Discover remote islands, welcoming communities and unforgettable coastal scenery. Most islands can be reached by express boat or ferry from Sandnessjøen, Nesna, Tonnes or Stokkvågen.

The comfortable, modern NEX express boat also connects the main islands and villages between Sandnessjøen and Bodø, offering spectacular views along the way. The boat journey is part of the adventure, and you do not need a car to explore the islands.

Træna

Far out at sea, Træna is a mythical island outpost with a wonderfully quirky and creative atmosphere. It is also home to one of Norway’s most distinctive hotel resorts: Ytri Island Retreat and House by the Sea, a high-end resort inspired by Nordic design and local traditions. With its striking architecture, it offers an experience unlike anywhere else. FOr enjoy the warm and sociable atmosphere at cosy Træna 8770.

Plan to spend several days here. Take the local boat to explore the tiny island communities of Sanna and Selvær, each with its own fascinating history, scenery and character.

Lovund

Lovund rises from the sea like a shark fin! The island is known for its puffins, hiking trails and white-sand beaches.

Enjoy excellent food at sleek Lovund Hotel, relax in a floating sauna and visit one of Norway's coolest and most distinctive cofee roasteries, The Coast Coffee.

Myken

The outhermost outpost is the tiny island of Myken, 32 km off the mainland. Think 13 inhabitants, an incredible Whisky Cathedral, a magical lighthouse (yes, you can stay here!), and not at least, go to the local grocery shop where all the islanders and friends meet up every day to chat, knit and get cosy!

Stay at stylish The Still house, or in the quirky Myken Bed and Soup, with an indoor camping and a welcoming restaurant in the island's old school.

Rødøy

Farther north lies Rødøy, where you can hike the spectacular Rødøyløva National Tourist Trail, paddle and relax on white beaches. The island is accessible by a short car-ferry crossing from Jektvik or aboard the NEX express boat. Stay in nostalgic surroundings at Klokkergården, where you also can eat local food.

More adventures

Many other islands and villages along the Coastal Route are well worth exploring. Tonnes and Nesna, for example, offer seaside campsites and cabins, and make excellent bases for further adventures.

Food lovers travelling from Nesna should consider a short and scenic detour to To Elise from Marius in Utskarpen, one of Norway’s most distinctive culinary destinations. The restaurant is considered a strong candidate for inclusion in the Michelin Guide, and guests can stay in sleek new cabins with panoramic views.

From Nesna and Utskarpen, you can also continue east to the town of Mo i Rana, located along the E6 and served by its own airport. Here, you can explore the underground world of Grønligrotta or Setergrotta, or even try underwater cave diving in Pluragrotta, regarded as one of the world’s leading cave-diving destinations.

Things to do

...in Træna, Lovund, Myken, Rødøy and Nesna.

Where to stay and eat

...in Træna, Myken, Lovund, Rødøy and Nesna.

The Svartisen glacier in Helgeland, Northern Norway.

An island of the coast of Northern Norway.

Next up along the Coastal Road is glacier hiking at the Engabreen branch of Svartisen.

Start with a scenic boat trip across Holandsfjorden or the Svartisvannet lake and experience Norway’s second-largest glacier!

The Norwegian Scenic Route Helgelandskysten and the Kystriksveien Coastal road continue north through spectacular landscape.

Discover dramatic mountains, scenic hiking trails and white sandy beaches in the Salten region, including peaceful island destinations such as Bolga and Støtt, before you head to the creative "capital" of Nordland: Bodø!

Where to stay and things to do

...in Salten and the northern part of the Coastal road.

Inland Helgeland also offers a lot to see and do! Stop in Trofors for an exhilarating rafting adventure.

Inland Helgeland

E6, Norway’s main north-south route, passes some great places to explore in the of inland Helgeland, including the Arctic Circle Centre at Saltfjellet.

Stop in Trofors for an exhilarating rafting adventure, and take time to explore the National Parks Saltfjellet-Svartisen, Børgefjell or Lomsdal-Visten, in additions to the towns of Mosjøen and Mo i Rana.

Just south of Helgeland, at Namdalsskogen, Park Nordica is a great stop along E6 to break the trip and see Nordic wildlife in its natural habitat.

Explore inland Helgeland

Find more information on Helgeland's official website.

visithelgeland.com/no/

How to travel to and in Helgeland

Helgeland lies between Bodø and Trondheim, and is easy to reach by car, The Nordland railway, bus, plane, and boat.

The comfortable and modern NEX express boats, known locally as Nordlandsekspressen, connect many of the islands and coastal communities between Sandnessjøen and Bodø. A great way to explore the region and go island hopping along the coast. Check out the Nordland Travel Pass.

Road alternatives

By car, you can follow the E6, Norway’s main south-north route, or choose the scenic Coastal Route, known as Kystriksveien. It runs from Steinkjer in the south to Bodø in the north. Part of the journey follows the Norwegian Scenic Route Helgelandskysten, and the route is widely regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful coastal drives.

You can drive the 650 km long Coastal route in two days, but it's highly recommended to use at least 3-7 days in order to explore the islands and other highlights.

Ferries and express boats

Travelling by ferry and express boat is an essential part of exploring the Helgeland coast.

During the busy summer season, particularly in July, queues may form at ferry crossings along the Coastal Route. Services may also be delayed or cancelled because of bad weather or technical issues, so allow extra time and check the latest timetables before travelling.

Planning an island-hopping journey can be a little complicated. We recommend reading Visit Helgeland’s comprehensive guide to travelling by ferries and express boats.

Car-ferry timetables

Express boat timetables

Buy bus and express boat tickets on Reis Nordland

Travelling with a motorhome?

For your safety and comfort, we strongly recommend staying at one of Helgeland’s many beautifully situated campings or designated motorhome areas. Rest stops are not ment for overnight stays.

Camping rules

Explore Helgeland

Plan your trip to Helgeland with Entur, Norway's official travel planner.

By car
The E6 runs the length of Helgeland and is the most direct route northwards.
If you want to drive the scenic route, choose the Norwegian Scenic Route Helgelandskysten(“the Coastal Route”, Rv17) which stretches from Steinkjer to Bodø. Note that this road includes several ferry crossing.
You can also reach the Helgeland coast via Tosenvegen (Fv76), Mosjøen (Fv 78) or Mo i Rana (E12).
Plan your route, check traffic alerts, ferry information and more at the Norwegian Roads Administration website.
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By boat
Several express boats and ferries take you between the destinations at the Helgeland coast.
The modern and comfortable Nordlandsekspressen NEX express boat connects many islands and coastal communities between Bodø and Sandnessjøen, and it's a great way to explore the region.
Tickets and time tables
Hurtigruten or Havila calls at Rørvik, Brønnøysund, Sandnessjøen, Nesna, Ørnes, and Bodø twice a day.
Ad: Hurtigruten – the world’s most beautiful sea voyage
Local travel
Several buses run between the larger destinations in Helgeland.
A number of ferries and express boats are ready to transport you between the destinations along the Norwegian Scenic Route Helgelandskysten (Rv17), and to and from the islands off the coast.
Check out Travel Pass Nordland and travel with express boat, ferry, and bus for a seven days without extra cost!
By train
The Nordland Line is named one of the world’s most beautiful train journeysby Lonely Planet and runs from Trondheim to Bodø. The train journey from Trondheim to Mosjøen takes about 5 hours, while the trip to Mo i Rana takes 6 hours. Trains from Bodø take 3 hours to Mo i Rana, and 4 hours to Mosjøen.
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By plane
There are direct flights from Oslo to Brønnøysund and Sandnessjøen.
There are also direct flights from Trondheim and Bodø to Brønnøysund, Sandnessjøen, Mosjøen, and Mo i Rana.
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By bus
There are frequent bus services between the coast of Helgeland and many inland destinations, like Mo i Rana and Mosjøen.
Tickets and time tables

Discover more

Go island hopping along the Helgeland coast

Scenic Route Helgelandskysten and Kystriksveien

The Vega Islands

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