Itinerary: Electric Car to Nature Experiences

On Helgeland, travelling by electric car isn’t just about driving from one charging station to the next – it’s about going from one great nature experience to another. This 7-day itinerary takes you to some of the region’s best hiking and outdoor areas, with recommended charging points along the way.

Day 1: Experience Børgefjell

Today’s stretch: About 82 km from Brekkvasselv to Fiplingdalen
View stretch on Google Maps
Charging: LAD OPP Brekkvasselv
Overnight: Strandli Gård

The journey begins at Lad Opp’s charging station in Brekkvasselv, where you can top up both your own and your car’s batteries before your first adventure. The day’s goal is beautiful Fiplingdalen, along Villmarksveien, with a day hike into Børgefjell National Park. While charging, it’s worth picking up supplies from the nearby shop – and maybe grabbing a bite at the roadside café.

From the charging station, it’s just over an hour’s drive to Fiplingdalen, where you can drive straight to the Simskardet parking area. From here, you can explore Børgefjell on the Simskardrunden trail. The hike takes 2–3 hours, but if you start the day late or simply prefer a shorter walk, you can enjoy the scenery right by the parking area, where you’ll find a large open-sided wooden shelter and interesting information boards about the park.

After Simskardet, we recommend staying at Strandli Gård, less than 20 minutes’ drive away.

Day 2: Mosjøen

Today’s stretch: About 75 km from Fiplingdalen to Mosjøen
View stretch on Google Maps
Charging: LAD OPP Topcamp Mosjøen
Overnight: Topcamp Mosjøen or Toppen Panorama

Today’s drive is short – just over an hour – giving you time to enjoy a relaxed morning at Strandli Gård, take a walk nearby, or head into Børgefjell if you missed it yesterday.

Once in Mosjøen, it’s a good idea to stop at Lad Opp’s charging station at Topcamp Mosjøen. It’s next to the Kippermoen recreational area, with walking paths, a cycling track, sand volleyball, tennis courts, athletics facilities, frisbee golf, and bike trails.

With a full battery, head into Mosjøen’s centre and take a stroll along historic Sjøgata. Here you’ll find charming eateries, cosy cafés, and the Helgeland Museum, where you can learn about the old wharf buildings.

We haven’t planned any strenuous outings today, but Mosjøen offers plenty of short hikes if you want to stretch your legs. From Toppen Panorama you can easily access the trails to Panorama and Tårnet, while Topcamp Mosjøen is close to Mosåsen and Marsøra – both also great cycling routes.

Day 3: The Helgeland Stairs

Today’s stretch: Only local driving in Mosjøen

Today brings a challenge – though you decide how big it will be. Mosjøen is home to the world’s longest stone staircase, Helgelandstrappa. With its 4,175 steps, it climbs from the riverbank of the Vefsna up to Øyfjellet’s summit, 818 metres above sea level. Feeling tired just thinking about it? Don’t worry – there are rest spots and viewpoints along the way, so you can stop whenever you like. If you prefer, simply make one of these viewpoints your goal for the day.

Alternatively, for an extra thrill, you might climb to the top via the secured Mosjøen Via Ferrata route, and afterwards take the zipline back over the river. This way, you’ll land right by Fru Haugans Hotel – perfect for celebrating your achievement with a meal at Restaurant Ellen.

Day 4: To Dønna via Øvre Forsland Power Station

Today’s stretch: About 85 km from Mosjøen to Dønna
View stretch on Google Maps
Read about the ferry to Dønna
Charging: LAD OPP Esso Mosjøen, LAD OPP Leland, LAD OPP in Sandnessjøen or LAD OPP by 3 Kalver on Dønna
Overnight: 3 Kalver

Today the route heads for the coast, crossing the Helgeland Bridge to Sandnessjøen and then by ferry to the large island of Dønna. On the way, you can take a walk or cycle to Øvre Forsland Hydropower Station in Leirfjord. But first, let’s plan the charging.

If you want to start the day with a full battery, stop at the Esso station in Halsøy on your way out of Mosjøen. Grab a coffee while charging, and stock up on supplies from one of the nearby supermarkets.

From there, continue towards Leirfjord and Øvre Forsland Power Station. From the car park, it’s an easy walk through mountain pine forest along a gravel road to the striking, architect-designed hydropower station run by Helgeland Kraft. The trip works well on foot or by bike, and once there, you’ll find an open-sided wooden shelter and fire pit – perfect for enjoying your packed lunch by the sound of the river. The electricity for Lad Opp’s charging stations comes from hydropower plants like this one.

If you need to charge again, stop in Leland, where there’s a good station with toilets and benches, close to shops and a friendly café.

Then it’s on to Sandnessjøen and the ferry to Dønna. The ferry runs frequently, so if there’s time, you can take a short walk in the town centre. There’s a charging station nearby.

The ferry trip is short, and from Dønna’s ferry quay it’s just a short drive to 3 Kalver farm restaurant, your accommodation for the night.

Day 5: Explore Dønna and Herøy

Today’s stretch: Local driving on Dønna and Herøy
Charging: 3 Kalver on Dønna or LAD OPP Herøy

How far you drive today depends entirely on what you choose to do. Either way, you can recharge at 3 Kalver in the evening.

Dønna is a large island with a beautiful cultural landscape, steep peaks, and gentler hills. The neighbouring Herøy islands are a stunning archipelago connected by bridges, ideal for cycling. Herøy’s sheltered waters are also perfect for kayaking.

If you’re ready for a tough hike, consider climbing Dønnamannen – a steep and demanding route, but with a breathtaking view from the top for those in good mountain shape and with good mountain safety skills. For something gentler, cycle to the Breivika beach, or choose an easier hike like Åkvikfjellet or Stortuva in Herøy.

Both Dønna and Herøy have charming cafés, restaurants, and shops worth visiting along the way.

Day 6: To Utskarpen and Mo i Rana

Today’s stretch: About 90 km from Dønna via Nesna to Utskarpen
View stretch on Google Maps
Read more about the ferry to Nesna
Charging: LAD OPP Utskarpen
Overnight: To Elise frpm Marius or I Ro og Mak at Straumen Gård

Today includes two ferry crossings, but the distance is short, so there’s no rush. If you missed anything yesterday, spend the morning on Dønna or Herøy. If you want more time in Herøy, you can take the ferry to Sandnessjøen from there instead of returning via Dønna. Just keep in mind you still have the Levang–Nesna ferry to catch, and there can be some waiting time on busy days.

The route passes through Leland again. If you didn’t charge yesterday and want to do so before Utskarpen, you have another chance here.

From Levang, take the ferry to Nesna. From Nesna, it’s less than 30 minutes to Utskarpen. If you have time, stop to visit the local brewery or hike up Hammarøyfjellet for views over the Helgeland coast.

In Utskarpen, we highly recommend dinner at To Elise from Marius – an outstanding dining experience that must be booked well in advance. You can also rent bikes here to explore the quiet country roads, or if you have a kayak, paddle in Straumen, a narrow fjord cut off from the rest of Ranfjorden by a slim channel.

Day 7: Mountain Adventures

Today’s stretch: Local driving around Utskarpen and Mo i Rana

The final day is yours to shape. You might take a long mountain hike, enjoy a short walk nearby, visit Mo i Rana, or simply relax in Utskarpen’s peaceful countryside.

From Utskarpen you have easy access to dramatic coastal peaks like Tortenviktinden or Klubben in Aldersundet, the Arctic Circle and Saltfjellet–Svartisen National Park, the Svartisen glacier, and the many attractions in Mo i Rana – from the science centre and climbing hall to cafés, restaurants, caves, and surrounding mountains.

Explore more