Itinerary: Island hopping from Støtt to Sandnessjøen
Hans Petter Sørensen / faroutfocus.no
Our suggested seven-day island-hopping adventure highlights some of the finest holiday experiences Helgeland has to offer. You travel by express boat from island to scenic island along the magnificent Helgeland coast.
Turinfo
Recomended duration: 7 days
Stops:
Støtt
Lovund
Sandnessjøen
Mosjøen or Herøy
Visit Helgeland
Thank you for respecting the local communities, and for helping us preserve the natural beauty of Helgeland!
Please:
- Strive to leave no trace of your visit. Bring back all your rubbish, including used toilet paper, and discard it in the nearest rubbish bin.
- Plan your toilet visits and use the opportunity when you pass a toilet. In the wilderness, make sure you are not a nuisance to others.
- Respect the local wildlife. Keep a good distance from wildlife, livestock and birds. Keep your dog leashed.
- Respect private property. Keep a respectful distance from houses and cabins.
- Show good boating sense. Keep a good distance from shore and drive at a low speed, especially when you are close to anyone or anything on the water, including birds or animals. Avoid loud and disturbing engine noise. Be aware that some islands and nature reserves are important nesting sites, and that going ashore is prohibited during the nesting season.
- Follow the Norwegian Mountain Code (Fjellvettreglene). Plan your excursion according to the weather forecast, your skills and experience.
- Join a guided excursion or consider hiring an experienced guide, especially when you don’t have sufficient experience or knowledge to guarantee a safe trip.
Day 1: From Bodø to Støtt
Boat ride: About 1 hour
Departure and arrival: Afternoon departure from Bodø, afternoon arraival at Støtt.
See the timetable
Check in at Støtt Old Trading Post, which dates from the 19th century. The hosts take pride in offering you personal hospitality, charming and elegant accommodation, memorable dining, and a unique range of activities and adventures.
At Restaurant Gammelbutikken (the Old Store), the chef prepares memorable dishes from the fishermen’s fresh local catch and other locally-sourced ingredients.
Day 2: Exploring Støtt – with activities of your choice
Join a deep-sea fishing trip on a traditional fishing boat. The captain charts a course through a nature reserve renowned for its rich and varied birdlife. Sea eagles soaring the sky above keep a watchful eye on you.
Or take a guided walk through the fishing village and visit nearby historical sights. Your guide will share stories from the trading post’s golden heyday, giving you insights into the islanders’ challenges and everyday lives, past and present.
Up on Svenningen plateau, you’ll explore the bunkers and cannon positions that date back to World War II, and hear about events during Nazi Germany’s occupation. The view from the plateau, one of the highest points on the main island, is spectacular! To the north is the open stretch of ocean misleadingly named the Vestfjord and the jagged peaks of the Lofoten Islands, while to the south you peer over many islands, with the Meløy Alps dominating the distance.
Støtt also offers a wide range of other activities, such as guided kayaking adventures, cycling, picnics on white sandy beaches and guided glacier treks. During the autumn and winter, you may see Northern Lights dance across the sky!
Day 3: From Støtt to the island of Lovund
Boat ride: About 2 hours and 40 minutes
Departure and arrival: Late afternoon departure from Støtt, evening arraival at Lovund.
See the timetable
After you check in at Lovund Hotel, you can look forward to dinner in their restaurant.
Lovund Hotel has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best hotels on the Helgeland coast. Guests enjoy stunning views of the sea and sunset. Delicious dishes are served in the restaurant; food and refreshments are also available in the hotel’s Bistro & Bar. If weather allows, you can savour the stunning view from the rooftop terrace.
Day 4: Experience Lovund
Join us for an evening walk to one of the largest puffin colonies in Norway. As many as 300,000 of these seabirds, with their distinct multi-coloured beaks nest on the rocky slopes of Lovundfjellet every summer. The puffin colony is situated just 30 minutes from the hotel. The guided walks guided walks are offered from 14 April to 15 August.
A summit hike up Lovundfjellet (623 m) is a more challenging option. A magnificent panorama of the Helgeland coast awaits you – and what other mountaintop welcomes you with a flowery meadow!
How about combining golf with feeding the fish? Our Sea Golf driving range is situated 60 metres above sea level and offers an great view. Special golf balls, available at the reception of Lovund Hotel, are made of fish food! These balls dissolve when they land in the water – to the great satisfaction of the fish.
You want additional options? Other activities include a guided walk through Lovund village, a visit to Lovund’s Coastal Culture Centre, or bird watching. You might also consider a day trip by boat to Træna, the oldest fishing village in Norway.
Day 5: The town of Sandnessjøen awaits!
Boat ride: About 2 hours
Departure and arrival: Morning departure from Lovund, late morning arrival at Sandnessjøen.
See the timetable
Prepare for an early departure by ordering breakfast-to-go from the hotel. You can also purchase breakfast on the express boat. Check in at Hotel Scandic Syv Søstre when you get to Sandnessjøen. The day is still young – relax or choose from a wealth of activity options.
A visit to the historic site of Alstahaug is both a cultural and scenic experience. Alstahaug church was built in the 13th century. Next door is the Petter Dass Museum, which celebrates Northern Norway’s 17th-century poet-priest. At Margrethe’s Café you can enjoy authentic Helgeland cuisine.
The chieftain who resided at Sandnes is mentioned in the sagas, and during the Viking era he was a power with whom Northern Norwegians had to reckon. The chieftain’s farm at Sandnes has been recreated on the basis of amazing archaeological finds. Today you are invited to an authentic Viking experience! Bring your family or friends or friends, enjoy storytelling while wearing Viking garments, learn crafts and see cultural performances, take part in duels and competitions and other activities – and perhaps even enjoy a real Viking banquet! (Available for groups of 30 people or more.)
If you are on your own or a small gruop, you can also dine at Restaurant Sopranos or Helgeland Kolonial.
Day 6: Go on a day trip
Option 1: Mosjøen
With Mosjøen being only an hour’s drive away, it is easily accessible by car or scheduled bus. Here is some of what you can enjoy in this attractive coastal town:
Take a guided walk along the historic Sjøgata street, where you will find the largest concentration of old wooden houses in Northern Norway. In some of these well-maintained, 19th-century houses, you will find charming shops and friendly cafés. Season for the guided walk: Daily in July, Monday–Friday at 10 am, 1 pm on Saturday and Sunday. The rest of the year, this guided walk is available on request. Email if interested.
If you’re up for a challenge, we suggest climbing the Via Ferrata on Øyfjellet. Then, from this centrally situated mountain, you can soar like a bird down the 700 metre long Zip-line, across the Vefsna river, landing in the gardens of Fru Haugans Hotel.
Many adventures beckon near Mosjøen. How about a guided exploration of the impressive limestone cave called Øyfjellgrotta? You can go for a hike at the nearby Marsøra recreational area, take a swim at Mosjøen’s town beach, or enjoy a relaxed picnic in the town park. During the winter, the options include snowmobiling and snowshoeing.
Option 2: Herøy and Dønna
The idyllic islands of Herøy are ideal for exploration on two wheels, or by car or bus.
To get here, catch the ferry from Søvik, 10 km from the Sandnessjøen town centre. The ferry crossing takes around 45 minutes. Herøy consists of many islands, several of which are connected by bridges. The islands are relatively flat, making them perfect for cycling. Attractions include Herøy church (also referred to as the “Helgeland Cathedral”), Herøy Museum and Etcetera Botanical Ventures. Augustbryggo can provide you with hearty food and good lodgings.
When you are ready to return to the mainland, you can take the ferry from Flostad back to Søvik.
Another option is to continue your exploration; drive or cycle across the bridge to Dønna island. Here we suggest visiting Dønnes church, built in the 13th century, as well as Dønnes Gård, a former vicarage next door. Afterwards, treat yourself to divine handmade chocolates at Heidis Sjokoladedrøm, probably the smallest chocolate factory in the world. When you’ve had your fill an and perhaps stashed away some sweet delights for later consumption, you can take the ferry from Bjørn directly to Sandnessjøen. You arrive at a ferry quay in the town centre, only a 100-metre walk from Scandic Hotel Syv Søstre. That’s a great place for a relaxing dinner.
Day 7: A coastal “cruise” from Sandnessjøen to Bodø
Boat ride: About 5 hours
Departure and arrival: Departure in the morning or early afternoon, depending on the day.
See the timetable
If your boat leaves early, you can make breakfast and or lunch at your rorbu, before you walk to the boat and enjoy the boat ride back to Bodø. If your boat leaves later in the day, you’ll have time to stroll around the island for a bit, maybe enjoy a good breakfast at the dock or the beach.
Whatever you chose to do with this last day, we hope you’ve enjoyed exploring scenic Helgeland, and wish you a safe journey home!
For the next part of your journey
Here’s some tips to activities and attractions in Bodø, from our friends at Visit Bodø.
