Right at the southern tip of Helgeland, amidst towering mountains, long fjords, and forest-covered slopes, lies the beautiful Heilhorn Kingdom around Bindal. Vast natural and hiking areas await your exploration.
Bindal is located along County Road 17, right at the southern tip of Helgeland. Click here to view the area on Google Maps.
The easiest way to get to and travel around Bindal is by car, but you can also take a bus to Terråk from Grong or Brønnøysund.
Check the bus schedule for the route Brønnøysund – Grong – Namsos.
Ferry: If you need to travel between Bindal and Sømna (the municipality north of Bindal), you’ll need to take the ferry between Holm and Vennesund. Click on the names above to see them on Google Maps.
Check the ferry schedule for Vennesund-Holm here.
There are many mountains in Bindal, but Heilhornet is the mountain! In its near solitary majesty, it towers high above the lower terrain around, and if you’re arriving by car from the south, it’s a clear marker that you’ve finally reached Helgeland. If you’re in good hiking shape, a trip to the top is recommended. It’s a demanding hike with many vertical meters in relatively steep terrain, but the view over Bindal, the fjords, and the surrounding areas is formidable.
Bindal has a lot to offer for those who enjoy being outdoors. With deep fjords and open stretches of sea. High, pointed mountains as well as long, rounded ones. Islands and islets. Forests and rivers, fishing lakes, and swimming spots. Here, you’ll find something for every outdoorsy preference, whether you come with a fishing rod and hiking boots, mountain bikes and kayaks, or kids in the backseat and an inflatable crocodile strapped to the roof rack.
Bindal has a proud boatbuilding history. Most famous is probably the Bindal færing; an open, and relatively small, yet very seaworthy Nordland boat. With room for cargo, two rowers, and a small sail, this was a versatile and important vessel for fishing, trading, and travelers along the Helgeland coast. In Bindal, they have an annual Nordland boat regatta, where you can see many of these boats as they should be seen: with full sails in beautiful scenery!
If you don’t catch the regatta, or just want to learn even more about boatbuilding and Bindal’s cultural history, you should visit Bindal Bygdetun. This is a department of Helgeland Museum where you can learn more about the boatbuilding tradition, forestry, and life on the crofter’s farm Solheim.
Emilie Solbakken / Visit HelgelandExperiences in Bindal
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.
Bøkestadvannet by Bindalseidet
Swimming spot with grill facilities, public toilets and benches.
See directions on Google Maps
Fallbekkvatnet by Terråk
Rest area and swimming spot with public bathrooms and changing room.
See directions on Google Maps
You can find an overview over more recreation areas on Visit Heilhornet.
You can see the midnight sun from the west side of the Bindal peninsula, or if you climb a bit higher to get a view of the sea to the north-northwest.
Gundagammen
In the autumn, the trip to Gundagammen can be a nice northern lights tour. Here, you enter the ‘pot’ between the mountains Hildringsfjellet, Markahornet, Heilhornet, and Litlhornet on the Bindal peninsula. Remember a headlamp and spikes if it’s frosty.
See the trip on TellTur
Skiitour up Svartåsdalen
In winter, you can follow groomed tracks into Svartåsdalen, just south of Terråk to see the northern lights. Remember a headlamp.
See the track on Løyper.net
See trailhead on Google Maps
Heilhornet
The hike to Heilhornet is demanding, but the view from the top is great in the evening or midnight sun. However, we do not recommend doing this hike in periods when it’s so dark that you’ll need a headlamp, as the last part of the hike is challenging and goes through very rugged terrain with climbing and scrambling.
Read more about Heilhornet here
Read more about midnightsun in Helgeland
Read more about northern lights in Helgeland
