City walk: Street Art Safari in Mo i Rana
Kristoffer Møllevik / Visit HelgelandTake a walk or bring the kids on a treasure hunt and explore the street art in Mo i Rana. Here, you’ll find graffiti art created by artists from all around the world.
Key info
Degree of difficulty: Easy
Season: All year round
Distance one way: 2.3 kilometers
Ascent one way: Around 40 meters
Duration one way: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Starting Point: The hike starts from the train station in Mo i Rana.
Find the starting point in Google Maps
Google Maps
In the center of Mo i Rana, you’ll discover magnificent and awe-inspiring artworks, both big and small. Some you can’t miss, while others require a keen eye to spot. This tour takes you past a handful of them.
The journey begins at the train station. Just across the street on Amfiveggen, you’ll find the first artwork by Marques, also known as M.u.M. This vibrant and exciting piece beautifully captures the diversity and forward-looking spirit of Mo i Rana.
Continue up Kirkegata to Mo Church before heading to the upper side of Nordland Theater and turning right into Nordlandsparken. In Nordlandsparken, you’ll find fantastic playground equipment for children to enjoy. Take a left near Rana Ungdomsskole and proceed to the next park, Talvikparken. Here, you’ll find a bicycle track, beach volleyball court, a shelter with a fire pit, and several pleasant picnic areas. Continue down through Talvikparken and reach the pedestrian street in the city center.
Merkevarefoto Build Up Helgeland / Visit Helgeland
Merkevarefoto Build Up Helgeland / Visit Helgeland
On the wall near Rust Vinbar, you’ll find the next artwork. This beautiful and expressive mural, approximately 16 meters tall, is created by Eva Hansen Sjøvold. A young local artist who has left a stunning mark on the city. The artwork offers a glimpse into Rana’s history and, perhaps, hints at its future. The artist used reference images from the old ironworks, allowing you to interpret the stories portrayed in this gigantic, colorful, and multifaceted mural.
Walk through the pedestrian street and reach the underpass for the railway. Students from Rana kulturskole are responsible for the street art in what is now called the “love underpass” from the city center towards the Havmannen sculpture. Here, you’ll find, among other things, Havmannens kjæreste (Havmannen’s girlfriend), known as Blomsterpiken (The Flower Girl). Blomsterpiken is created by Eva Hansen Sjøvold, the same artist who adorned the wall near Rust Vinbar. The art in the underpass is a collaboration between the cultural school and artistic director and visual teacher Yvonne Rosten.
Kristoffer Møllevik / Visit Helgeland
The next stop is at the sculpture Havmannen (The Man from the Sea). Havmannen is one of the sculptures in the Skulpturlandskap Nordland (Nordland Sculpture Park). It was created by the English artist Antony Gormley. The sculpture is made of granite, weighs 60 tons, and stands at a height of 10.15 meters.
Kristoffer Møllevik / Visit Helgeland
At the waterfront, the city meets the fjord. The waterfront is built on industrial surplus materials and features seating made of granite, local steel, and concrete. If you look down, you’ll find poetry by Laila Stien embedded in the ground. She writes about life at the ironworks, emphasizing how closely it is intertwined with the city’s identity.
The tour continues to Moholmen, the oldest neighborhood in Mo i Rana. Most of the well-preserved and restored wooden houses from the 1800s are privately owned residences.
Right after Moholmen, you’ll reach the building Moment, which houses Vitensenter Nordland (Nordland Science Center) and Rana Museum. There are also cozy dining options in Moholmen and in the Moment building.
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.
Find accommodations, dining options, and activities nearby
Sure Hotel by Best Western Ole Tobias
Sure Hotel by Best Western Ole Tobias offers accommodation in the town centre of Mo i Rana. The hotel is decorated with details from Norway’s railway history. Breakfast is served in “Spisevogna” (the Dining Car).
Nordland Theatre – Magical Moments
Nordland Theatre offers magical moments that may leave a lifelong impression. The theatre is situated right in the centre of Mo i Rana. This is regularly the venue for new and exciting performances, with the Winter Light Festival (Vinterlysfestivalen); the highlight of the year.
To Elise from Marius – From farm to table
In the village of Utskarpen, between Mo i Rana and Nesna, Elise and Marius established a culinary attraction that is drawing a steady stream of foodies. They offer a dining experience where every dish is made from ingredients fresh from the farm and pasture. They also offer accommodation – charming rooms in a countryside setting.
Mo Gjestegård – guesthouse
Mo Gjestegård offers cosy accommodation that make you feel right at home in the town centre of Mo i Rana. Within walking distance are restaurants, shops and attractions such as the science museum Vitensenter Nordland, the harbour with its Merman statue, and cultural arenas such as Nordland Theatre and Park 22.
Clarion Collection Hotel Helma
The Clarion Collection Hotel Helma is centrally situated in the town Mo i Rana. The hotel offers accommodation designed to make you feel right at home. Its location is conveniently near the shops, the theatre, the science centre Vitensenter Nordland, and the town’s attractive Fjord Promenade. Breakfast, afternoon coffee and a hot supper are always included in the price.
