A cycling adventure: Torghatten – the iconic mountain with a hole in it
Bård Løken
Hear the sounds from the sea and enjoy the coastal landscape on this nice bike ride from Brønnøysund to the legendary mountain Torghatten on the island Torget.
Key info
Length one way: 15 km
Duration one way: 1-2 hours
Bike rental: You can rent a bike in Brønnøysund.
Description of your hike
Your destination is Torghatten, the iconic mountain with a hole through it. But you may well want to extend your cycling adventure and explore the beautiful coves to the west, or take time to stop at Toft, which is a charming place along the route.
Olav Søla
This excursion starts from the town centre of Brønnøysund and proceeds over Brønnøybrua, a beautiful bridge that offers an amazing view of the surrounding area. From the top of the 44-metre-high bridge you can see Vega archipelago to the west, the island of Lovund and the mountain range called the Seven Sisters (De syv søstre) to the north, a series of impressive mountains to the east, and Torghatten and Leka to the south.
From Brønnøysund town centre, just follow the signs towards Torghatten. As you cycle along the harbour, you will see the oldest part of this coastal town. You reach route Fv54 just before the bridge.
The mountain and the island
Across that bridge is the island called Torget, and the legendary mountain of Torghatten stands on its southern shore. Until then you ride through a flat but attractive landscape. The distance from the centre of Brøynnøysund to the foot of the mountain is 15 km but, as mentioned, you might well be tempted to take detours to see more of the island’s other attractions.
For instance, roughly in the middle of the island, and 7 km from town, you can take the turnoff towards Toft. Here you will find the Norwegian Aquaculture Centre, an exhibition centre that is nicely situated in an old hamlet. This round-trip detour is 4 km.
Another 4 km past the turnoff to Toft, you have the option of a 5 km round-trip detour to Yttertorget. If you choose this, just follow Torgvikranveien, which leads you to a great viewpoint offering a panorama of the outer archipelago. Reward yourself to a nice break on the surf-polished rock slopes or in one of the beautiful sheltered coves nearby.
However, the main road continues towards Innertorget and the foot of Torghatten. Follow Torgveien road from the intersection to the parking lot. From the trailhead on your right there is a well-marked trail up to Torghatten’s famous hole, which you can walk through!
Return trip
There is really only one main road, so cycle the same way back. You are, however, welcome to explore any of the numerous detours heading east and west – and they won’t take you far out of your way. If you’ve had enough cycling for the day, you can grab your bike and hop on the bus back to Brønnøysund’s town centre.
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.
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