Cycling tour: Cultural exploration on the island Dønna
Kristoffer Møllevik / Visit Helgeland
This cultural tour takes you on a delightful journey across the island of Dønna, with enriching cultural and historical stops scattered like treasures along the way.
Key info
Difficulty Level:
Easy with an e-bike and/or spread across two days in good weather.
Moderate if done in one day without an e-bike and/or with headwinds.
Distance (one way): 45 km
Duration: 2 dager.
Stops:
The phallic stone and fertility exhibition at GleinDønnes gård og Dønnes farm and Dønnesfjellet
Sjokoladebrygga on Dønna
Nordvika Old Trading Post
Solfjellsjøen
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.
Tour description
This tour showcases much of the stunning island of Dønna and its coastal surroundings while introducing you to the island’s rich cultural and historical landmarks. Though designed as a cycling adventure, you can also reach all the stops by car if you prefer.
To fully enjoy the journey and its experiences, the tour is laid out over two days.
Day 1: From ancient phallics to coastal horizons
Your adventure begins as you step off the ferry from Sandnessjøen onto Bjørn, at the southern tip of Dønna. Stop by the local shop here to pick up some provisions if you haven’t already stocked up. The first leg takes you north along the sweeping Vågsvågjen Bay to Glein. This stretch takes about an hour, with a small climb at the start but mostly flat terrain.
At Glein, you’ll find the carved phallic symbol, a nearly 1-meter-tall marble monument from around 400 AD, marking the late Iron Age or Migration Period. Perched atop a burial mound from the same era, it’s a striking piece of history. Nearby, you’ll find more burial mounds and the Fertility Museum, both worth exploring.
Next, continue to Dønnes Farm, about a 30-minute ride over flat terrain along the coast. Enjoy beautiful views of neighboring islands Løkta and Tomma, and consider a break at the “While You Weight” art installation by Cildo Meireles at Snekkevika. This sculpture, part of the Nordland Sculpture Landscape, is near a well-preserved old schoolhouse and features a grill hut by the water – a perfect picnic spot in good weather.
Dønnes Farm dates back at least 800 years and was once the main seat of the Dønnes estate. Its well-preserved buildings and English garden are impressive, and it’s worth staying overnight here to soak in the ambiance.
Close by is Dønnes Church, a medieval church from the 1200s with Norway’s largest mausoleum. Guided tours are offered throughout the summer.
From here, head to Dønnesfjellet. Though modest at just 130 meters, it offers unbeatable views over the low-lying coastal landscape. In summer, it’s a particularly stunning spot to watch the sunset or midnight sun. Cycle up in 5–10 minutes or hike a trail from the south side, which takes about an hour.
Day 2: From Dønnes to Solfjellsjøen
On the second day, head southward towards Stavseng on the island’s west side. Here, don’t miss a stop at Sjokoladebrygga, where you can enjoy handmade chocolates paired with coffee on the pier. The ride from Dønnes Farm to Sjokoladebrygga takes about 30 minutes.
Continue to Nordvika Old Trading Post, about an hour’s ride away. Along the way, pass Stavseng’s local shop to restock your supplies. Nordvika is part of the Helgeland Museum network and one of Northern Norway’s oldest, best-preserved trading posts. Enjoy its summer exhibitions, a traditional store, and a cozy café.
From Nordvika, it’s just over five minutes by bike to Solfjellsjøen, where you can visit an exhibition about the Norwegian-American author Ole Edvart Rølvaag at Dønna Library. Rølvaag emigrated to the U.S. in the late 19th century, and the exhibition offers a fascinating glimpse into a time when life on Helgeland’s coast was tough, and the lure of the American Dream was strong.
Continue your journey
Consider spending a few more days on Dønna to explore its gems, such as the lovely Breivika Beach, hiking the iconic Dønnamannen, or kayaking through the surrounding archipelago. For an extended cycling tour, head to the neighboring islands of Herøy, connected to Dønna by bridges. When ready to return, take the same ferry from Bjørn back to Sandnessjøen.
