Hike description: Kirkhelleren and Kjærlighetsstien
Marvin Kuhr / Visit HelgelandKjærlighetsstien follows a route around the island of Sanna in Træna, passing the well-known Kirkhelleren cave along the way. It is a lovely walk on a fine day, but visitors should remember to plan the trip around the express boat timetable.
Key info
Difficulty: Easy.
Distance: Around 1 km to Kirkhelleren, around 5 km for the full Kjærlighetsstien route
Elevation gain: Around 40 metres to Kirkhelleren, around 100 metres for the full Kjærlighetsstien route
Duration Around 20 minutes to Kirkhelleren, 1–2 hours for the full Kjærlighetsstien route
Season: April – october
Starting point: The walk starts at the express boat quay on Sanna. The island can be reached by express boat from Husøy or by private boat.
See the starting point in Google Maps
Special considerations:
The express boat only calls at Sanna on request and there are few departures each day, so visitors should plan the trip carefully. In late autumn and winter, a private boat is needed to visit the island during daylight hours.
There is a toilet at the express boat quay, but there are no shops or other facilities on the island.
Ut.no / Norgeskart
The red line shows the route around Sanna, while the green line shows the route to Kirkhelleren.
The island of Sanna in Træna lies just off the main island of Husøy and is home to the distinctive Træna mountains. Visitors can follow Kjærlighetsstien around the island for a longer walk, or take the shorter trip to the well-known Kirkhelleren cave.
Kirkhelleren lies along Kjærlighetsstien, around 20 minutes on foot from the express boat quay. This large, open cave is around 45 metres deep and 32 metres high. It was carved out by the sea before the land rose following the last Ice Age. Traces of human activity dating back 8,000–9,000 years have been found here, and today the cave is a regular concert venue during the Trænafestivalen.
From Kirkhelleren, the trail continues around the rest of the island and takes between one and two hours, depending on pace. On the western, seaward side of the island, there are wide views across the open sea. This side is more exposed to the weather, particularly when the wind is from the west.
After the walk, if there is time before the express boat leaves, visitors can relax on the island’s beaches on fine summer days. It is also possible to hike into the Træna mountains, following the old construction road up to Gompen.
1. Follow the Norwegian Mountain Code and plan according to your ability and equipment
Short hikes on easy terrain don’t require much. If you’re heading out for an hour or two in the lowlands and not gaining much elevation, you won’t need a lot of gear or be in top shape. If it gets cold or you get tired, you’re usually not far from your car.
But if you’re heading into more challenging terrain—steeper, rougher, and above the treeline where the weather is more unpredictable—you’ll need to be better prepared. You should plan the trip based on weather and conditions, be fit enough to complete it, and be ready for uneven ground, boulder fields, slippery roots, and stream crossings. That means carrying a heavier pack with extra clothes and gear, and wearing sturdy hiking boots that support your ankles.
If you’re unsure about taking on a demanding mountain hike, start with an easy or moderate one and see how it feels.
Learn more about the Norwegian Mountain Code at rodekors.no
See what you should bring on your hike on VisitNorway.com
2. Stick to marked trails
A shortcut through unfamiliar terrain can easily turn into a long and difficult detour. What looks like a trail might just be a sheep path that leads you somewhere completely unexpected. If you want the hike to be as easy or challenging—and as long or short—as planned, it’s best to follow marked trails.
If you’re heading off-trail, it’s smart to follow a GPS track. You can download a GPX file from a hike description and use it on a GPS device, a smartphone app, or a GPS watch.
UT.no and the UT app offer hike descriptions with GPS tracks. If your hike doesn’t have one, you can upload a track to ut.no/mine-turer and access it in the app. It’s free, but you’ll need to create an account.
Always carry a map and compass as backup.
UT app for Android / UT app for iPhone
3. Talk to locals or join a guided hike
Locals often have useful tips about your planned hike. They can tell you where to park, whether there’s phone coverage, if the trail is wet, if rivers are high, or suggest a better alternative. Talk to the people where you’re staying, at the local tourist office, or other hikers on the trail—you might get some truly valuable advice.
The best option is to hike with a guide. You can join a group tour or book a private guide. These are experienced locals who know the area well. They’ll help tailor the hike to your needs and share insights that add to the experience.
4. Look out for cultural landmarks
Even high up in the mountains, you’ll find traces of past human activity—some hundreds or even thousands of years old. These can include ancient trail markers, signal cairns, hunting fences, huts, and shepherd shelters. If you spot something interesting, check the KulturPunkt app to see what it is—or use the app to find a cultural site as your hiking goal.
KulturPunkt app for Android / KulturPunkt app for iPhone
KulturPunkt.org
5. Remember your responsibilities under the Right to Roam
Norway’s Right to Roam means you can hike, bike, pick berries, camp, fish, and ski almost anywhere in nature. But it also comes with responsibilities—what we call the “duties of the Right to Roam.” Leave no trace, respect wildlife, and know the rules for hunting, fishing, cycling, and access in protected areas like national parks and nature reserves.
Read more about the Right to Roam and your responsibilities at VisitNorway.com
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.
