A hiking adventure: The Marble Castle (Marmorslottet)
Kristoffer Møllevik / Visit HelgelandExperience a fairytale landscape of carved marble near the town of Mo i Rana. The amazing natural marble formations know as Marmorslottet – “the marble castle”, has taken the river thousands of years to carve out. So please tread carefully and help us conserve this natural wonder.
Also note that the trail has steep, challenging sections that can be difficult to get by when the terrain is wet.
Key info
Degree of difficulty: Difficult
Distance one way: 1.2 km.
Ascent one way: 50 m
Duration one way: 20–40 minutes
Wheelchair and pram friendly: No.
Starting point: Parking at the end of a gravel road. See it in Google Maps.
Special considerations:
- To reduce wear and tear at this site, please remove your shoes before venturing out onto the marble formations. This will help preserve this natural wonder for future generations.
- The road to Marmorslottet is narrow, and in some places it passes close to houses and farmyards. Please drive slowly and considerately.
- Once you leave the parking lot, there are no more signposts for Marmorslottet. Follow the map as you walk, and be sure to turn left at the trail fork.
- Please note that the area is unsecured and that the river current is strong. If you are walking with children or pets, be especially attentive and keep them safe!
- Drones are prohibited throughout this area.
Statens Kartverk / Norgeskart.no
The amazing marble formations of Marmorslottet took thousands of years to create. Over the years, the river gradually washed away the softer limestone and then far more slowly carved potholes, giant’s cauldrons, caves and other strange sculptural forms in the underlying harder marble. As a result Marmorslottet (“the Marble Castle”) is a very special place to visit. With your own eyes you can sense how water and ice, sometimes using sand or gravel as an abrasive, shaped the hard marble a fraction of a millimetre at a time.
Bengt Christoffer Pettersen
Kristoffer Møllevik / Visit Helgeland
Kristoffer Møllevik / Visit Helgeland
Take off your shoes when you enter, and take the rubbish with you when you leave
To avoid causing any abrasion, scratches or other damage to these beautiful formations, kindly remove your shoes before venturing out onto the marble. After all, you shouldn’t wear boots that might have sand or pebbles embedded in their soles before treading on a friend’s valuable wooden floor. Don’t do it here either – after all, Marmorslottet really is “a Marble Castle”!
Kristoffer Møllevik / Visit Helgeland
Actually, walking barefoot or in socks enriches your tactile experience! With each step you can feel the marvellous formations that ice, sand and water took thousands of years to create.
In fact, strive to leave absolutely no trace of your visit. Please take all your rubbish with you, and pick up any that you find – plan ahead and bring a bag for this. Do not build any fires in this area. Also, there are no toilets here, so take care of your bodily needs before you leave Mo i Rana.
Thank you for helping us preserve this natural treasure for future generations!
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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