With 4 175 steps, Helgelandstrappa is the world’s longest stone staircase. It stretches from the Vefsna River just outside the center of Mosjøen, all the way up to the summit of Øyfjellet, towering 818 meters above the fjord and the city below.

Key info

Degree of difficulty: Moderately demanding. The height between the steps may at first feel awkward, and the hike is relatively long.
Distance one way: 3 km
Ascent one way: 818 metres
Duration one way: 1–3 hours
Wheelchair and pram friendly: No.
Season: May – October
Starting point: Drive to the parking lot a bit past Mosjøen Trafikkstasjon. If you prefer, this is a short walk south from Mosjøen’s town centre. Find the starting point with Google Maps.

Turbeskrivelse Helgelands trappa i Mosjøen Statens Kartverk / Norgeskart.no

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Description of your hike

As you ascend Øyfjellet (818 m), you should voice a silent thanks to the Sherpas who came from Nepal and built these impressive mountain stairs. It counts 4 175 steps and is the world’s longest stone stairs and is ranked amongst the top five in Norway, with top stone quality. It’s easy to see why: only the best quality stone has been used, and each step is two metres wide, allowing up to three people to walk abreast.

The steps quickly climb the mountain, soon granting you a wonderful view over Mosjøen. Along the way are several prepared picnic areas where you can take a breather and enjoy the view. From the summit, which is marked by a cairn called Øyfjellvarden, you have a breathtaking 360-degree panorama. As you peer down, you can see the attractive coastal town of Mosjøen in its entirety.

Note: It is not recommended to go in the winter due to the risk of avalanches, we recommend going from May/June. The snow usually falls in October/November.

Find the starting point with Google Maps.

Next to the via ferrata and zipline

You may interrupt your ascent of the Helgeland Stairs and choose one of two adrenaline-inducing adventures, the Mosjøen Via Ferrata and the Mosjøen Zipline. Both require that you are not terrified of heights. The Via Ferrata entails rock-climbing, well-secured and with expert guidance, while on the zip-line you soar like a bird down from the mountain! A much more relaxed excursion is to take, from the foot of the Helgeland Stairs, the path to Marsøra, which includes an idyllic stroll along the Vefsna river.

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