Torghatten i ved kystbyen Brønnøysund Kristoffer Møllevik / Visit Helgeland

Torghatten is renowned as the mountain with a hole through it. Inside this natural tunnel, which is up to 35 metres high, it feels like you are standing in the rough-hewn interior of a vast cathedral!

A walk through Torghatten

Key info

Degree of difficulty: Easy. This is a short walk to the hole in the mountain, but there is some challenging terrain. Good boots are recommended.

Ascent one way: approx. 100 metres

Duration one way: 20–40 minutes

Wheelchair and pram friendly: No.

Starting point: Parking lot at the foot of the mountain, about 14 km from Brønnøysund town centre. Find it with Google Maps

Statens Kartverk / Norgeskart.no

NOTE: Due to construction work around Torghatten, parking options there will be reduced until 20 April. You can find updated information here.

Description of your hike

You might feel very humble as you walk through the natural tunnel in Torghatten. The hole is 160 m long, 15–20 m wide and up to 35 m high. This tunnel was carved by ice and water thousands of years ago, probably during the last ice age. The most common route up to the hole is the up from the parking lot to the east of the mountain. This path is well-marked with stone steps most of the way, the oldest steps dating from 1870. At a leisurely pace, the walk up takes 30–40 minutes.

From inside the Torghatten hole, you can glimpse the islands and islets on the other side, and as you emerge this view expands into a stunning panorama. There is a somewhat steep wooden staircase where you may want to hold your youngest children by the hand.

Although it is possible to descend from the western end of the hole, this trail is not a prepared trail and hence is suitable only for adults and large children with good boots. Also, after you have descended on the western side, you have a longer walk back to the parking lot. For most people, we recommend returning the same way you came.

Find the starting point in Google Maps

If you want to explore more, you can take the long but easier circuit trail around Torghatten, or take the trail up to the summit.

The Torghatten summit hike

Key info

Degree of difficulty: Demanding. The hike to the top is a short but demanding, a steep climb and some sections where you are quite exposed.

Distance one way: 1.5 km

Ascent one way: 250 m

Duration one way: 50–90 minutes

Wheelchair and pram friendly: No.

Starting point: The same parking lot at the foot of the mountain, about 14 km from Brønnøysund town centre. Find it with Google Maps.

Statens Kartverk / Norgeskart.no

Download a map for printing

Description of your hike

The summit hike starts gently from the shore at the foot of the mountain, with the trail going up its eastern face. As you ascend higher, more and more of the surrounding coastal landscape is revealed. On the final steep climb, hikers are quite exposed, but if you tread carefully and are not overcome by vertigo, you will be rewarded with a stunning panorama from the summit.

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