Solund Top 10

Solund is the most western place in Norway with about 1700 islands, islet, and reefs which makes it a unique place. It´s a popular place for the boat tourist but also for those that like nature experience. Solund is only to hours away from Bergen, and if you are wondering what you can do whilst you are here then here is a top 10 list. 

 

1.   Kayak 

Solund is a wonderful place for paddling, with its unique and untouched nature and it´s thousands of islands, islet and reefs you get some of Norway’s best paddling experience. When you are out paddling you will experience unique geology and nice calm sea. And if you get lucky maybe you will get to see the sea eagle. You can go on guided trips or even take a course with Sognefjord Active. https://www.kystkulturakademiet.no/kayaking/kayaking-in-solund/

 

Foto: Magnus  Roaldset Furset 

2.   Lighthouse safari to Utvær

Utvær is the most western point in Norway. This island is both historic and the nature is unique with the ocean around it. When visiting you can go up in the lighthouse and enjoy the view. After you have enjoyed the view, you can take a walk around the Island. Maybe you will see some leftovers for a chapel that was moved in 1718, or some markings form where they grinded the swords. The lighthouse is 31 meters above the ground and the light is sent 45 meters above the sea. The light from the lighthouse reaches 35km out in the northern sea, as it did for many decades. It was the first sign of land for the boats that came. Vidar Hop Skyssbåter AS offer guided tours every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 18. June - 13. August. Read more here:  https://www.fjordnorway.com/en/see-and-do/lighthouse-safari-to-utvaer 

Foto: Vegard vike Engum

 

 

3.   Island jumping with the local postboat

The local postboat goes around to the islands in Solund and then Bulandet and Værlandet. You can enjoy the most beautiful islands in Norway and get even closer to the spectacular landscape. The local postboat connects the island community together with bringing the mail and transporting the permanent residence from island to island. The last stop on the original post rout is Gåsvær, here you have the chance to get out of the boat and walk around. You may get to meet the locals and have a chat about the place and learn mora about it. In the summertime the boat goes to Bulandet, and there you can explore the islands. And later the boat will return to Hardbakke, where it started. It´s a spectacular boat ride that you will remember. Read more here: https://www.fjordnorway.com/en/see-and-do/island-hopping-by-the-postal-boat-solund---bulandet-vaerlandet

Foto: Sara Marie Ytreøy

 

 4.    Island hopping to northern solund

In north Solund there is also a mail boat that goes to different islands. This boat takes off from Hersvik, it is a small place a bit of the main road. The boat will take you to 7 different islands. When you arrive at Buskøy you will get  a guided tour and afterwords some time to look around and read about the history of the island. And then it will take you back to Hersvik. The boat only goes on Thursdays and Sundays. The boat tours starts on 20th of June to 15th off August. If you want to do it on another day then you must take the boat after the timetable. You must call +47 958 49 972, and tis you must do before 17.00 on Fridays. Read more here: island-hopping-to-northern-solund

5.   Cycling

Solund is an absolute spectacular place for cycling, you can take it on the island jumping or you can go along the road. There are many places you can go. You can go to Daløy and take the ferry to Haldorsneset. Then you can go to the summer open café in Hjønnevåg, and on your way back you can go to Ytrøy and explore the beautiful nature. If you don’t want that long of a trip you can go to Liasundet, which is towards Avløyp. There you have the idyllic sunset bench, where you can see the sun go in the ocean. This is only to of many options. There is also a bicycle rental at the tourist information at the centre In Hardbakke. Read more about cycling opportunities in Solund here: https://www.fjordnorway.com/en/inspiration/cycling-in-solund

 

 

6.   Mountain Hikes

In Solund there are many different hikes, you have Ramnenipa, which is easily accessible from Hardbakke. The mountain is 232 meters over the ocean. The view is spectacular, you can see most of Hardbakke and all the way to Utvær. You can book a guided trip as well. The hike is an easy one, and it will take about 1-2 hours. Then we have Pollatinden, which is the second tallest mountain in Solund, with its 541 meter over the ocean. Here you also see the islands surrounding Solund. If you get lucky you may see Alden. Pollatinden is a 15 min car drive from Hardbakke.  The hike itself will take around 2-3 hours. If you want to go for a smaller hike, then Uranipa is the one for you. It is only 133 meters over the ocean and takes up to 1 hour to walk. It is about a 30 min drive from Hardbakke to where the start is. If you want to get of the “main” island you can go to Sperrefjellet, it is a short hike as well. It only takes around 1 hour, and it is 148 meters over the ocean. All these hikes are very nice and has a good view of the ocean.  On the picture below you can see the different hikes an boat trips you can take.  The trips that are talked about here are 1, 3, 6 and 7. You can also go on ut.no to find more information. 

 

 

7.   Nordsjøløype in Ytre Solund 

This is a hike where you walk in untouched nature close to the coast. Where you can hear the waves come in from the sea. You get a panoramic view in all the directions. You can see Alden and Kinnaklova in the north, and Utvær in the west. And not to forget the many kilometres with ocean. You can also see all kinds of animals, like deer and otter. If you look at the sky, you may also see the sea eagle. The hike is about 3km long and takes about 1 hour to walk.  The walk starts with Hjønnevåg.

 

8.     Fishing

Solund is surrounded by sea and fjords it´s a perfect place for fishing. And the best thing is that you can fish all year long. There are places that you can rent a boat or spend the night, or you can stand on a cliff close to the sea and see if you get anything. There are all sorts of fish, from cod to halibut. You will find the places to stay at on or website under accommodation. https://www.fjordnorway.com/en/eat-and-sleep/accommodation/cabin-holiday-homes?region=the-fjord-coast-and-sunnfjord

 

9.   Sognesjøhytta

This is a hike to a cottage that lays south from Hardbakke. You can go to the cottage and eat your lunch inside or you can enjoy the view from the outside. You can get to it by kayaking as well.  There is a wc close by the cabin. The hike is about 3km long and will take you about 1 hour to do. The trail is a bit wet, so we recommend good shoes. It is very peaceful to just sit there on a hot summer day and enjoy some food. This is also a trip that everybody can do.

 

 

10.        Frisbee golf and Wild sheep safari 

Here you can combine a sport with nature. This is a growing sport and in Solund there is one of the coolest ones. It is the same as golf only with a frisbee. And then you must hit some sort of net. There are 18 holes in this track, and you must walk a bit to collect them all. Whilst you are walking you may see some wild sheep that are waling around. The sheep walk freely around the kystaboret.