Foldrøyhamn: Trading History, Rock Art and Trails

For a stay in Foldrøyhamn, there are several specific areas of interest to explore: its trading history, archaeological traces in the rock, marked trails and places by the water. If you choose your accommodation based on your planned activities, these themes can help you decide whether to focus on local history, a trail to the summit or the bathing spot.

Trade and Herring Fishing

Folderøyhamn was a former trading post with an inn. In the 1860s, a saltery was established there to process the plentiful herring catches. Parts of the old business in Folderøyhamn still have interior fittings dating from the early 20th century. The historical story therefore spans trade and herring processing, as well as preserved details from a later period.

Archaeological and Maritime Traces

Ostrabakkjen is an archaeological rock shelter just inland from Folderøyhamn, at the outlet of Foldrøyvatnet on Bømlo; it lies 6.5 metres above sea level. Excavations there identified two main layers. The older one dates from the Late Neolithic or Bronze Age, and the younger one from the Early Iron Age.

At Høgestølen near Folderøyhamn, a compass rose is carved into the rock: a circle with arrows. It is estimated to date from between 1450 and 1550. The site offers a good view over the shipping route towards Bergen. During the heyday of sailing ships, from 1535 to 1850, ships moored between Folderøyholmen and Fyrklubben. Mooring rings with coloured markings are still preserved in the rocks there. The compass rose is a carved symbol; the rings are surviving traces of ships being moored.

Trails and Places by the Water

The trail to Skotåsen starts at a car park by the old cemetery in Foldrøy. A marked route follows a gravel track to the summit, where there is a bench. At Foldrøyvatnet, there is a popular bathing spot with a jetty, sandy beach and two diving platforms. A gravel track leads from the car park to the bathing spot. This lets you choose between a marked route to the summit and a destination by the water with named facilities.

Memorial and Local Interests

The memorial to Ole Bertin Pettersen is at the old cemetery in Foldrøy. Its inscription records that he was shot by German soldiers on 11 September 1942 and identifies him as a son of the Romanifolket.

There is a playground with a shelter on Gjerdsåsvegen in Foldrøy. Two pétanque courts are located in the schoolyard of Foldrøy School; there is also a dedicated pétanque club in Foldrøy. If you plan to use the courts, it is advisable to check access and available facilities in advance, as both may change. Foldrøy is also home to Kari Berger’s ceramics workshop and gallery. In the wider area around Foldrøyhamn, outside Folderøyhamn, there are good fishing spots along Stokksundet.

Discover more destinations: Finnås, Lykling, Brandasund, Bomlo, Langevåg, Urangsvåg, Mosterhamn, Bremnes.

Back to the main travel overview: Bømlo.