Radøy: Heathland, Hiking Destinations and Culture

Between heathland, valleys and narrow sounds

In the north of Radøy, long valleys and narrow sounds run parallel northwest towards the sea. Elongated lakes or small streams lie in the depressions, their water flowing slowly. These landforms give the landscape a clear direction: valleys and waterways lead from the island’s interior to the coast.

Several thousand years ago, forest was transformed through slash-and-burn farming and clearing into an open landscape shaped by people. Heathland and grassy meadows define this scenery, and heather later spread across it. From Nøttveitveten, the striking transition between Radøy’s low coastal plain in the northwest and the hills farther east is visible.

Hikes with different summit destinations

The marked trail to Kvistefjellet starts at Kvistevegen and leads to the summit at 209 metres. This makes Kvistefjellet the second-highest mountain on Radøy. From the top, the view extends across large parts of the island and neighbouring municipalities, including towards Masfjordfjella, Gulen, Fedjeosen, Øygarden, Sotra, Byfjella and Gullfjellet.

Another hike passes through Radøy’s former Millennium site to Nøttveitveten at 205 metres and Morkefjellet at 217 metres. Morkefjellet is the municipality’s highest mountain. The Kvistefjellet trail leads to one summit; the other hike includes two elevations along its route. The hikes can therefore be distinguished by their destinations, without assuming a walking time or difficulty level.

A cairn stands at the summit of Nøttveitveten. Just below it is a shelter with seating. The high point is thus not only part of the hike but also a clear landmark along the way.

Water and activities at Byngja

Radøy’s natural landscape is also reflected in its waters: its coastal waters include lakes rich in fish, and sea trout migrate upstream in some rivers. At Byngja, you can swim in fresh and sea water, fish in the sea and go kayaking. The options therefore range from activities on the water to the hikes described in the island’s interior.

Byngja has a large car park with space for 23 cars, toilets, tables and benches. A footpath about 1.2 metres wide also leads from the car park. This makes it easy to orient yourself on site and combine your visit with one of the activities available there.

The Sjøbua day-trip cabin at Byngja can be reached by kayak, boat or on foot. The footpath from the car park is just under a kilometre long: it first follows a gravel path to the bathing area, then continues along an accessible wooden boardwalk to the cabin. Check local conditions before setting out. Sjøbua has a small wood-burning stove, a library with children’s books in Nynorsk, and benches indoors and outdoors. Overnight stays in the cabin are not allowed.

Buildings and traces in the landscape

Vestnorsk utvandringssenter is an open-air museum on Radøy. Its buildings were built by Norwegian Americans in the United States and relocated to Norway. The site brings together buildings from the United States and a museum experience on the island.

At Vågenes, the stone walls are made of rounded stones cleared from the large moraine that crosses Radøy. They show how material from the landscape reappears in a structure built by people. Alongside peaks, water and hiking trails, the museum and stone walls offer a distinctive way to explore Radøy’s history and human-shaped landscape.

Discover more destinations: Bøvågen, Sæbøvågen, Manger, Granvin, Eidfjord, Odda, Fusa and Jondal.

Go to the main travel overview: Hordaland.