Klo: Hiking the Kyststien and traces of the past

In Klo, the Kyststien trail between Langenes and Klo, archaeological traces from different periods, and the Klovassdraget water system take centre stage. When planning a hike, it is worth distinguishing the 4.2 km Kyststien from a circular route through Klodalen, which can take up to ten hours. The Dronningruta also offers different route options, including an unmarked turn-off to Klo.

Hiking the Kyststien

The Kyststien runs from Langenes Church to Steinvatnet near Klo and is 4.2 km long between Langenes and Klo. It is considered easy and suitable for most people; a few small rocky outcrops do not make the trail more difficult. Parts of the Kyststien follow the old route between the villages. The hike therefore also includes a section that follows this former connection.

An older visitor guide also describes the Kyststien as accessible in winter, since snow rarely settles near the sea; conditions can vary. There are good chances of spotting white-tailed eagles, otters and common seabirds along the trail. If you are particularly interested in wildlife watching, this is another factor to consider when choosing your hike.

Cultural traces and waterways

A small longhouse in Klo has a mill layer dated to around the time of Christ. The cultural landscape of Gisløya, Strengelvåg and Klo features a great variety of traces dating from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages, including an intact farmstead. The historical perspective therefore extends from an archaeological example in Klo to a cultural landscape encompassing several named places.

The Klovassdraget includes three large lakes: Storvatnet, Mellomvatnet and Klotindsvatnet. Hammervannet and Åstjønna are two smaller lakes in the system. Kloelva extends from Klostraumen to the sea. Together, these names give a concrete picture of the waterways that, alongside hiking and cultural history, are among the local highlights.

Routes and directions

The Dronningruta has an unmarked turn-off through Klodalen to Klo. A circular route through Klodalen can take up to 10 hours. Take this time estimate into account if you are planning this particular circular route, and note that the turn-off is unmarked.

The road route is also precisely defined: Fv. 7678 runs along a 1.453 km section from the junction north of Klo with Fv. 7668 to Klo.

Øksnes as a wider travel destination

The municipality of Øksnes consists of 220 islands, islets and skerries. Anda Nature Reserve is in the municipality of Øksnes in Nordland, at the northern end of Langøya, and is a Ramsar site. Anda is home to one of the largest colonies of puffins in Nordland. To protect nesting seabirds, landing on Anda is prohibited from 15 April to 31 July; check the current rules before planning to land there.

As part of the wider Øksnes destination, the Dronningruta is a marked hiking trail between the historic fishing villages of Nyksund and Stø. The circular route is about 15 km long and takes 5 to 8 hours. These details refer to the Dronningruta; the circular route through Klodalen to Klo, which can take up to 10 hours, is a different route option. There is no access to drinking water along the Dronningruta. Hikers should bring enough drinks and, if possible, a packed lunch. The route passes through varied landscapes of mountains, shoreline, marshland, beach and rocky terrain.

Discover more destinations: Alsvåg, Stø, Sandset, Øksnes, Myre, Sørvågen

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