Sandset – Hiking in Skjellfjord

Sandset is a small settlement at the outer end of Skjellfjord. The destination’s character is shaped by its location on the fjord and by hikes that start in Sandset or run through the surrounding area. The Orreleik Course and Conference Centre is located in the village. If you are interested in courses, conferences, or holiday rentals, you can contact the centre.

Getting there and finding your way

A local scheduled boat reaches Sandset through the skerries of Øksnes Vestbygd. Along the way, it stops at, among other places, Breistrand, Barkestad, and Tinden. Check current departures before travelling. The bus route Sortland–Kjerringvik–Sandset is listed as route number 18-845; you can check specific journeys in the journey planner. County Road Fv. 7680 also connects Skjelsfjord with Sandset kai. Boat, bus, and road offer different reference points for getting there: when planning your journey, pay attention to the relevant start and end points and the corresponding departure information.

Hike from Sandset to Steinheia

A route report dated 13 July 2020 describes a good hiking trail that runs from Sandset through the valley to Sandsetvatnet and onwards towards Steinheia. The hike from Sandset to Steinheia is listed as 5.2 kilometres, with 629 metres of elevation gain and a duration of 1 hour and 41 minutes; the figures may vary depending on the exact route. Steinheia is 627 metres high. This elevation refers to the summit, while the 629 metres of elevation gain refers to the recorded ascent on the hike. The hike offers views of Dyrøya, Børøyfjorden, and Romsetfjorden.

The route description thus connects a specific starting point in Sandset with a mountain destination and views of fjords and islands. Both the stated duration and the elevation gain are useful for planning: they describe different aspects of the tour and should not be confused. When choosing the hike, you can weigh these figures against your own timeframe; the report also notes that the exact route can affect the figures.

More hikes in the wider destination of Øksnes

The marked Dronningruta between the historic fishing villages of Nyksund and Stø in Øksnes municipality is a different proposition. It is a circular hike of about 15 kilometres, with an estimated duration of around five to eight hours. This makes it easy to distinguish its time requirement from that of the shorter hike described from Sandset to Steinheia. Dronningruta passes through mountains, coastal terrain, marshland, beaches, and rocky ground. There is no access to drinking water along the trail. Hikers should therefore bring enough drinks and, if possible, a packed lunch.

Nearby Øksnes Vestbygd is also known as a paddling area. In the wider destination of Øksnes, the municipality encompasses 220 islands, islets, and skerries; there are seven nature reserves in total. Anda Nature Reserve lies at the northern end of Langøya, is part of the Ramsar site, and is home to one of the largest puffin colonies in Nordland. Landing on Anda is prohibited from 15 April to 31 July to protect nesting seabirds. Check the applicable regulations if you are planning to land there.

Coastal villages and other experiences in Øksnes

In the nearby island and skerry landscape of Øksnes Vestbygd is the listed trading post of Tinden. Check access separately before planning a visit. Skipnes is a fishing village in the same area; Finvåg was a school and church location. In Nyksund, visitors can enjoy concerts and meditative tours, as well as visit art galleries. Some locations and events are seasonal or available on request.

Another seasonal option in the wider destination of Øksnes is the Stø Whale & Arctic Wildlife Safari. It departs from Stø in Vesterålen and searches for whales, puffins, seabirds, seals, and other marine animals. The safari runs from June to August and is dependent on the weather, sea conditions, and availability. Check current dates and availability before planning. These places and activities complement Øksnes’s hiking and coastal landscape, but are destinations in their own right within the wider destination.

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

Back to the wider travel overview: Øksnes.