Ellingsøy Between Fjords and Hiking Trails

Ellingsøya is a long, narrow island in the municipality of Ålesund in Møre og Romsdal. It stretches about 16 kilometers from east to west, between Ellingsøyfjord to the south and Grytafjord to the north. This orientation helps you locate the island’s hiking areas and coves.

Hiking with Different Highlights

The Gildrenes om Hoff hike passes a large fortification from World War II. Between the parking lot and Fjellsenden, a former prisoner-of-war camp site is also located on a marsh. The two historical points of reference are in different locations: the trail passes the fortification, while the camp site lies between the parking lot and Fjellsenden.

The route around Nesvatnet, also called Vatnet, can be completed year-round on foot, by bike, or on skis. Conditions vary in winter. In autumn, there are likely to be plenty of mushrooms and berries; the trail also passes numerous game trails, including fresh deer tracks. The route therefore offers different reasons to get outdoors depending on the season, and the ways to travel it are not limited to summer.

The hike from Kverve to Gildreneset offers a concrete guide for planning your time: the round trip is 3 kilometers long, has 20 meters of elevation gain, and takes an estimated 50 minutes. Conditions may vary. The trail to 143-meter-high Kverveaksla passes through easy woodland and heathland; there is a hiking box at the destination. On the Storkleiva route, the trail reaches a scenic ridge near Storkleiva, with views to the west and over Grytafjord. Torvløa is another worthwhile hiking destination in the area.

Views, Traces, and Swimming Spots

On the Rørene route, the view extends south over Ålesund and the Sunnmørsalpene, and west toward Hoffland and Runde. Near the demolished Grimstad gamle skole, you can see remnants of walls and a flagpole; walls along Ellingsøya’s former main road have also been preserved. At Rørene, Ellingsøy IL has installed a box containing a trail register where you can record your hike. Myklebusthornet offers panoramic views.

Around Kverve, the many small coves offer places to swim in summer; conditions depend on the weather. Another swimming spot is in Sandvika, along the Gildrenes om Hoff hike: swimming is possible there at high tide, depending on the tides and weather. Kverve and Sandvika therefore have different locations and conditions. If you want to combine hiking and swimming, make sure when planning that you know which spot you are heading to and what conditions apply there.

Getting There and Trailheads

A bridge and subsea road tunnels connect Ellingsøya via Highway 658 to central Ålesund and Valderøya. The Ellingsøy Tunnel lies between Ålesund and Ellingsøya and is part of Vigrasambandet. The Flybussen and buses from Ålesund to Ellingsøya and Valderøya stop in Kverve; from there, it is only a few dozen meters to a trailhead. Check the timetable before setting off. The Myklebusthorne og Sperrenakken fra Nes route starts at Nes Stadium on Ellingsøya. When planning your day, you can distinguish between traveling to a trailhead in Kverve and starting at Nes Stadium.

Discover more destinations: Ålesund

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