Tustna – Hiking Trails, Churches and Coastal Culture

The island brings together mountain destinations such as Skarven and Knubben with churches, coastal culture and historic sites. This lets you shape your stay around specific themes.

Hiking and Scenery on Tustna

At 896 m, Skarven is the highest point on Tustna. A Morotur route description, updated on 14 October 2024, lists a marked trail from Gullstein to the summit. The ridge hike across the Tustnafjella starts at Barskaret or Veiset. Check the local parking conditions at the trailheads before setting out.

Gullsteinvollen is at the end of Gullsteinsdalen, is a mountain hut, and is part of the Fjordruta trail network. From the hut, views extend west over the sea and Smøla. The ridge towards Jørgenvågsalen also offers views to the west, this time of Kristiansund; at the same time, Gullsteinsdalen drops steeply to the east. The hikes to Jørgenvågsalen and Jurtinden are accessed via the RV680 and Gullsteinsdalen. The car park is at Gullsteinvollen. Local parking conditions may change, so check them before your hike.

In the river below Gullsteinvollen, there is a swimming spot where you can swim and wash after your hike. Conditions may vary by season. Knubben offers a different connection to the coast: this 680 m-high viewpoint is right by the sea on Tustna’s west side. A marked trail to the viewpoint starts at the car park. The Morotur route description was updated on 12 February 2019; as trail markings may change, check the current route before setting out.

Churches, Boatbuilding Tradition and History

Gullstein Church in Gullstein on Tustna, in Aure municipality, is a long church built in 1869. It was designed by architect Christian Christie and is partly in the stave church style. Its furnishings include a church ship donated by Johannes Berget in 1969.

The Kråksundet Sjøbruksmuseum on Tustna displays collections of equipment and objects relating to coastal culture and the Geitbåten. This is a practical boat that is easy to row and also sails close to the wind. The collection therefore focuses on both coastal culture and a distinctive type of boat.

Other historic sites offer different points of interest: Solskjel is a battlefield where Harald Hårfagre fought two major battles. Near Tømmervåg on Tustna is Bjønnhammaren, a Stone Age settlement site. Together with Gullstein Church and the Sjøbruksmuseum, these places offer different points of interest for a trip that takes in history and coastal life as well as hiking.

Accommodation and Local Experiences

Tustna Ladestasjon offers nature-based accommodation and experiences on the island. It offers local food, craft-brewed drinks and goods made in-house. Operating details and offerings may change; check them before booking or visiting.

Cultural and Historical Context in the Wider Destination of Aure

The wider destination of Aure also has its own cultural and historical attractions. Aure Church dates from 1924 and is the largest wooden church in Møre og Romsdal county; its altarpiece is dated to 1460. Dromnes has significant finds from settlements of the Fosna culture dating back about 10,000 years. These regional themes add context to Tustna without being attractions on the island itself.

Discover more destinations: Aure, Vihals, Våg, Lesund, Foldfjorden, Mjosundet, Kjørsvikbugen, Hals.

Go to the wider travel overview: Aure.