Gjerdsvika: Beach, Hiking Trails and Paddling

This can help you decide whether you would rather spend time by the water, explore the landscape on foot or head out to sea. The activities also differ in what you can see along the way and which conditions you should take into account.

Beach and coastal landscape

Sandangerstranda lies at the innermost end of Gjerdsvika Bay. It is a clear reference point if you would like to include a beach visit in your plans. There is a separate circular route for paddling on the water: Gjerdsvika–Hidsneset–Gjerdsvika can be done by kayak or canoe. The beach is easily accessible from the car park. After passing the breakwater, the route leads out to the open sea. So check sea conditions before setting off.

Hiking with varied views

The hike to Fjellsenden offers views of the sea and the mountains on Gurskøya. For the drive to the trail, the car park is at the Fredtun community hall, about 300 metres north of Coop Marked. The route to Klovevatnet offers different perspectives: it first follows a farm road and then a marked or clearly visible path. Along the way, the view stretches over the village and the sea to Herøy, Vanylven and the Sunnmørsalpane.

Gjøna also starts in Gjerdsvika, but is a different option: a marked circular hiking trail. When planning, take the steep descent into account: it can be slippery in wet weather. Compared with the views described at Fjellsenden and Klovevatnet, the condition of the trail is an additional important consideration here. These different features can help you choose hikes that suit your interests without treating the trails as alike.

Paddling, culture and local cuisine

A key part of the paddling route is the changing waterscape: beyond the breakwater, it leads out of the bay and into the open sea. The easy access to the beach from the car park is a practical guide for getting started; you should still check sea conditions before setting off. This helps you keep both access to the water and the route ahead in mind.

“Maritime dagar” in Gjerdsvika is known throughout the district. If the event is relevant to your trip, check whether a date has been announced for your chosen travel period. The cuisine is also seasonal: residents of Gjerdsvika serve Boknasild and cod dishes in the winter and spring seasons. Keep this period in mind if you would like to include local cuisine in your travel plans.

Landscape in the wider destination of Sande

The wider destination of Sande includes Grøntua and Hornet, two peaks north of Sandshamn. They offer views of outer Sunnmøre and the ocean. The hiking trail to these peaks is accessible from Sandshamn and Våge and is well marked throughout. Also in Sande, a direction marker on the 556-metre-high summit of Hidsegga shows the names of nearby peaks. From the summit, the view extends towards Herøy and the Flåvær island group.

Discover more destinations: Hakallestranda, Gursken, Sørbrandal, Larsnes, Sandshamn, Gurskøy, Våge, Bringsinghaug.

Back to the wider travel overview: Sande.