Harøy: Island Trails and Cultural Heritage

On Harøy, the church, named trails and the Harøya/Finnøya cycling route offer different points of reference for planning your trip. If you’re looking for a hotel in Harøy, you can start by considering whether cycling, the trail routes or the cultural heritage should be the focus of your stay. The following points of interest can help you distinguish between these themes.

Trails and Cycling Routes on Harøy

“Vindmøllestien” is part of a trail network about 1.5 metres wide, designed for bicycles and pushchairs. The trail runs from Brunsvollvegen in the north, across the moor towards turbines 1 and 2, and onwards to the car parks at Harøy Church. This makes it easy to identify the route and its points of reference without confusing it with other trails on Harøy.

Another named trail is “Bjerganstien”. It runs from Harøy Church over the summit of Bjergane towards Harøyburet. The two descriptions can therefore be distinguished by their points of reference: Vindmøllestien runs across the moor towards the turbines and onwards to the car parks at the church, while Bjerganstien runs over Bjergane towards Harøyburet.

The Harøya/Finnøya cycling route starts at the Myklebust ferry terminal. It is considered family-friendly and has few climbs, with an elevation difference of 35 metres. On the outer part of the route, after 2.5 kilometres, you can ride down to the small harbour at Røsokvika. The starting point, information about the climbs and the optional detour give you different points of reference for planning. The cycling route is part of “Øyriket i Romsdal”.

Church and Historic Sites

The church on Harøya was built in 1934. It is automatically protected and is of national importance. Its cemetery contains the Sæbjørnsen family burial plot and a memorial stone for church architect Fredrik Kavli, dating from 1910. The church, burial plot and memorial stone form a specific cultural heritage focus on Harøy; the dates refer to different historical contexts.

There is another historic point of reference near the Myklebust ferry terminal: about one kilometre away, a former 17th-century border between Norway and Sweden is marked. Benches are provided there. This site combines historical context with a practical point of reference for spending time outdoors.

Road Connections and Nature Reserves

Harøya is connected to the south via Nordøyvegen. The connection opened in 2022 and runs through a tunnel to Fjørtofta. Harøya also has a good road connection around the island, as well as a bridge to Finnøya. Check current road conditions when planning your journey.

Several important nature reserves lie on Harøya, along the beaches and inland. The relevant nature reserves on Harøya and Finnøya are internationally protected under the Ramsar Convention. Protected landscapes, along with the trails and historic sites, are therefore part of the character of the region. When choosing your destination, you can consider these highlights alongside the specific routes and the church.

Discover more destinations: Ona

For the main travel overview: Sandøy.