Discover Langevåg: Lakeside and industrial history

Langevåg combines experiences at Vassetvatnet with the industrial history surrounding Devoldfabrikken. You can discover the town through two distinct themes: trails and leisure activities along the lakeshore, or historic facilities and attractions at the factory. Which side you focus on during your stay depends on what you would like to do.

Trail and leisure activities at Vassetvatnet

The trail around Vassetvatnet starts at the Langevåg Idrettslag stadium and goes around the lake. There is a large car park at the stadium and a smaller one at Vassetvegen. The paved trail is also suitable for cycling. Cyclists are asked to give way to pedestrians and horse riders.

At Jentavika on Vassetvatnet, there is a developed bathing beach and a toilet. Canoes, kayaks and SUP boards can be borrowed free of charge from the clubhouse of Sula Jeger og Fiskeforening by the lake. Check the current borrowing terms in advance. This gives you a range of options at Vassetvatnet: a walk or cycle around the lake, a swimming break, or borrowing equipment for activities on the water.

If you are planning a hike instead of walking the trail, you can set out for Blåfjellet from the Langevåg Idrettslag facilities at Vassetvatnet. The hike is possible year-round, including on skis in winter. Another starting point is at the end of Sandviksvegen, where the hike to Kalvestad begins. Nearby Langevåg, Kalvestad is an abandoned farm and a stop on the cultural trail through the Kjellingset–Flesje–Kalvestad cultural landscape. From Langevåg, you can also hike along the shore towards Sandvika and beyond; check trail conditions locally.

Devoldfabrikken: factory history and attractions

The historic Devoldfabrikken is located by the fjord in Langevåg. Its offerings include shops, a museum, activities and dining. The Devold Textile Museum tells the story of Norway’s oldest knitwear manufacturer, founded in 1853. Production at Devoldfabrikken also began in 1853.

The energy supply is also part of the factory site’s history. Devoldfabrikken’s own power station was among the very first power stations in Norway; the factory received the first electric light in Sunnmøre. Water was carried through an open channel from Vassetvatnet to an intake basin east of the factory, Devolddammen. This connection makes the link between the lake and industrial history especially clear.

At Devoldfabrikken, Kraftverket Aktivitetspark offers more than 800 m² of obstacle courses, slides, a bouldering wall and climbing frames for children, teenagers and adults. Another kind of attraction is Devoldbanen: it covers 1,000 m² and features miniature landscapes from Norway, Switzerland, Denmark and America, as well as fantasy landscapes. The model railway is presented as Norway’s largest. Guided tours of Devoldbanen are offered to clubs, schools and groups in connection with Christmas parties, conferences and team-building activities.

The D/S Thorolf is part of the maritime heritage. Its home port is at Devoldfabrikken in Langevåg. Built in 1910–1911, the ship is Scandinavia’s oldest preserved wooden steamship and is protected by the Directorate for Cultural Heritage (Riksantikvaren).

Plan your journey and choose your focus

A passenger boat trip between Ålesund and Langevåg takes about seven minutes. A fast boat journey to Langevåg passes through islands and skerries. The Sularuta public transport route also runs to the centre of Langevåg; check the current timetable before travelling. This lets you plan around the activities you have in mind: the trail, lakeshore and hikes offer a different focus from the history and attractions of Devoldfabrikken.

Discover more destinations: Eidsnes, Fiskarstranda, Sula, Mauseidvåg.

Return to the main travel overview: Sula.