Fiskå: Ridge Trails, Views and Maritime History

Fiskå combines trails with scenic views, a distinctive valley landscape and traces of its history as a coastal and trading village. This offers different themes to choose from as you plan your trip: a quick climb on an exercise trail, a panoramic view from the mountain ridge, or evidence of historic life by the water. You can decide whether to focus your stay mainly on the landscape or the history of the village.

Landscape and Views Around Fiskå

The landscape around Fiskå is shaped by U-shaped valleys carved by valley glaciers during the ice ages. The valley sides are steep; higher up, they transition largely into flatter mountain areas. Around Fiskå, these flatter areas begin at elevations of between 400 and 600 metres above sea level. The contrast between the steep valley slopes and the gentler terrain at higher elevations defines the landscape.

Several viewpoints offer different perspectives. At the summit of Nupen, a table offers lovely views of Fiskå, Syltefjord and Slagnes, as well as towards Stadtland. From the area around Vassverket, the waterworks, there are views of Fiskå and across to Slagnes. Utsikta is a ridge trail above Fiskå; from there, panoramic views extend across Fiskå and the surrounding areas. While the description of Nupen names specific sights, Utsikta is all about the panorama from the ridge.

Trails and Exercise

A route description updated on 16 May 2022 characterises the Nupen–Fiskå trail as an accessible and well-used exercise path. It climbs quickly: the route follows a steep gravel road and a short stretch of natural trail. Both the surface and the elevation gain are therefore part of the trail's described character. There are also other hiking options in the mountains from Nupen.

There is good parking for the “Bygda Rundt – Fiskå” trail at the youth centre in Fiskå. The trails described have different focuses: for Nupen–Fiskå, the gradient and surface are described; for Utsikta, the focus is on its position on the ridge and its panoramic views. This gives you practical information when planning your trip, whether you would rather focus on a described exercise trail or a viewpoint.

Coastal History and Historic Traces

Since ancient times, Fiskå has been an important trading post and a central transport hub in Vanylven. At Håmannsberget, a stone landing pier extends into the sea in the historic waterfront area. It is known locally as “bryggjå” and served as a landing place and shelter for small boats. It was last extended in 1928/29 and has retained the same form ever since. Well-preserved boathouses at the historic waterfront settlement are documented up to the first land division in 1744.

The “Fisken” sculpture also refers to the area's earlier settlement. It stands in the middle of the former stopping place and symbolises this history. The pier and boathouses offer glimpses into the waterfront settlement's maritime past; the sculpture adds its own artistic reference.

Archaeological finds add to the picture of a long history of settlement. During excavations on Fiskåholmen, a woman's grave dating from the Migration Period was discovered in the course of industrialisation around 1970. It is dated to approximately 500 to 600 AD. Excavations in Fiskåosen uncovered postholes from a longhouse, estimated to be around 2,000 to 2,300 years old.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Sylte, Rovde, Eide, Åram, Myklebost, Åheim.

Go to the main travel overview: Vanylven.