Snåsa: Culture, Limestone Landscapes and Cycling Routes

Saemien Sijte is a South Sámi museum and cultural centre in Snåsa. Together with the distinctive limestone landscape and the trails through the surrounding area, it shows the many ways to explore the place: from cultural points of interest to nature trails and cycling routes.

Landscape between lake and limestone

Lake Snåsavatnet is in the municipalities of Snåsa and Steinkjer and is four miles long. It is considered an excellent fishing lake; fish species include trout, Arctic char, eel, three-spined stickleback and burbot. Fishing permits are required. This means a trip to the lake can also prompt you to consider whether you would rather spend time on the water or in the landscape around Snåsa.

Bergsåsen is a distinctive limestone ridge in the centre of Snåsa. South of Lake Snåsavatnet, Finsåsmarka lies on a hill and covers 2,400 decares. Its limestone bedrock supports a variety of forest and limestone habitats, where plant species occur that are very rare in Trøndelag. The combination of geological features and plant life gives the landscape its own character.

Hiking trails and nature areas

In Finsåsmarka, nature and cultural trails pass several cultural heritage sites and cross different types of natural terrain. When comparing the trails, it is also important to note how their lengths are stated: Trail 1 is a 3.2 km loop, while Trail 2 is listed as 1.8 km each way. This gives you a circular route alongside a route whose distance is specified for each direction. Trail conditions may vary.

The Bergsåsen nature reserve begins near the centre. It has its own nature trail with information boards about the area's flora. Snåsa is also a gateway to Blåfjella–Skjækerfjella National Park. Large parts of the national park consist of low mountains and gentle terrain; many marked trails are suitable for family outings. The national park extends beyond Snåsa. This lets you distinguish between nature trails in the nearby area and the larger protected area without treating them as one and the same.

Cycling in Snåsa

Snåsa has seven marked and four unmarked cycling routes. One of them is the Snåsa sentrum–Kolven–Reinsjøen–Imsdalen–Breide–Snåsa route, which is about 45 km long. The cycling routes can take you to a fishing lake, to mountain farms or on a circular ride through the rural surroundings. The routes therefore differ both in whether they are marked and in where they take you. As route listings can change, it is advisable to check local maps before setting out.

Cultural sites and history

Snåsa Church is a cruciform church with room for about 550 people. Its oldest section, which today forms the chancel and sacristy, was built in the first half of the 13th century. The church's history of construction can therefore be seen in a specific part of the building, while its cruciform shape and size offer another impression of the structure.

The Bygdemuseet–Vonheim is in Viosen, near the centre of Snåsa, and contains objects from the area's culture and history. Viosen is at the end of Lake Snåsavatnet and is Snåsa's “old town”. The buildings at Sandmoen, also called Brorplassen, also tell the story of local architecture: they are considered representative of what was typical of a crofter's farm in Snåsa and the surrounding villages.

The 17 May Stone is on Lysthusberget by Vinje School in Snåsa and is considered Norway's oldest stone of its kind. A gravel path leads from the school to the stone, with information boards along the way. This makes it possible to combine a visit to the monument with a short walk and information on site.

A seasonal glimpse

There are 17 working mountain farms in Snåsa; this number can change. The first open to the public in early June, and the last do not close until late August. If you are planning a visit during this period, the seasonal opening dates are a useful guide for planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Snåsa, Namdalseid, Mosvik, Inderøy, Verdal, Stjørdal, Leksvik, Høylandet.

For the overview of the wider region: Nord-Trondelag.