Gildeskål: Church Art, Coastal Paths and Island Views

Gildeskål combines impressive coastal landscapes with traces of church and wartime history. At Gildeskål kirkested, a medieval church and its Baroque interior meet a viewpoint overlooking the islands and shipping route. On Sandhornøy, the beach and distinctive rock formations invite other discoveries. Plan your trip around culture, coastal paths and far-reaching views.

Church Site, Exhibition and Viewpoint

Gildeskål kirkested includes a medieval church with one of Norway’s best-preserved Baroque interiors. The church hill offers magnificent views of the islands and shipping route. The site also includes Prestegårdsfjøset, home to an Elias Blix exhibition by the Nordland Museum. The church interior, views and exhibition make the church site a special destination for anyone interested in culture and history.

Buegammen and Thaihuset also offer distinct cultural perspectives. Both are open to everyone. Thaihuset was designed by Thai artists, while the traditional Sámi Buegammen was built under the guidance of a master of Sámi craftsmanship. At Oterstranda, the art project Den glømda staden adds to Gildeskål’s cultural attractions.

Coastal Fort and War Memorial

On Nordarnøy, the coastal fort was built in 1941–1942 as a strategically located German coastal artillery position. A marked coastal path leads there from two starting points: the end of the road at Arnøysundet or the end of the main road on Nordarnøy. The route combines the coastal landscape with a specific historical destination.

Ureddplassen is a rest area and war memorial on the Helgelandskysten National Tourist Route. A nine-metre-wide terrace offers views across the fjord; marble benches and a stepped amphitheatre lead down to the shoreline. This makes it different from a hiking route or beach walk: the memorial, views and landscaped places to sit shape the visit.

Sandhornøy: Beach and Rock Formations

Langsanden is a snow-white sandy beach on Sandhornøy. It is almost two kilometres long and 300 metres wide, making it suitable for a walk by the sea year-round. If you would rather see a striking rocky landscape than a long stretch of beach, the rock pillars of Finnesgjuran lie below Finnesfjellet. They are about 25 metres high, and the formation is approximately 250 metres above sea level.

From nearly 1,000-metre-high Sandhornet, clear weather brings far-reaching views across the region: to Lofoten, Steigen, Værøy, Røst and Træna, to Svartisen, and across the mountains to Sulitjelma and Sweden. Visibility depends on clear weather conditions. The beach, rock formation and viewpoint offer different reasons to spend time on Sandhornøy.

Boat Trips and a Closer Look at Marine Life

The Salmon Center Gildeskål offers talks about the lives of salmon, salmon lice and other topics. It also has an indoor aquarium with salmon and a touch pool for children, where they can come into direct contact with marine organisms. Boat trips to aquaculture sites are available by prior booking; the boat can accommodate up to ten passengers. Check availability if this trip is part of your plans.

Guided boat tours, transport and island-hopping trips aboard an open Silver Eagle boat are also offered from Sandhornøy. These are different options to consider when planning your trip: a Salmon Center excursion to aquaculture sites, or tours and island-hopping from Sandhornøy.

Getting There and Choosing a Base

Gildeskål can be reached by express boat, bus, car and bicycle, including via the Helgelandskysten National Tourist Route and County Road 17. Check current services to plan your journey around your needs. For cyclists, Gildeskål is included in the northern route proposal for Kystriksveien along County Road 17. This section runs from Meløy and Gildeskål to Bodø; the road as a whole runs from Steinkjer to Bodø.

Consider which destinations you would like to include and check the connections relevant to your journey. This lets you tailor your hotel search to your travel plans without limiting the many experiences the destination offers to just one kind of visit.

Discover more destinations: Inndyr, Nygårdsjøen, Storvik, Sandhornøy, Sørarnøy, Ballangen, Hamarøy, Herøy.

Back to the main travel overview: Nordland.