Herøy: Island Routes, Paddling and Coastal Culture

Herøy brings together water activities, island routes and coastal culture. On the water, choose from rentals and guided paddling tours with different routes; on land, bridge connections and the Tenna turløype offer further options. Church architecture, an open-air museum and protected areas reveal other sides of the island group.

Paddling, Cycling and Walks

Herøy Kajakk & Sykkel rents single and tandem sea kayaks for day trips and longer periods. Kayak rentals include a map with recommended paddling routes lasting three to five hours; these recommendations may change. For beginners, a guided kayak tour follows the Herøysundet through especially calm, sheltered waters near Silvalen in Herøy. Another guided tour goes around Øksningan and Hjelmsøya in western Herøy. It offers wildlife watching, coffee and a simple lunch; a short walk up a hill is optional. As a longer option, a five-day guided paddling tour to the Vega World Heritage islands starts in Herøy and is intended for experienced paddlers. Availability of rentals may vary; availability of guided tours may fluctuate seasonally.

Herøy Kajakk & Sykkel also rents regular bicycles, electric bicycles and SUP boards. At Husvær, sheltered waters make it possible to paddle between the islands with views of birdlife and the sea; local access conditions may vary. Several islands are connected by bridges, making it possible to island-hop by car or bicycle. A guided bike tour from Sandnessjøen goes via Dønna and through the Herøy island group. On Herøy, the Tenna turløype offers a walking route.

Church, Museum and Coastal Culture

Herøy kirke is a soapstone church built in the 12th century, also known as “Helgelandskatedralen.” It is the only church north of Trondheim with an apse.

The open-air museum Herøy bygdesamling presents 1,500 years of local cultural history and has an extensive collection of objects. The collection covers agriculture, fishing and hunting, everyday life, and festive traditions along the Helgeland coast. The museum manages seven protected or heritage-worthy buildings.

Petter på skjæret is a 10-metre-high statue of the poet-priest Petter Dass on the skerry of Raudholmgalten in Herøy. It can only be reached by boat or kayak.

Landscape and Protected Areas

Herøy’s islands are low-lying and lie mostly on the well-developed strandflat. The nature reserves have different purposes: Indreholmen/Lyngværet was designated to protect seabird breeding areas. Salvatnet protects a large wetland used by wetland birds for breeding and during migration. Vardøya Nature Reserve protects a traditional coastal landscape and its associated flora and fauna. Thus, on Herøy, the protection of breeding areas and wetland habitats goes hand in hand with preserving a coastal landscape and its species.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Herøy, Brasøy, Tjeldsund, Værøy, Meløy, Steigen, Vega, Lødingen

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