Ørnes: Culture, Excursions and Activities on the Water

When looking for a hotel in Ørnes, you can consider whether culture, excursions on land or activities on the water should shape your stay. There are several options to choose from locally: the Ørnes trading post, hiking destinations with shelters, and tours that start in Ørnes. The wider destination of Meløy also includes scenic and cultural attractions elsewhere in the region.

Equipment and hiking destinations in Ørnes

The Meløy Equipment Centre is located in the centre of Ørnes, together with the Meløy Library. It lends kayaks, bicycles, skis, skates and hiking equipment, among other things. The range therefore includes equipment for activities on the water as well as gear for hikes and other outings. Equipment availability may vary. The Sentrumsrunden hiking route is in Ørnes. If you are planning an outing with a specific destination, there are also several shelters to consider.

There is a shelter by the sledding hill on Fjellveien. The shelter at Lomtjønna is considered a pleasant destination for the whole family. Starting points for a trip to the shelter at Lomtjønna include Aspdalen, Ørnes School, Spildra School and the sledding hill on Fjellveien. These access points give you several options for planning a trip to the shelter.

Spildervannet is a suitable destination for an outing in both summer and winter. The shelter there is on the slope below Spilderdalsveien. Its location below the road sets this destination apart from the shelters mentioned above. Knutbu at Mosvollskardet is another destination for an outing.

Trading post, exhibition and café

Three buildings remain at the Ørnes trading post: the main building, the Old Bakery and the forge. The main building presents the role of the trading post in the social development of Meløy. The Old Bakery houses an exhibition about the Second World War sabotage operation known as “Operation Musket Wonder”. Together, the trading post’s exhibits highlight both Meløy’s social development and a specific chapter in its wartime history.

The trading post also has a café serving light meals and a museum shop selling local goods and souvenirs. If you plan to use these services, check the latest service details before your visit.

Tours on the water and ferry connection

Meløy Adventure offers a sea eagle safari that starts in Ørnes and passes Messøya and Meløya by RIB boat. Along the way, you can observe sea eagles, seabirds and the changing coastal scenery; wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. Meløy Adventure’s fast-paced RIB rafting adventures also start in Ørnes. While the safari focuses on wildlife and coastal scenery, RIB rafting is an adventure on the water.

Everyone taking part in the RIB rafting trips is provided with a thermal flotation suit. Confirm equipment and conditions again when booking. For ferry planning, the Ørnes–Vassdalsvik–Meløysund–Bolga connection is relevant; it is listed as route 18-435. Check the journey planner for changes to departure times before travelling.

Meløy as the wider regional setting

The wider destination of Meløy also provides a scenic setting for planning your trip. Meløy is surrounded by an archipelago of more than 755 large and small islands. Svartisen is Norway’s second-largest glacier and also the lowest-lying glacier on the European mainland. On Støtt, you can choose from four routes of varying difficulty: Svenningen rundt, Helløya rundt, Helløya-Innerstøtt rundt and Støttværet rundt.

Discover more destinations: Engavågen, Støtt, Glomfjord, Halsa, Åmnes, Ågskardet, Meløy, Reipå

Return to the main travel overview: Meløy.