Discover culture, trails and landscapes in Sømna

In Sømna, cultural history, trails and landscapes come together. In Vik, Sømna bygdetun and Sømna kirke are the main attractions; other hiking, coastal and winter activities can be found in various locations around Sømna. These highlights can help you plan your trip around your interests.

Cultural history in Vik

In the vicinity of Sømna, in Gamle Vik, Sømna bygdetun comprises twelve buildings. It presents local cultural history through the everyday lives of farming and fishing-farming families between 1800 and 1950. Visitors can also follow the journey of grain from field to finished flour. A kitchen garden with old grain varieties, heritage crops, herbs and vegetables complements the themes of agriculture and everyday life.

There are set opening hours in summer and before Christmas. Visits can be arranged year-round by appointment; check the opening hours or arrange your visit in advance. Several detours on the GeoBike circular route lead to places including Sømna bygdetun.

Sømna kirke stands in Vik, right next to the open-air museum at Gamle Vik. Its churchyard is surrounded by a stone wall, and the church site dates back to the Middle Ages. The church was completed in 1876. Its nave has a cruciform layout and seats 600. The church is 100 metres from the main road, Kystriksveien (RV17).

Circular routes and trails

The Vik–Bjøru–Knyk circular route is classified as easy. An easy circular route near Vik is described as a fine gravel path, well suited to prams and similar. The GeoBike circular route has several detours, including one to Sømna bygdetun. This lets you take cultural and trail-related interests into account when planning, without treating the different routes as the same.

There are also various hiking options beyond Vik. The summit of Sømnesfjellet can be reached via a 1.3-kilometre hike; from there, the view stretches across Sømna’s agricultural landscape and the archipelago with its islands. Kvennvika is the starting point for the hike to Sørfjellet. The hike up Ryptind begins in Rørmarka in Dalbotn. These location details can help you choose which hiking destination interests you most.

Landscapes, coast and winter in Sømna

Sømna lies along Kystriksveien, the coastal road on County Road 17. From Bindal, the Holm–Vennesund ferry connection provides access to Sømna. If you plan to use this connection, check the timetable for your travel date. Sundshopen, a rest area and viewpoint, is located in Sømna along the Helgeland Coast National Scenic Route.

Kvennvika is a south-facing beach in the south of Sømna, on the island of Kvaløya, which is connected to the mainland. There are toilets, showers and rubbish bins. For paddling enthusiasts, there are two recommended kayak routes: one starting in Berg and one around Sømnesøya. Together, these options showcase different sides of the destination, from a day at the beach to exploring by kayak.

For winter outings, the floodlit trail at Kvervet has shelters along the route and a heated ski cabin at the starting area. Together with Brønnøy, Vega, Vevelstad, Bindal and Leka, Sømna is part of the Trollfjell UNESCO Global Geopark. Its status is based on a unique geological natural heritage of international significance.

More cultural and culinary destinations

North of Vik lies Rødbergan, an automatically protected soapstone quarry dating from the Iron Age and the Middle Ages. Near Viksjøen is a historic group of buildings, including several old boathouses and quays. For those interested in farm life, Humlehagen Kulturgård offers a variety of farm experiences with horses, llamas, alpacas, ducks and pigs.

Local products and produce are also among the things to discover in Sømna: Nordgården Pub og Spiseri serves beer brewed with its own malt from Sømna. The shop at Sømna Kro og Gjestegård stocks cheese, honey, spices, sauces and other products from local food producers.

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