Discover Hå: dune coast, birdlife and culture

In Hå, the themes for a stay range from protected dune coasts and bird habitats to exhibitions, a historic route and a stop along Kystpilgrimsleia. For planning, you can consider nature and culture as different areas of interest: the landscape areas tell the story of dunes and rare plants, while museums and historic sites offer insights into rural history, art and the lighthouses of Jæren.

Protected dune coasts and birdlife

The beach at Hå gamle prestegard is protected as a landscape and bird sanctuary. Kvassheimstranda has landscape protection, while bird protection with Ramsar status applies to Kvassheimbukta. The protected areas therefore have different focuses: landscape protection and bird conservation each apply to their own distinct area.

Ognasanden is a reference area for dune coast along the Jæren beaches and is protected for its landscape and vegetation. At Refsnesstranda, rare vegetation types and species are a defining feature of the landscape-protected dune coast. They range from the outer dunes to the inner dune heath. The nature themes therefore differ: Ognasanden represents the dune coast as a reference area, while Refsnesstranda is notable for the diversity of vegetation between the coast and the dune heath.

Trails, lighthouses and the pilgrimage route

The Kongevegen hiking trail partly follows the traces of a prehistoric sunken road and the historic Kongevegen from the 17th century. Both periods of history also make the trail culturally interesting. A map and route description are available at kart.stikkut.no to help you find your way.

Friluftsfyret Kvassheim has exhibitions on the history of lighthouses and the rich birdlife of Jæren. These topics bring together maritime history and the region’s natural environment, without limiting the visit to just one of them. Obrestad fyr is a key site on Kystpilgrimsleia. In the “Stille rom” (Quiet Room), pilgrims can stamp their pilgrim passports and sign a book. As access conditions may change, it is best to check access options before your visit.

Museums, rural history and art

Vitengarden in Nærbø is a combined museum and science centre about the rural history of Jæren. Interactive exhibitions make this history the focus of a visit. The museum also includes a farm museum with live farm animals in a 1950s farm setting. The animals may change.

Vitengarden is about 1.5 kilometres from Nærbø railway station on foot or by bicycle. This gives you a clear point of reference for planning the journey from the station, without specifying an exact walking or cycling time.

Hå gamle prestegard has a gallery of contemporary art and historical exhibitions. The site’s history as overnight accommodation for travellers dates back to the late Middle Ages. Today, it also has a café, an art shop and a bookshop. Together with Vitengarden, it offers a clear cultural contrast: here, the focus is on art and historical exhibitions; there, on the rural history of Jæren and interactive museum experiences.

When choosing activities for your trip, you can use these different themes as a guide: protected coastal landscapes, traces of historic routes, lighthouse history, pilgrimage traditions or rural culture. This lets you plan your time in Hå around your own interests without combining nature and cultural experiences into a single outing.

Discover more destinations: Vigrestad, Brusand, Sirevåg, Nærbø, Varhaug, Time, Gjesdal, Sola.

For the broader travel overview: Rogaland.