Utsira: Birdwatching, Coastal Culture and Lighthouse

Utsira is an island destination to explore by ferry, hiking trails, birdwatching and maritime history. If you are looking for hotels in Utsira, these themes can help guide your choice of travel dates and planned activities. The ferry, trails, cultural sites and seasonal offerings each have a different focus.

Getting there and routes to Vindbalhytta

The ferry from Haugesund to Utsira runs several times a day. The crossing takes about 70 minutes; cars and bicycles are carried on board. Check the timetable before travelling, as ferry times may change. There are two different starting points for the route to Vindbalhytta: from the Brakko car park, it is about 200 metres to the cabin. From Nordvikvågen on Utsira, a two-kilometre footpath leads there. The route to Vindbalhytta is very easy. However, after prolonged periods of rain, the ground may be wet on the last 100 metres to the day-trip cabin.

Hiking trails with different highlights

The Vikingløypa hiking trail passes eight marked house sites from the Migration Period. Its full circular route is about seven kilometres long. The NorthSeaTrail offers a different route: it passes the ring forest of Utsira Fuglestasjon and runs between Nordvikvågen and the Utsira lighthouse. The trails thus differ in their layout and in the places and landscape features they pass: Vikingløypa is a circular route with archaeological sites, while the NorthSeaTrail runs between two named points.

Birdwatching and island nature

Utsira has 25 first records for Norway and is considered a sought-after birdwatching destination. During the peak migration periods in September and October, more than 150 birdwatchers may be on the island. The number of first records may continue to rise as new observations are made. Birdwatching here goes hand in hand with a landscape shaped by continuous grazing of coastal heath and natural pastureland since the Migration Period.

The archaeological traces also span several eras: the landscape includes settlement remains from the Stone Age, dating to around 8000 BC, numerous house sites from the Migration Period, and graves and house sites from the Viking Age. Spannholmane Nature Reserve is the only nature reserve in Utsira municipality and covers 75 decares. In the reserve and in a 50-metre-wide marine zone around it, landing and access are prohibited from 15 April through 1 August. Bear this period in mind if you are considering a visit.

Lighthouse, coastal culture and street art

Utsira’s lighthouse station was established in 1843–1844 as a twin lighthouse, with two towers about 200 metres apart. The Utsira lighthouse is Norway’s highest-altitude lighthouse; its lens is 78 metres above the ground. The Mikal L. Klovning Sjøhus displays an authentic sjøhus, as well as boats and equipment from the major herring fisheries on Utsira. UtsirArt street art is visible upon arrival in Nordvikvågen and extends across the entire island.

Siradagane is an annual festival of coastal culture, food and drink, concerts and other cultural experiences, held on Utsira during the last weekend of May. The exact dates and programme may change; confirm both before your trip.

Food and fishing

Dahmsgård hosts courses and culinary talks about seafood specialities, seaweed and kelp; tastings may be available. As offerings and booking arrangements may change, contact the venue directly before your trip. There are opportunities to fish for saithe, pollock and cod from the outer breakwaters of Nordvikvågen and Sørevågen. Fishing conditions vary by season.

Discover more destinations: Vassøy, Sola, Bokn, Sauda, Randaberg, Oanes

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