Discover Sandeid: hiking, water and history

Sandeid brings together a swimming spot, hiking trails and historic sites. When planning a stay, you can use the specific routes and their stated durations as a guide: options range from a circular route of around 45 minutes to hikes that take several hours. You can also include a stop by the water or a glimpse into the area's history in your plans.

Hikes by duration and route length

The Sandeid sentrum–Helgevold circular route is about 3 kilometres long, takes around 45 minutes and is classed as easy and accessible. A longer option is the Utkjikken route: it starts at the Technical Building in the centre of Sandeid and is 8.5 kilometres there and back. The Hovda route starts at Sandeid Community Hall; the approximately 8-kilometre route is estimated to take around 2 to 2.5 hours there and back.

The hike over Døldarheia from Stuhaug is about 10 kilometres and is estimated to take 4 to 5 hours there and back. The marked trail crosses the tree line, passes Måsarvatnet and continues to Døldarvarden. By comparison, the Hest route from Fjellstøl is a shorter circular route at 6.4 kilometres and around 1.5 hours. It offers views of the Sandeidfjord and Ølensfjord. The different distances and durations help you distinguish between tours requiring different amounts of time, without implying a difficulty rating for routes that have not been classified.

Scenery, trails and winter activities

You can also experience the scenery along specific waypoints. The route to Olalia passes the small lake Tosko and Ongelsvatnet; along the way, the landscape changes from woodland to open terrain. From Fjellstøl, the Olalia Tourist Cabin is accessible by bicycle, with a stroller or in a wheelchair. Ramnafjellet is 431 metres high and offers views across Sandeid.

The Liå trail can be reached from the centre of Sandeid via the suspension bridge. There are deer, roe deer and a rich variety of birdlife in Liå. Along the route to Sønnanåstølen, you will find benches and tables for breaks; fishing is possible in Sønnanåtjernet. Sønnanåstølen was rebuilt in 1993. Mountain farming continued there well into the 20th century, and the stall beneath a large rock has been preserved in its original form.

Another destination is Bagbarkyrkja, a group of natural caves. They can be reached via a detour across the river; a torch is recommended for exploring the caves. At Fjellstøl, there is a toboggan run and a floodlit ski trail right by the car park.

Swimming spot, harbour and history

At the municipal beach in Sandeid, you can swim and barbecue, with views stretching across the entire Sandeidfjord. The beach has a jetty, a toilet and a barbecue shelter. Båthamna in the centre of Sandeid has a guest jetty and a service building with toilets and showers. There is also a motorhome waste disposal point on the quay.

Sandeid Church is a wooden long church consecrated in 1904. The area's earlier church history includes the first church in Sandeid: it was built around 1100 as a stave church on an old sacrificial site within a medieval churchyard. Stuhaug Turisme og Gardsmuseum is a private museum site with almost ten buildings and more than 4,000 household items. It is temporarily closed.

Discover more destinations: Ølensvåg, Ølen, Vikedal, Vikebygd, Nedre Vats, Åmsosen, Bjoa, Kvaløyna.

For the broader travel overview: Vindafjord.