Stongfjorden – Industrial Heritage Between Fjord and Mountains

Stongfjorden lies between fjord and mountains, with nearby outdoor recreation areas adding to the character of the town. Its industrial history is particularly distinctive: a cultural route opened in the town centre in 2018, focusing on the town’s industrial past. The cultural walk leads through Stongfjorden’s former industrial life and showcases sites associated with Northern Europe’s first aluminium plant.

Cultural Route and Industrial Traces

The cultural walk brings history to life through video and audio stories that can be accessed along the route. Each stop is marked by a small sign. This puts the individual sites in focus, while the stories draw attention to the town’s history.

Among the notable sites of remembrance is the restored former workers’ bathhouse, “Baden.” A turbine from the BACO power station also stands there as a roadside monument. The bathhouse and turbine represent two different aspects of the industrial heritage: a building once used in everyday life and a technical object that recalls the power station.

Episenter Askvoll is located in the former Stongfjorden bruksskule. The British Aluminium Company had the historic building constructed in 1918. The exhibition covers the geological history as well as the power station and industrial history of Askvoll. Episenter is also the venue for various events throughout the year, including literary cafés, food festivals, volunteer festivals, cultural events, and celebrations of UNESCO status. The programme may vary; check the specific dates before your trip.

Trails with Different Themes

The Industriminneløypa A17 has a different focus from the cultural walk: it follows the old channel to the power station and continues down to the old intake chamber. It ends at the Sunnfjord Geosenter. The route therefore takes in a series of specific technical sites, while the cultural walk conveys history through its stops and accessible stories.

Nearby, the Solsidevegen A16 at Blomberg follows a forest path through old pastures. Rest areas offer views of the town and fjord. The trails therefore have different themes: industrial history on the one hand, and forest, pastures, and views on the other. Stongfjorden’s location between fjord and mountains adds a landscape dimension to the town and its trails.

Within the Wider Destination of Askvoll

Askvoll is also a destination in its own right and provides the wider regional context: the municipality’s natural landscapes range from fjords and mountains to the outer island archipelago. This includes the Sørværet Nature Reserve, a protected wetland near Værlandet. Wildlife that may be seen there includes seals, otters, eagles, and deer; sightings are not guaranteed. Seasonal access restrictions may apply.

Cultural and historical sites are also spread across Askvoll. The rock art site at Cape Staveneset comprises eleven areas with Bronze Age rock carvings dating from around 1800 to 500 BC; most depict boats. On Atløy stands Vilnes Church, built in 1674, a wooden long church with 130 seats. A stone cross in its churchyard commemorates the so-called Olav’s Cross on Svanøy.

On Bulandet, the theme park in the old schoolhouse offers an overview of life in the island community, past and present. Its permanent exhibition covers the turn of the millennium, fishing, and peace. Access is by contacting the venue or by arrangement. These regional destinations add further themes to Stongfjorden’s local history without being equated with the trails and sites in the town.

Discover more destinations: Holmedal, Kvammen, Bulandet, Korssund, Atløy, Askvoll, Værlandet.

Back to the main travel overview: Askvoll.