Ørland: Cultural History and Wetlands

A five-storey gun tower and Norway’s largest tidal flat reveal two very different sides of Ørland. Cultural history, wetlands and walking or cycling tours each give your trip its own focus.

Cultural history at Austrått and Brekstad

Austrått Fort is a former German fortification with a gigantic five-storey gun tower. A guided tour lasting just under an hour runs underground through the entire tower, the power station and the barracks, which accommodated up to 200 people. The fort also houses the “Fosen Krigshistoriske Samlinger” exhibition about the occupation years in Fosen.

The cultural heritage around Austrått offers several points of interest: Austrått is one of Norway’s oldest manor estates, while Austråttborgen is regarded as a European cultural treasure. Austråttlunden was historically a hunting ground and manor park for Austråttborgen. Today, the protected landscape area is known for its distinctive flora and fauna, species-rich deciduous forest and large oak trees. A designated walking trail is 3.5 kilometres long.

In Brekstad, Ørland Kultursenter shares a building with the local transport terminal. On the second floor, the “Porten til Trøndelag” exhibition tells the long history of Ørland municipality, from the first people who visited Klakken 10,000 to 11,000 years ago to the present day. A dedicated gallery is devoted to Hannah Ryggen.

KULMIN also offers a way to explore Ørland’s cultural heritage through short video stories. Using new technology, text, sound, film and images introduce Klüwerrøysa, Skjegghaugan, Viklem and Valseide. Alongside exhibitions, the cultural programme therefore includes compact multimedia presentations.

Wetlands, coast and birdwatching

Grandefjæra Nature Reserve has Norway’s largest tidal flat. Its mosaic includes mudflats, ponds, sandy and rocky shores, seaweed ridges and seagrass meadows. The area is particularly well equipped for birdwatching, with observation points at Grande, Hoøya and Rønsholmen. Its variety of habitats gives the nature reserve its diverse character.

Hovsfjæra Bird Sanctuary is one of Ørland’s four protected wetlands with international Ramsar status. Eidsvatnet is also a rewarding destination, particularly during the spring and autumn migrations. Besøkssenter våtmark Ørland offers guided trips and visits, exhibitions and themed evenings. Overall, Ørland is well set up for hiking, cycling and birdwatching.

Tarva offers a different coastal landscape: the island group comprises more than 300 islands and islets. Tarva is a coastal cultural landscape maintained through livestock farming. The island group adds a distinctive facet to the municipality’s natural and cultural landscapes, shaped by livestock farming.

Exploring on foot and by bike

The signposted Kystpilgrimsleden Ørland passes through important natural and cultural areas and is suitable for visitors and locals alike. The designated walking trail in Austråttlunden is 3.5 kilometres long and offers another way to explore the landscape on foot. The two routes showcase different aspects of the landscape: the pilgrimage route connects natural and cultural areas, while the walking trail runs through the protected landscape area.

The cycling routes also offer different experiences. The route near Austrått follows Fitjanveien along the sea on a paved path with a firm or gravel surface. The “Fuglesafari” route, by contrast, passes through Ørland’s wetlands.

If you would like to include sports facilities in your trip, Brekstad’s Lerberen area is home to Ørland Diskgolfpark, with an 18-hole course established in 2018. In the historic Austrått area, Austrått Golf Club operates a nine-hole golf course.

Choose the right focus for your stay

When looking for a hotel in Ørland, you can start by considering what you want your days to centre on: cultural history and exhibitions, wetlands and birdwatching, or walking and cycling tours. The places you visit and activities you choose give your trip planning a clear thematic framework.

Discover more destinations: Storfosna, Brekstad, Opphaug, Kråkvåg, Åfjord, Tydal, Melhus, Malvik.

Back to the main travel overview: Sor-Trondelag.