Alstahaug
Municipality · Nordland
About Alstahaug
The Seven Sisters ridge above Sandnessjøen, the Snøhetta-designed Petter Dass Museum beside medieval Alstahaug church, and the war cemetery at Tjøtta.
Alstahaug is all islands. The main one is Alsta, where a ridge of hard granite rises to 1,072 m in the east, while the west and the islands to the south are a low, farmed coastal shelf. Most people live in the one town, with its port, airport and Hurtigruten quay.
It is a natural night on Kystriksveien. Viking history lies close to town at the rebuilt Torolvstein longhouse, and in summer Botn Havsbad is a shallow lagoon beach that warms up.
Good to know
- Getting there: Fv17 crosses Helgelandsbrua, and the Tjøtta–Forvik ferry goes south. Sandnessjøen is about 1 hour from Mosjøen and 1 h 45 from Mo i Rana.
- Season: The Seven Sisters trails are for the snow-free months; the museum's old buildings at Alstahaug and the Torolvstein longhouse open June–August.
- Sleeping: Tjøtta Gjestegård is open all year; Sandnessjøen Camping and Offersøy Camping Helgeland are the campsites.
- Food: Tjøtta Gjestegaard's café, in an 1850 guesthouse, serves coffee and lunch in summer, handy before or after the Forvik ferry.
What to do and where to stay in Alstahaug
Places to stay are run locally, with no hotel or campsite chain behind them.
1Skjæringen and Tvillingan, Seven SistersHike
The easiest pair of the Seven Sisters peaks: a well-marked path climbs from Markvoll farm up a river gully to a 762 m shoulder, then on to Skjæringen's 1,037 m summit.
Markvoll, east side of Alsten, south of Sandnessjøen · 4–5 h return (Skjæringen); longer adding Tvillingan · summer–early autumn (snow-free)
2Petter Dass MuseumHistory & culture
Snøhetta's 2007 museum at Alstahaug tells the story of the 1600s poet-priest Petter Dass, with changing exhibitions, an archaeology exhibition and Margrethes café.
Alstahaugveien 17, Alstahaug, south end of Alsten · 1–2 h · all-year, closed Mondays and some holidays; old buildings June–August only
3Alstahaug ChurchHistory & culture
A stone church whose oldest part dates from around 1200, where Petter Dass was parish priest from 1689 to 1707 and which served as the diocese's cathedral 1805–1828.
Alstahaug, next to the Petter Dass Museum · 30 min · churchyard all-year; interior via museum guided tours in summer
4Kongshaugen burial mound walkHike
A walking trail from the Petter Dass Museum leads to Kongshaugen, a burial mound 30 m across and 8 m high, probably Nordland's largest and once a sailing mark.
Haugsneset, Alstahaug · 30–60 min · all-year (best snow-free)
5Tjøtta International War CemeteryHistory & culture
Anonymous graves of victims of the Rigel, a prisoner ship bombed by British aircraft near Tjøtta in November 1944, killing over 2,500 people, most of them POWs.
By Fv17 between Sandnessjøen and Tjøtta · 20–40 min · all-year
6Tjøtta chieftain's seat trail (Fotefar mot nord)History & culture
A 2.5 km cultural trail at Tjøtta, seat of the Viking chieftain Hårek, passes Iron Age burial sites, standing stones, a Hårek monument and the 1850 manor house.
Tjøtta gård, Tjøtta island · 1 h (2.5 km) · all-year (snow-free best)
7Torolvstein Viking longhouseHistory & culture
A rebuilt 65 m longhouse at Sandnes, 750 m from Sandnessjøen centre, on a saga-age chieftain's seat linked to Torolv Kveldulvsson, with storytelling, archery and axe throwing.
Alstenveien 56, Sandnes, 750 m from Sandnessjøen centre · 1–2 h · June–August open without booking; rest of year groups by reservation
8Vindenes hus (The Winds' House)Local oddity
Sissel Tolaas's 5 m concrete sculpture with 12 propellers stands by Helgelandsbrua, part of Artscape Nordland and built to catch Alstahaug's most exposed winds.
By Fv17 at the Alsten end of Helgelandsbrua · 10–15 min · all-year
9Kulturbadet, SandnessjøenActivity
Sandnessjøen's culture house has a pool with a timed water slide and a 5 m diving tower, warm and bubble pools, a Dolby Atmos cinema and the library.
Torolv Kveldulvsons gate 10, Sandnessjøen centre · 1–3 h · all-year
10Tjøtta Gjestegaard caféFood & drink
A café in Tjøtta's 1850 guesthouse on the old state sheep-breeding farm, serving coffee and lunch to drop-in guests in summer before or after the Forvik ferry.
Tjøtta gård, Tjøtta · 45–60 min · café daily June–August from 12:00 (meals May–October per trade sheet)
Book something local
culture / food
Viking feast and guided tour at Høvdingsete på Sandnes ↗
Groups dress in Viking clothes, hear sagas of Sandnes, try axes and bows and eat a meal based on Viking Age ingredients in the rebuilt longhouse.
Høvdingsete på Sandnes / Torolvstein · Alstenveien 56, Sandnessjøen