Bindal
Municipality · Nordland
About Bindal
Climb cone-shaped Heilhornet, swim in Fallbekkvatnet, and visit Åbygda on the Åbjøra river, where polar explorer Otto Sverdrup grew up.
Bindal is Nordland's southernmost municipality, split in two by Bindalsfjorden and its inner arm Tosenfjorden, with most peaks at 600–900 m and granite tops above 1,000 m over a coast of sounds and side fjords. Most people live in the south-west, around Terråk and the low isthmus of Bindalseidet.
It suits a slow day or a night on Kystriksveien: the short walk up Mulingen above Terråk, the octagonal 1733 log church at Vassås, and rowing a traditional bindalsfæring on the fjord.
Good to know
- Getting there: Fv17 Kystriksveien comes in from Trøndelag and Fv801 runs to Terråk, about 1 h 45 from Grong. The Holm–Vennesund ferry (about 20 minutes) leads north.
- Season: Kystriksveien ferries sail less often in winter; when there is snow, the Svartåsdalen tracks just south of Terråk are groomed for evening skiing.
- Sleeping: Terråk Gjestegård, Bogen Feriehus (open all year) and Holm Camping (April–September).
- Food: Færingen Spiseri at Terråk Gjestegård cooks with local fish, game and farm produce.
What to do and where to stay in Bindal
Places to stay are run locally, with no hotel or campsite chain behind them.
1HeilhornetHike
A 1,058 m granite cone by Fv17, long used by seafarers as a landmark; a marked 5.4 km trail climbs to the top, with railings on the steepest final section.
Fv17 north of Kjelleidet, between the Rørvik junction and Holm ferry · 6–7 h (about 11–12 km return) · May–October (snow-free)
2MulingenViewpoint
A 321 m hill just outside Terråk with a 1.5 km family trail and a 360-degree view over Terråk, Åbygda and Sørfjorden.
Vassås, just north of Terråk · 1.5–2 h (3 km return) · May–October
3Bindal Museum (Helgeland Museum)History & culture
Helgeland Museum's Terråk branch on forestry and boatbuilding, centred on the bindalsfæring, a four-oared wooden boat often rigged with a square sail.
Sørfjordveien 2A, Terråk · 45–60 min · All-year venue; check opening hours before you go
4Bindal Bygdetun and Vassås cultural trailHistory & culture
An old croft at Vassås kept as an open-air museum, named after Hilda Busch who farmed it until 1981, on a heritage trail past Iron Age burial mounds.
Gangstøveien 80, Vassås, 2.5 km north of Terråk · 45–60 min · Buildings open part of summer or on request; trail all year
5Færingen Spiseri, Terråk GjestegårdFood & drink
The 50-seat restaurant at Terråk's guesthouse serves pizza, sushi and Norwegian dishes made with local fish, game and farm produce, with a bar alongside.
Central Terråk, near the marina · 1 h · All-year; check opening hours before you go
6Åbygda and the Åbjøra riverNature
A farming valley along the salmon river Åbjøra, 10 km from Terråk, where polar explorer Otto Sverdrup was born at Hårstad farm in 1854.
Åbygda, about 10 km southeast of Terråk · 30 min drive-through to a half day fishing · all-year (salmon season summer)
7Svartåstjønna and Jenshola caveLocal oddity
A child-friendly 1.8 km trail through bog and forest to a small lake near Terråk, with a side path to Jenshola, a cave.
South of Fallbekkvatnet, about 2 km before Terråk · 1.5 h (3.6 km return plus cave) · May–October
8Grønnbenken and GundagammenHike
A 3.9 km trail crosses Grønnbenken, a moraine ridge left by the ice sheet about 14,000 years ago and named for the green plants that cover it in summer.
Hornelvveien, between Kveinsjøen and Bindalseidet · 3 h (7.8 km return) · Summer–autumn; popular autumn northern-lights walk
9Fallbekkvatnet swimming spotSwim
A lake just outside Terråk set up for swimming, with a diving tower, a swimming trampoline, grill, changing rooms and toilets.
By Fv801, under 5 min drive from Terråk · 1 h · July–August
10Svartåsdalen ski tracksActivity
Groomed cross-country tracks in a valley just south of Terråk, recommended for an evening ski with a headlamp to look for the northern lights.
Svartåsdalen, just south of Terråk · 1–2 h · Winter (when snow)
Book something local
boat / rowing and sailing
Rent a Nordland boat (bindalsfæring) at Terråk ↗
Row or sail a traditional wooden Nordland boat for 2–3 people on the Bindalsfjord, with life jackets, fishing gear and a map of fishing spots.
Faragut AS (via Helgeland Museum, Terråk) · Terråk
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