Brønnøy
Municipality · Nordland
About Brønnøy
Walk right through Torghatten, the mountain with a hole in it, then eat among the herb gardens of Hildurs Urterarium near Brønnøysund.
Brønnøy runs from a low, farmed coastal shelf and bridged islands in the west to mountains over 1,000 m around the inner fjords, much of it granite and almost empty of people. Nearly everyone lives on the coastal shelf, where the town signs itself as the middle of Norway.
It suits a night on Kystriksveien. Take Fv76 inland to the 1674 log church at Nøstvik on Velfjorden, look for the lake that drains away underground, or paddle among the skerries.
Good to know
- Getting there: Fv17 Kystriksveien follows the coast; Fv76 crosses Tosenfjellet to the E6. About 2 h 30 from Mosjøen; Brønnøysund has an airport and Hurtigruten.
- Season: Fv76 over Tosenfjellet can have convoy driving or short closures in winter storms; Torghatten Strandrestaurant opens daily June–August.
- Sleeping: Torghatten Lodge is open all year; Tosbotn Camping & Cottages and Velfjord Camping og Hytter open in the summer season.
- Food: Svang in Brønnøysund has a weekly menu of local meat, fish and berries, with seafood from a local fishmonger.
What to do and where to stay in Brønnøy
Places to stay are run locally, with no hotel or campsite chain behind them.
1TorghattenHike
A 258 m mountain on Torget with a 160 m-long, 35 m-high hole worn through it by the sea; stone steps from the 1870s lead up and through, and you can carry on to the top.
Torget island, about 12 km south-west of Brønnøysund · 1–2 h (about 20 min up to the hole) · all-year (snow-free months best; steps can be icy)
2Hildurs UrterariumFood & drink
A farm at Tilrem with themed gardens of herbs, flowers and plants, a summer garden café and the Sagastua restaurant in a main house over 200 years old.
Tilrem 31, about 7 km north of Brønnøysund on Fv17 · 1–2 h · Garden walk June–August; café daily 12–17, 20 June–6 August; property all year
3Skarsåsen FortressHistory & culture
A German coastal battery from 1942 above Brønnøysund: a 5–10 minute walk leads to four gun positions, trenches and tunnels, with views to Torghatten and Vega.
Skarsåsen, just off Fv17 north-east of Brønnøysund · 45 min (about 1 km, 20 m climb) · all-year
4Nøstvik Church (Velfjord Church)History & culture
A red log church from 1674 by the shore of Sørfjorden, called the oldest wooden church in Northern Norway; it replaced a stave church from before the Reformation.
Nøstvika, by Hommelstø, Velfjord · 20–30 min · Exterior all year; interior at services or by arrangement
5Velfjord Museum and the unopened rucksackLocal oddity
In Hommelstø's old Co-op, Helgeland Museum shows Velfjord and Southern Sámi history, including a rucksack donated in 1949 and never opened, said to bring bad luck.
Former Co-op building, Hommelstø; open-air Minnetun and Sámi turf hut at Strøm, Tosenveien 87 · 1 h · Minnetun buildings summer (guided tours); turf hut all year; check opening hours before you go
6Norwegian Aquaculture Centre (Norsk Havbrukssenter)Sight
At Toft on the Torghatten road, walk the floating platforms of a working salmon farm, try the feeding system, then see the indoor exhibition and small aquariums.
Toftveien 80, on the road to Torghatten · 1–1.5 h · all-year (tours outdoor, weather-dependent)
7Brønnøy ChurchHistory & culture
Brønnøysund's stone church was rebuilt in 1870 after fires in 1772 and 1866, keeping walls of the church built around 1200, and holds a pre-Reformation crucifix.
Central Brønnøysund · 20–30 min · Exterior all year; interior at services/events
8Norway's midpoint markerLocal oddity
A sign in Brønnøysund town centre marks the town as the middle of Norway, roughly the same distance from Lindesnes in the south and the North Cape.
Brønnøysund town centre · 10 min · all-year
9Gåsheia four peaksHike
Signposted trails from a ski cabin by Fv76 link four low summits from 195 to 355 m, with boardwalks over the bogs and views over Velfjorden, Torghatten and Vega.
Gåsheia, by Fv76 about 12 km from Brønnøysund · 3–5 h for all four peaks (1.5–2.5 h one way) · all-year
10Lomsdal-Visten National Park from NevernesNature
The park's main Brønnøy gateway at Nevernes on Velfjord has a summer visitor centre; boats cross the fjord to marked paths into Strompdalen, Lomsdalen and Børjedalen.
Nevernes, Fv76, about 40 km east of Brønnøysund · 1 h at the gateway; full day or overnight with a boat crossing · Summer (visitor centre); toilets and showers all year
Book something local
paddling
Kayak and SUP rental and courses ↗
Rent a kayak, SUP or canoe at Innervika, or join a beginner course or guided paddle among the skerries towards Brønnøysund and Torghatten.
Brønnøysund Kajakk · Innervika, 15–20 min drive from Brønnøysund