Dønna
Municipality · Nordland
About Dønna
Hike up Dønnamannen, the mountain shaped like a man lying on his back, then find medieval Dønnes church, Nordvika's old trading post and a 1,600-year-old stone phallus at Glein.
What to do and where to stay in Dønna
Places to stay are run locally, with no hotel or campsite chain behind them.
1DønnamannenHike
From Breivika beach a steep 4.5 km path climbs 858 m to Leppa, the 'lip' of a mountain shaped like a man lying on his back, with views over much of the Helgeland coast.
Breivika, west Dønna, south of Solfjellsjøen · 4–6 h return (9 km) · summer–early autumn (snow-free)
2Dønnes Church and mausoleumHistory & culture
A 13th-century stone church, first the private chapel of the Dønnes estate, with a 1600s burial chamber holding 22 coffins of the Tønder and Coldevin families.
Dønnes, north Dønna · 45–60 min with tour · guided tours several times a day in summer; on request rest of year
3Glein marble phallus and fertility exhibitionLocal oddity
An 89 cm white marble phallus from around AD 400 stands on Valhaugen burial mound; it spent 1831–1993 in a Bergen museum, and a small fertility exhibition is nearby.
Glein, east Dønna · 30–45 min · phallus uncovered roughly May–September; exhibition 24 June–10 Aug 2026, Mon and Wed–Fri 11–17
4Nordvika Old Trading PostHistory & culture
One of Nordland's oldest intact trading posts, busiest in the 1880s, with an old shop, inn, post office, steamship quay and a lounge papered with real gold.
1.5 km north of Solfjellsjøen, west Dønna · 1 h · summer season, events and on request
5SjokoladebryggaFood & drink
A tiny chocolate factory and summer café on an old trading and steamship quay, making organic Criollo-bean chocolate sweetened with agave and free of gluten and lactose.
Aksel Storviksvei 38, west Dønna near Stavseng · 45 min · café June–August; groups by arrangement year-round
63 Kalver farm restaurantFood & drink
A 50-seat farm restaurant in Solfjellsjøen serving lunch by day and a three-course evening menu built on produce from Dønna and Helgeland – no veal, despite the name.
Solfjellsjøen, central Dønna · 1–2 h · June–August, daily except Saturdays; otherwise on request
7DønnesfjelletViewpoint
A low hill of about 125–130 m on north Dønna with a road to the top and a 20-minute trail from Dønnes churchyard, giving wide views of the flat coast.
Dønnes, north Dønna · 20–60 min · all-year (midnight sun in early summer)
8Snekkevika and 'While you weight'Local oddity
A beach cove on north-east Dønna by the restored old Snekkevik school, with a grill hut at the water and Cildo Meireles's Artscape Nordland work 'While you weight'.
Snekkevika, north-east Dønna, between Glein and Dønnes · 30–60 min · all-year (beach best in summer)
9Breivika beachSwim
A beach bay at the end of a 6 km gravel road under Dønnamannen, with toilets, designated spots for tents and campfires, and sunset views across the sea.
Breivika, west Dønna · 1–2 h · summer for swimming; road can flood in heavy rain
10Ole Edvart Rølvaag exhibition, Dønna LibraryHistory & culture
Tells the story of Dønna-born Ole Rølvaag, who emigrated at 20 and wrote novels of Norwegian settlers in America, and shows all his first editions.
Dønna Library, Solfjellsjøen · 30 min · all-year, library hours (2024: Tue 10–18, Thu–Sat 10–14)
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