Heim
Municipality · Trøndelag
About Heim
Climb Ruten, walk the Fjordruta trail past Storlisetra, eat in a 1760 barn at Valsøytunet and see octagonal Hemne church from 1817.
Heim is fjord country between Trondheim and Kristiansund: a narrow band of farms along Hemnfjorden, Vinjefjorden and Halsafjorden, with hilly ridges of 400–600 m behind. Kyrksæterøra sits at the head of Hemnfjorden and Vinjeøra at the head of Vinjefjorden, with smaller villages farther west.
The E39 runs straight through to the Halsa ferry. For a slower day take the coast road Fv680 towards Aure, or stop a night for fjord walks and the old churches at Vinjeøra and Halsa.
Good to know
- Getting there: The E39 runs through, with the Halsa–Kanestraum ferry (20 minutes) towards Kristiansund. Kyrksæterøra is about 1 h 45 from Trondheim, an hour from Orkanger.
- Season: The mountain walks, Ruten and the Fjordruta to Sollia among them, are best from June to September or October.
- Sleeping: Three campsites: Belsvik Camping (April–October), Skogrand Camping and Valsøya Fjordcamping, open all year.
What to do and where to stay in Heim
Places to stay are run locally, with no hotel or campsite chain behind them.
1RutenHike
The municipality's highest peak at 1,040 m, on the Rindal border, with a big summit cairn, old military installations and a panel naming the peaks you can see.
Søvasslia, off the E39 between Vinjeøra and Kyrksæterøra · 4–5 h (about 11–12 km return, 840 m up) · June–October (route listed as year-round, but the valley path is best avoided in winter)
2StorlisetraHike
A summer mountain farm restored by volunteers in 2002–03, now a self-service KNT cabin on the Fjordruta, about 40 minutes' walk up a forest road from Vinjeøra.
Hillside south of Vinjeøra · 1.5 h return (about 40 min each way) · All year
3Sollia on the FjordrutaHike
A former mountain-dairy barn turned hikers' lodge in 2003, sitting 310 m above Vinjefjorden; the marked trail climbs through spruce and birch onto open moorland.
North side of Vinjefjorden, about 7 km west of Vinjeøra · About 3 h each way from Vinjeøra (full day) · June–September
4Hemne ChurchHistory & culture
An octagonal white wooden church from 1817 in Kyrksæterøra, built after lightning burned the old stave church in 1815; the church on this site was a polling place in 1814.
Kyrksæterøra centre · 15–30 min · All year (exterior); interior mainly at services
5Vinje ChurchHistory & culture
An octagonal wooden church from around 1820 just north of the E39 in Vinjeøra; it keeps a crucifix thought to date from the early 1100s.
Vinjeøra, by the E39 · 15 min · All year (exterior)
6Berit and Ove Aunli statueLocal oddity
A statue of the cross-country skiing couple Berit and Ove Aunli by Arne Mæland, unveiled in 2023 on the west side of the river mouth in Kyrksæterøra.
River mouth, Kyrksæterøra · 10 min · All year
7Halsa ChurchHistory & culture
A white cruciform wooden church built in 1724 after lightning burned its predecessor, at Halsanaustan by the E39 ferry quay over Halsafjorden.
Halsa, near the ferry quay at Halsanaustan · 15 min · All year (exterior)
8Valsøytunet restaurantFood & drink
A summer restaurant on Valsøya island serving à la carte in a barn from 1760 or a newer glass dining room; ERG-certified in 2022 for using local ingredients.
Valsøyvegen 1, Valsøya (former Halsa), off the road along Valsøyfjorden · 1–2 h · May–October (à la carte)
9Valsøyfjord ChurchHistory & culture
A white wooden long church from 1864 by architect Jacob Wilhelm Nordan, in the village of Valsøyfjord; it was formerly called Otnes church.
Valsøyfjord village, west side of Valsøyfjorden · 15 min · All year (exterior)
10OtnesbryggaHistory & culture
An old wharf building at Otnes in Valsøyfjord, restored to its original form and now a cultural centre that hosts a yearly gathering of vintage boats.
Otnes, Valsøyfjord · 15–30 min · Exterior all year; events mainly summer