Osterøy
Municipality · Vestland
About Osterøy
Norway's biggest 'inland island', a bridge hop from Bergen, with 17th-century farm buildings at Osterøy Museum and the 17th-century Hamre church.
What to do and where to stay in Osterøy
Places to stay are run locally, with no hotel or campsite chain behind them.
1Osterøy MuseumHistory & culture
Open-air museum at Gjerstad, founded in 1920, on textile and costume history, old building customs and crafts, with coffee and home baking.
Gjerstad 44, Lonevåg, mid-Osterøy · 1–2 h · summer weekdays late June–mid August; Sundays from March; otherwise by arrangement
2Havrå cluster farmHistory & culture
One of Norway's best-preserved cluster farms, still run the traditional way with old tools; visits only on a guided tour booked in advance.
Bruvikvegen 272, Haus, south side of Osterøy · 1 h tour · summer, guided tours only
3Hamre churchHistory & culture
Log church on the site of a stave church first recorded around 1024, with a door carved in the 1580s and a soapstone font from about 1250.
Hamre, west Osterøy · 20–30 min · outside all year; inside at services
4Mjøsvågen LandhandleriFood & drink
Waterfront café and village shop in a former metal factory in Mjøsvågen, selling local goat cheese, apple juice and plums, with a small history corner at the back.
Osterøyvegen 2142, Mjøsvågen (Hosanger), Lonevåg · 30–60 min · all year (Sept–Oct 2026: daily from 10)
5Flabellina floating saunaLocal oddity
Floating sauna at the innermost end of Mjøsvågen bay, a warm alternative when the fjord is too cold for a swim from the nearby beach.
Inner Mjøsvågen, Hosanger · 1–2 h · all year (listed 1 Jan–23 Dec 2026)
6BruviknipaHike
Perhaps Osterøy's most popular hike: a steep path, much of it on stone steps laid by 2025, from Båtaleitet to an 822 m top with fjord views.
Båtaleitet car park above Bruvik, east Osterøy · 3 h (about 5 km return, 479 m climb) · May–October (in winter start from Njåstad instead)
7HøgafjelletHike
At 868 m the highest point on Osterøy; the path climbs from the Osvatnet car park past Nedra Botnavatnet, with a rope on exposed parts.
Osvatnet car park, east Osterøy · 4–5 h return · summer–autumn
8KossdalssvinganeLocal oddity
A walk up 17 hairpin bends near Mjøsvågen, rated relatively easy and fine for all ages, about 1.5 hours there and back.
Near Mjøsvågen, Hosanger · 1.5 h return · all year
9Sperrneset beachSwim
Small sea beach by Hosanger church with two diving boards, a grass area and a simple barbecue spot, next to Mjøsvågen.
Osterøyvegen 2154, Hosanger (Mjøsvågen) · 1–2 h · summer
10'2000 years in 60 minutes' culture trailHike
Marked trail from Gjerstad church that follows paths people used some 2,000 years ago, past traces of prehistoric burials, with views over Gjerstad.
Gjerstad church, by Osterøy Museum, Lonevåg · about 1 h · all year (snow-free months best)