Solund
Municipality · Vestland
About Solund
A lighthouse safari to Utvær, Norway's westernmost lighthouse, the local mail boat out to Gåsvær's old trading post, and sea kayaking among the skerries.
What to do and where to stay in Solund
Places to stay are run locally, with no hotel or campsite chain behind them.
1Utvær fyr – Norway's westernmost lighthouseHistory & culture
A cast-iron lighthouse from 1900 on Norway's westernmost island group, with ruins of a chapel moved in 1718 and rock marks said to come from Vikings sharpening swords.
Utvær, about 8 km west of Ytre Sula (boat only) · full day (boat about 09:15–16:40 from Gulen, roughly 2.5 h on the island) · summer (Saturday boat trips late June to early August); other times on request
2Mail boat from Hardbakke to Gåsvær and BulandetLocal oddity
The local post route threads narrow sounds past Lågøystolane's rounded rocks and stops 30 minutes at Gåsvær, a former trading post with three residents.
Departs Hardbakke quay · most of a day (11:00 departure; about 2 h ashore on Bulandet before returning) · summer (route described from July trips)
3PollatindenHike
Called 'the Queen of the Archipelago', this 541 m peak is Solund's classic summit, reached on a steep, rocky 3.9 km round trip.
Sula, trailhead about 20 min drive from Krakhella ferry quay · 2–3 h (3.9 km return, 541 m ascent) · all year (listed for all seasons)
4RamnenipaHike
A green-graded walk from the sports field above Hardbakke to a 232 m top with a guestbook and views over the village and the islands.
Above Hardbakke centre, start at the end of the football pitch · about 1 h return (232 m ascent) · all year (crampons in snow)
5Sognesjøhytta day cabinHike
A 40-minute path with 16 boardwalk and stair sections over conglomerate rock and bog leads to an open cabin with a fireplace looking over Sognesjøen.
South of Hardbakke, path from the sports park by Solund Senter · about 1.5 h return (40 min each way from the sports park) · all year
6Solund kyrkjeHistory & culture
A white wooden long church from 1860, drawn by Christian Henrik Grosch, that served as Solund's main church until the parishes merged in 2000.
Hardbakke village · 15–30 min · all year (outside); inside at services
7Hersvik kyrkjeHistory & culture
A white wooden church from 1891 in the village of Hersvikbygda on north Sula, modelled on Fedje church and built for about 8,500 kroner.
Hersvikbygda, north shore of Sula, about 20 km north of Hardbakke · 15–30 min · all year (outside)
8Draumeparken disc golf courseLocal oddity
Free disc golf on a 20-hole course laid out through Hardbakke in 2017, with a shorter course at Idrettsparken for beginners.
Hardbakke · 1–2 h · all year (snow-free months best)
9HavkroaFood & drink
A summer café-restaurant at Hjønnevåg on Ytre Sula beside the rorbu cabins, a natural lunch stop on the cycle loop via Daløy and Nåra.
Hjønnevåg, Ytre Sula (next to Solund Rorbuferie) · 45–60 min · summer holidays only
10Husøy kyrkje, KolgrovHistory & culture
A white wooden church from 1896 at Kolgrov whose congregation goes back to the medieval chapel on Utvær, moved to Husøy islet around 1718 and to Kolgrov in 1896.
North side of Kolgrov, west coast of Ytre Sula · 15–30 min · all year (outside; interior at services)