Hetlevik: Archaeology, Museum and Trails

Hetlevik appeals to travelers who want to consider local history and trails to green spaces when choosing where to stay. When looking for a hotel in Hetlevik, archaeological remains, traces of salt production and canning, and the Hetlevik Museum provide a tangible cultural context. Trails also lead to larger green spaces and the entrance to Follesemarka. The town’s description thus brings together historical themes and opportunities to spend time outdoors.

Archaeological traces in Hetlevik

The archaeological settlement in Hetlevik dates from 500 BC to AD 500. An Iron Age settlement lies beneath a rock overhang and is registered as Askeladden ID 91777-1. Together, the broad date range and the rock overhang provide two distinct points of reference for the archaeological site: its historical period and a specific feature of the settlement.

Salt production and museum history

The boathouse by Salteriet på Eidet in Hetlevik was built in 1912 and used for salt production. A local history museum was established in the former canning factory of Einar O. Hausvik & Co. A permanent exhibition of the Hetlevik Museum is located at Kulturfabrikken in Hetlevik; it covers the history of the former canning factory and local history. In this way, different aspects of the area’s production history are brought together in Hetlevik.

The permanent exhibition includes objects, texts, pictures, documents, maps and descriptions of cultural value to Hetlevik and Askøy. These include, among other things, furnishings from the former shop south of the canning factory. Its subject matter ranges from associations and organizations, everyday life, houses and households to seafaring, fishing, fish processing, trade, industry and other local activities. The exhibition thus connects the history of everyday life and work with the history of the area.

Plan a guided tour and trails

Guided tours at the Hetlevik Museum can be arranged by contacting Bente Fosse at 901 56 578 or bentfos@gmail.com. Check the contact details before your trip and arrange your visit accordingly.

In Hetlevik, trails lead to larger green spaces and the entrance to Follesemarka. If you plan to use these trails, check their condition locally. For travel to the area, also take into account the status of the ongoing Fv. 5246 infrastructure project: plans include a new 2,500-meter road from Slettebrekklia in the south to Hetlevik in the north, as well as a 600-meter tunnel to Hetlevik. Check the project status before driving.

Askøy as a wider travel destination

On Askøy, Askøy på langs offers a longer route: about 37 kilometers long, it runs from Kleppestø over the island’s highest points and through its densest forests to scenic Herdla, crossing varied terrain. A considerably shorter route is the trail from the parking lot by Siglingavatnet to Siglingabu: it is 1.2 kilometers long, entirely gravel, and accessible, including for people with disabilities, all the way to the cabin. The two trails therefore differ clearly in length and surface when planning excursions in the wider travel destination of Askøy.

Discover more destinations: Kjerrgarden, Kleppestø, Herdla, Strusshamn, Ask, Hauglandshella, Ramnanger, Davanger

Go to the main travel overview: Askøy.