Urangsvåg: Beach, Cycling Route and Granite History

Urangsvåg can be explored through three themes: the public bathing area at Djupedalen, a cycling route that passes through the village, and the history of granite quarrying in the area around Urangsvågen. This lets you give different weight to water, activity and local history when choosing your destination.

Water and beach at Djupedalen

Djupedalen is a public bathing area in Urangsvågen. The beach is long and gently sloping. By the shore, there is a landscaped area for sitting and sunbathing, as well as tables and benches. Crabs and starfish can also be found on the beach. More experienced swimmers have opportunities for jumping and diving.

On the north shore, you can fish from the shore; the beach is also suitable for kayaking. There are a few parking spaces near the beach. Since parking conditions can change, it is worth checking the current situation briefly before setting off.

Walking loop and orientation

The circular route goes around Sandviksvatnet, climbs towards Dyravatnet and returns to Urangsvåg. This describes a loop that starts and ends in the village. For another walking reference, it takes 25 minutes to walk from the harbor in Urangsvåg to the municipal administration center in Svortland. The actual walking time may vary depending on your pace.

Urangsvåg by bike

The cycling tour “Cycling in a coastal setting – Svortland – Brandasund” reaches Urangsvåg 1.5 kilometers from Hollundskjosen. This distance refers to the section leading to the village; the entire tour is 32.9 kilometers long and has an elevation difference of 58 meters.

The route crosses several islands connected by bridges and offers views across the island landscape. In Urangsvåg, it leads to a sheltered harbor. Visitors can moor their boats in the municipal harbor. On the tour, the road towards Brandasund is narrow and hilly in places—a route feature to bear in mind when assessing the cycling tour as a whole.

Granite and local history

Granite was quarried in the area around Urangsvågen. Stone extracted nearby was known as Bømlogranite, Rolvsnes granite or Rolvsnes granodiorite. Quarrying probably peaked around 1900; more than 40 men were employed during this peak period. Most of the Bømlogranite from the area was shipped to Bergen.

Bømlogranite was used in several buildings in Bergen: the Kjøttbasaren, built in 1874; the entrance portal of the former Bergen Technical School on Strømgaten, built in 1876 and later known as Bergen Academy of Art and Design; and Sandvikskirken, built in 1881. Sandvikskirken is clad in Bømlogranite. Håkon A. Urangsæter is also part of the local history: he was one of the most skilled stonemasons and came from the small village of Urangsætre in Urangsvågen.

A little more about Bømlo

On the wider travel destination of Bømlo, Siggjo is the highest mountain at 474 meters. From there, the view stretches from Folgefonna in the east to Haugesund in the south. The ascent includes around 1,010 Sherpa-built steps on Laksatrappo, as well as several rest areas. This information relates to Bømlo and complements the local themes of beach, cycling route and granite history in Urangsvåg.

Discover more destinations: Langevåg, Bremnes, Håvik, Rubbestadneset, Brandasund, Mosterhamn, Finnås, Lykling.

For the wider travel guide: Bømlo.