Sele: Culture and hiking trails in the surrounding area

If you are looking for a hotel in Sele, the activities you are interested in during your stay may also play a role in choosing your destination. Nearby, you will find cultural and historical points of interest and trails on Hellesøy. The wider destination of Øygarden also offers museums, coastal routes, nature areas, and seasonal experiences.

Culture and trails nearby

Hjelme gamle kyrkje, the old Hjelme Church, is a stop on the Hellesøy route, near a maritime cultural heritage area. After a two-year restoration, it reopened in autumn 2019; it was intended for use for concerts and cultural events. The church thus connects a historic cultural setting with planned cultural use.

In southern Hellesøy, the 1.6-kilometer Nautnes–Trollvatn section of the Nordsjøløypa runs through a popular cabin area and cultural landscape. It also offers beautiful views of the sea. On Hellesøy, the Nordsjøløypa follows old roads and paths, and there is also a network of trails. Trails to Gløvrebu start from the cemetery in Staksmyra and from Sæle.

History in Øygarden

In the wider destination of Øygarden, the North Sea Traffic Museum in Telavåg has exhibitions about the Telavåg tragedy, the coastal resistance movement, and the escape route across the North Sea to the United Kingdom during the Second World War. The museum’s North Sea Traffic Exhibition also includes a 25-minute film about the Telavåg tragedy.

Another historical site is Fjell Fortress: Russarstegen is a section of the Nordsjøløypa that leads to the fortress built by prisoners during the Second World War. Øygarden therefore offers a choice of both museum exhibitions and a historic destination along a hiking route.

Hiking and nature in Øygarden

The routes vary considerably in length. The Tjeldstø–Alvheim–Hovden loop in Øygarden is 9 kilometers long and takes about 3.5 hours to walk. This makes it considerably longer than the 1.6-kilometer Nautnes–Trollvatn section near Sele.

The Seløy–Gløvrebu route follows a marked, gently undulating trail and offers views of the sea, with its islets and skerries. At Gløvrebu, visitors stopping for a break can use a fire pan and small fire pits. The Anekletten route is marked with Nordsjøløypa logos; Anekletten itself is a 60-meter-high viewpoint.

The Hildringsbu birdwatching hut is located on Skogsøyna and is open during the season. Check seasonal access before your visit. The Skogsøyna recreation area offers opportunities for fishing and swimming. A total of 195 bird species have been recorded in Tjeldstømarka Nature Reserve.

In Øygarden, Ormhilleren is an open, child-friendly recreation area with a large, sheltered bathing bay with shell sand. From there, Kyststien runs along the west side, and Kystvaktstien follows the sea beneath the Rongesund Bridge. On Algrøyna in Øygarden municipality, the Barmane recreation area offers sheltered waters, mooring facilities, and bays with shell sand. Recreational fishing takes place there both from the sea and from land.

Seasonal experiences and food

The Øygarden Visitor Center’s seasonal visitor program for 2026 includes a guided RIB boat trip to an operational fish farm. An experienced fish farmer explains how Norwegian salmon and rainbow trout are produced. Check the current dates and season for the activity before planning your visit.

For the 2026 season, Øygarden Opplevelser lists a fishing and crabbing expedition departing from the provider’s base in Vik, a village in Øygarden. The expedition includes preparing the crab caught and tasting fresh crab straight from the pot. Check dates and booking terms in advance.

The seasonal Water Stories offering includes a 2026 lunch at Porsvika 125 in the Øygarden archipelago. The venue is considered a historic meeting place. Check the current season for the offering before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Tjeldstø, Hellesøy, Rong

For the wider travel overview: Øygarden.