Discover Abelvær

Abelvær lies at the southern end of Nærøysund. This fishing village offers a historic waterfront, walks along the shore and paths through the coastal landscape. Paddling routes lead into the archipelago around Abelvær; meanwhile, Abelvær Gård and the history of the trading post tell the story of the place’s past. These topics offer different ways to get your bearings and understand Abelvær as a destination.

Getting your bearings at the marina

The marina is in Abelvær’s fishing harbour, sheltered behind the breakwater. It has a 51-metre guest dock. The “Abelvær rundt” route also starts at the marina, where parking is available. A municipal description from January 2022 also mentions an information board there with an overview of paddling routes. If you plan to use the board for navigation, check the signage on site.

Paddling routes and coastal landscape

“Abelvær rundt” runs around the headland by the beacon and along the shore, on the inner side of Foldaholmen. There are also several paddling routes around Abelvær and on the surrounding islands. According to the route description, which route is suitable also depends on the wind, weather and desired level of difficulty; check local route conditions.

A kayaking trip explores the archipelago, with its skerries and islets, white sandy beaches and birdlife. You can rent kayaks in Abelvær; Abelvær idrettslag rents out kayaks, canoes and rowboats. Confirm availability before use. Explore Ytre Namdal offers guided kayaking trips with experienced guides. Check availability and dates before booking.

Exploring on foot

In Abelvær, you can walk along the shore. Hiking trails around the village lead to viewpoints and nature experiences, and paths extend to the tip of the island. From Abelvær fyrlykt, the view stretches across Folda. A walk along the shore and a hike to the tip offer different perspectives on the coast.

Abelvær also has bathing beaches. Several white sandy beaches are near Abelvær Naustkafé; the closest is 20 metres away. This distance refers to the area around the café, not all parts of Abelvær.

Fishing village and trading history

At the waterfront, you can see a traditional fishing village with attractive buildings and a historic past. The history of the trading post on the coast of Trøndelag at Abelvær Gård dates back to the 19th century. The shop section of Abelvær Gård was built in 1870; in 2009, the farm received the “Olavsrosa” quality mark from the Norsk Kulturarv foundation.

From 1802, the Brandtzæg family ran a trading business, fish processing, net-making, freight shipping and farming in Abelvær. These activities show the different facets of the village’s history: trade and processing were just as much a part of it as shipping and farming. Together with the view of the fishing village along the waterfront, this history offers another way to discover Abelvær, alongside the trails and waterside experiences.

Getting there and the cycling route

The Foldafjord express boat serves the Namsos–Jøa–Abelvær–Rørvik–Leka route. If you plan to travel by boat, check the current timetable. The express boat is also relevant to the Landnåmsvegen cycling route: the 37-kilometre route runs between Rørvik and the fishing village of Abelvær in Nærøysund, and you can start it by taking an express boat from Namsos to Abelvær or Rørvik. Check current departure times separately.

Discover more destinations: Naustbukta, Foldereid, Salsbruket, Ottersøya, Nærøy, Kolvereid.

Back to the main travel overview: Nærøy.