Discover Meløy

Meløy combines cultural and historical sights with coastal and island experiences. On Meløya, a cultural heritage trail with information boards passes several cultural monuments. Beaches, nature reserves and water-based activities offer a change of pace. When planning your trip, consider whether you would most like to explore historic sites, landscapes or outdoor activities.

Cultural history in different locations

Meløy bygdemuseum offers insights into school and boarding school life for children in rural areas. Authentic classrooms have been preserved in a school building dating from 1923. Another exhibition explores the connection between fishing and farming, which shaped coastal life over several centuries. The museum does not have regular opening hours; group visits can be booked in advance.

At Ørnes handelssted, three buildings remain from a trading post that originally consisted of 12 to 14 houses: the main building, Gammelbakeriet and Smia. An exhibition in Gammelbakeriet tells the story of a sabotage operation during the Second World War, also known as Operation Muskedunder. Meløy kirke, also called Meløykatedralen, was inaugurated in July 1867. It is one of Norway’s largest wooden long churches and originally had seating for 800 people. The grounds at Meløygården in front of the church are thought to have been the medieval main residence of the Benkestok noble family and are among the few known noble residences in Nordland.

Sjyskaret is home to an Iron Age burial ground with seven burial mounds, a memorial stone and an information board. Svenningsheia has bunkers and remnants of gun emplacements from wartime. Støtt also has a rich trading history: it was once an important trading post for coastal sailors and is still located right on the shipping route. Støtt Old Trading Post is considered one of the best-preserved monuments to coastal culture in Nordland County. A guided tour of the fishing community is available; check availability before your trip.

Beaches, trails and island experiences

Bremnes beach on Meløya is a sandy beach with benches and a toilet. Spilderdalsbotn has sandy beaches, suitable camping spots and fishing opportunities in the lake with the purchase of a fishing licence. From the car park at Bremnes, it’s about one kilometre along a clearly marked trail or forest track through easy terrain to the shelter at Tømmerhella.

On Støtt, four to five kilometres of road with no significant inclines make it easy to explore the island by bicycle. You can also explore the Støtt archipelago by kayak, fishing boat or RIB. On Meløya, the route through Meløyværet starts at the small boat harbour at Tukthuset on the west side of the island. Kayaks can be launched there and rented from Meløy Skjærgårdsferie; check availability before your trip.

Be aware of the seasonal restriction for Flatværet and Varkgård: both are part of a nature reserve, and going ashore on the islands is not permitted from 15 April to 31 July. Check the current regulations before your visit. The easiest way to get to Meløya is by ferry from Ørnes or Vassdalsvik. Timetables vary by season and should be checked before your trip.

In the wider Meløy destination

The wider travel area also offers striking landscapes and cultural history. Svartisen is Norway’s second-largest glacier and the lowest-lying glacier on mainland Europe. Engabreen, also called Engenbreen, is a glacier tongue of Svartisen that extends towards Holandsfjord; it is visible from the Braset rest area on Kystriksveien, County Road 17. The rock art site at Fykan dates back to the Early Stone Age and is 8,000 to 9,500 years old. On Støtt, you can choose from four routes of varying difficulty: Svenningen rundt, Helløya rundt, Helløya-Innerstøtt rundt and Støttværet rundt. The wider Meløy destination therefore offers everything from glaciers and rock art history to routes of varying difficulty.

Discover more destinations: Halsa, Glomfjord, Reipå, Ørnes, Støtt, Ågskardet, Åmnes, Engavågen

Back to the wider travel overview: Meløy.