Atløy: Views, Rock Art and History

Atløyna lies in the Vilnesfjord and offers opportunities for hiking. If you are considering Atløy as a destination for a hotel stay, its landscape features and historical sites give you a concrete impression of the island. These include Skredvarden, Brurastakken, the rock art at Leirvåg and the historic trading post of Sauesund.

Landscape and Viewpoints on Atløyna

At 636 metres, Skredvarden is the highest point on Atløyna. On the island’s southern side, Brurastakken is a distinctive rock formation and a landmark. It is also a viewpoint. Three white limestone bands run down the slope there like a veil. The two places represent different landscape features: Skredvarden is defined by its height, while Brurastakken is defined by its location, rock formation and the pale bands on the slope.

Hiking is one way to experience Atløyna. Those especially interested in distinctive rock formations will find something different at Brurastakken than at the island’s highest point.

Rock Art and Historic Sites

The rock art at Leirvåg is located on Atløyna and is spread across six fields in total. It adds a cultural focus to the island’s landscape features. Sauesund is also on Atløyna, on its southeastern side and directly on the coastal route. The settlement is an old trading post, adding a historical note alongside the island’s high points.

Sauesund is also home to the crab factory, said to be one of the first in Norway. This remains a qualified historical attribution. On Veten, which is 326 metres high, there are believed to be stone remains of a former watch hut. The trading history, the crab factory and the possible former watch hut offer different points of interest for travellers interested in the island’s history.

Planning Your Stay

A direct ferry connection runs from the Gjervik ferry terminal to the centre of Askvoll; the crossing takes about ten minutes. Check the timetable when planning your trip. Another local landmark is a sports facility with an artificial turf pitch near Atløy School and the Atløy Cultural Centre.

More Destinations in the Greater Askvoll Area

The natural landscape of the greater Askvoll area ranges from fjords and mountains to the outer island archipelago. This includes the Sørværet Nature Reserve near Værlandet, a protected wetland in the municipality of Askvoll. Wildlife you might spot in the reserve includes seals, otters, eagles and deer; sightings are not guaranteed.

The wider range of activities in the greater Askvoll area also includes hikes on Værlandet and Bulandet, where there are several established trails. Nordsjøløypa is one of the longer routes and includes flat terrain, a few peaks and signposted viewpoints. Check the signs on site. Another hike leads to the summit of the island of Alden, at 481 metres, and offers panoramic views; weather and trail conditions may vary. As an alternative type of outing, the Værlandet–Bulandet cycling route is about 10.8 kilometres long and runs from the ferry terminal on Værlandet to the terminal on Bulandet.

The cultural history of the greater Askvoll area also includes the rock art site at Cape Staveneset. It comprises eleven areas with Bronze Age rock carvings dating from approximately 1800 to 500 BC, mostly depicting boats. The rock art at Leirvåg on Atløyna and the site at Cape Staveneset are two distinct points of interest for those interested in the history and culture of the Askvoll area.

Discover more destinations: Kvammen, Stongfjorden, Holmedal, Bulandet, Askvoll, Korssund, Værlandet.

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Askvoll.