Rognaldsvåg on Reksta: Herring History and Hiking

Rognaldsvåg on Reksta

Rognaldsvåg is located on the island of Reksta and is separated from the island of Kinn by Kinnasundet. This well-preserved, densely built fishing village combines a rich history of herring fishing with routes for walking and cycling. To get your bearings, it is worth considering two aspects: the village’s history is closely connected with fishing, while the described routes extend beyond the village to Reksta and the surrounding area.

Herring Fishing and Village History

In 1860, Rognaldsvåg was the largest settlement on the coast of Sogn og Fjordane. During the busiest months of the herring fishery, the population rose from about 300 permanent residents to more than 3,000. The difference between the permanent residents and the seasonal peak illustrates the temporary nature of those fishing months.

Most of the stone walls of the former fishing sheds are still standing and are intended to serve as a reminder of the important herring fishery of the 19th century. The historic trading house housed the general store for a hundred years, until 1993. The general store operating in Rognaldsvåg today was founded by Lyder Sunde in 1893. The history of trade and the surviving stone walls thus add different aspects of the village’s past to the picture of this fishing village.

Practical Information for Visitors

A shop at the quay in Rognaldsvåg has a shower and toilet in the basement. Ask at the shop about them. As facilities can change, check their current condition there before using them.

Hiking on Reksta

The Reksta hike starts at the scheduled boat dock in Rognaldsvåg and passes through Ytre and Indre Reksta. The route alternates between a well-worn, marked hiking trail and paved village roads, so the surface is not the same throughout. One option follows the southern side of the island to Selvåg and returns via three mountains. The full hike is listed as approximately 13 kilometres. You can also return along the same route, so the hike is not limited to a circular loop. Markings and surfaces can change; check the current route and trail conditions before setting out. The approximate total distance and changing surfaces are two concrete points of reference for assessing the nature of the hike.

On the hike, you can enjoy a diverse range of birdlife and are very likely to encounter sheep.

Cycling to Rognsøya

A cycling tour on Reksta crosses a bridge to Rognsøya, which is in the area surrounding the destination. There you can see numerous old fishing sheds and houses. The tours have different stated focuses: the hiking route highlights the itinerary, the option to return the same way, and the approximate total distance; the cycling route leads to the old buildings on Rognsøya.

Discover more destinations: Florø, Svortevik, Barekstad, Tansøy, Eikefjord, Stavang.

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