Stadlandet: Coastal Scenery, Culture and Activities

Landscape Between Mountains and Sea

Stadlandet is one of 51 nationally selected cultural landscapes in Norwegian agriculture. The landscape ranges from mountain plateaus and steep sea cliffs to bright green lowlands, heathland, and moors. It also includes species-rich hay meadows, natural pastures, and extensive coastal heathland. So if you plan your stay with the scenery in mind, you’ll find more than just a single coastal view: highlands, open spaces, and the sea offer different impressions of the same destination.

A prominent landmark is Vestkapp, the westernmost mountain plateau on mainland Norway. The Kjerringa plateau at Vestkapp lies 496 metres above the Stadhavet and offers one of the most spectacular viewpoints on the Norwegian coast. On the Stad peninsula, you can also hike at high elevations with the open sea directly before you.

Getting There and Outdoor Excursions

You can reach Stadlandet by car via a county road from Nordfjordeid and the rest of Nordfjord. The drive passes through open, scenic coastal landscapes with views of fjords, mountains, and the sea. Check the route and conditions before setting off. The hikes described here offer different starting points for planning your time in the area: a trail from Ervik leads to Hovden, where you can enjoy far-reaching views across the sea and Stad’s dramatic landscape. Conditions along the route can change.

Hushornet is a 280-metre-high peak near Ervik on Stadlandet. The round trip is estimated to take about two hours. The trail conditions are important to consider when planning: the path is unmarked apart from a few posts, and a guide is recommended.

Surfing and Stand-Up Paddling

Hoddevik combines a white sand beach with consistent waves, framed by steep mountains and the open sea. Surfing conditions depend on the weather and season. Ervik has an active surfing community and offers good conditions for much of the year, also depending on the weather. Hoddevik Surf House accepts bookings for drop-in surf lessons from both its own guests and other visitors. As booking policies can change, check the options in advance.

Stand-up paddling options also vary by location and body of water. In Hoddevik, you can rent a SUP board from Hoddevik Surf House and paddle in the bay; the activity is suitable for beginners and experienced paddlers alike. Availability can change. In Ervik, SUP users can pick up a board at the shop and paddle on the calm waters of Dalsbøvatnet. The lake is suitable for beginners or a leisurely outing. Rental policies and local conditions can vary seasonally.

History and Memorial Sites

Ervik preserves memories of the Sanct Svithun disaster at various places and in different forms. Ervik Church displays, among other things, a ship’s megaphone, a life ring, and a memorial plaque, as well as several paintings and photographs. A memorial chapel in Ervik commemorates the St. Svithun disaster in autumn 1943. The chapel and the memorial items in the church are two separate places to learn about this historic event.

Further traces of the past can be found at Dragseidet and Kongshaugen. Dragseidet is an old coastal route that was used to avoid the exposed Stadhavet; it is believed to be one of the oldest constructed roads in western Norway. On Kongshaugen, a stone cross commemorates the forced Christianisation at the assembly of 997. Stadlandet also has remains of Atlantic Wall installations, linked to the peninsula’s strategic importance during the Second World War. Together, these places offer different historical perspectives, from older routes and events to installations from the 20th century.

Discover more destinations: Flatraket, Selje, Barmen.

Go to the main travel overview: Selje.