Råkvåg: Herring history between wharves and coast

If you are looking for a hotel in Råkvåg, the historic wharves, the Fisheries Museum and the paths by the water can shape your impression of the place. Råkvåg is home to the largest collection of herring wharves outside Norway’s larger cities. Bryggerekka is signposted for visitors; the old cannery is also signposted.

Herring fishing and historic wharves

The preserved row of wharves has its roots in the prosperous herring fishery around 1600. The buildings offer a way to understand the long-standing importance of herring to Råkvåg: the Råkvåg Canning cannery was founded in 1914 and processed the “silver of the sea.” It operated for about 20 years. Hasselvoldbrygga also tells the story of this work. It is one of the oldest wharves in the row and was probably built in 1770 or 1771. Historically, it was used for salting herring and storing nets.

Another building with an industrial history is Salteriet Kulturbrygge, formerly called Storbrygga and built in 1914. Herring was salted and cut there; nets and other equipment were also stored there. Today, the building houses a Fisheries Museum that tells the story of Råkvåg. The row of wharves brings together different traces of the fishing industry: preserved warehouse buildings, herring processing and the stories told by the museum.

Exhibitions, art and local stories

Bryggeutstillinga is a sales exhibition featuring art by local and national artists. A new edition is held every summer; each annual exhibition has its own theme and displays works by artists from Råkvåg and other parts of Norway. In this way, the exhibition program combines local art with changing themes. If the exhibition is important to your travel plans, check the dates in advance.

Stilleberget also adds a personal local story to the surroundings. The site is near the wharves and is named after Stille Johansen, who lived in Vågen around 1700. The described “Råkvåg anno 1930” concept includes casting a shore seine, cooking herring and a tasting. The Skarven pub in Marthabrygga is also associated with concerts. If you have a particular event in mind, it is a good idea to check dates and access options before your trip.

Walking routes and bathing spot

For a longer outing, a ten-kilometre route runs from Krinsvatnet along the Nordelva river to the centre of Råkvåg. The route links the starting point by the lake with the river and the town centre. As route conditions can change, check them before setting out. A walk along Bryggerekka is another way to take in the historic buildings; Marthabrygga is a starting point for this walk.

Øykskjæret, the municipal bathing spot, is in the centre of Råkvåg. The shoreline has rocky areas and a beach; depending on the water level, there are also some muddy ground and sandy beach. The conditions by the water therefore depend on local circumstances. For a stay focused on the coast, Øykskjæret offers a different emphasis from the fishing history of Bryggerekka.

Facilities at Marthabrygga

Marthabrygga has an 80-metre guest pier as well as sanitary facilities, electricity and water. As the availability of these facilities should be checked before travelling, confirm them in advance if needed. When choosing where to stay, you can weigh up whether your trip will focus mainly on the historic buildings, exhibitions, a walk by the water or the bathing spot.

Discover more destinations: Sørfjorden, Fevåg, Hasselvika, Stadsbygd, Rissa.

Go to the parent travel overview: Rissa.