Fotlandsvåg between fjord and farm life

Fotlandsvåg lies at the end of Fotlandsvågen, an arm of the Osterfjord, on the northwest side of the island of Osterøy. The river, farm life and the area's history lend a stay different accents, from a cycling loop through several places to swimming in the river. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can first consider whether you want to focus your trip on Fotlandsvåg itself or on other attractions on Osterøy.

Fjordside setting and local history

County Road 567 runs through Fotlandsvåg and makes it easy to find your way around. A prominent landmark associated with the area's history is Fjordslottet: in 1851, Bergen merchant Carl Joacim Hambro settled here and built the main house on a rise just beyond the end of Fotlandsvågen. Herlandsfoss power station stands above Fotlandsvågen, along the Herland watercourse. The house and the power station point to different chapters in the history and landscape around the fjord arm.

Cycling route and riverside experience

An approximately 27-kilometre cycling loop runs from Lonevåg via Storavatnet, Fotlandsvåg, Hosanger and Kossdalen, returning to Lonevåg. Allow about three hours for the loop. You can bring your own food or stop at Fjordslottet or Mjøsdalen Landhandleri along the way.

The Osterøy Badstue offers a different experience in the area. This self-service, wood-fired sauna is located on the riverbank in Fotlandsvåg. Guests can reach the river for a swim via a platform and ladder. The cycling loop and the sauna offer different ways to spend your time: one connects several stops on Osterøy, while the other makes the riverbank itself part of the visit.

Cheese dairy, farm shop and seasonal visits

Osterøy Ysteri is located in Bernes, Fotlandsvåg. Guests can take tours of the cheese dairy and the farm's barn; arrange your visit in advance. In summer, visits to the farm's mountain pasture in Tyssebotn are possible, where the animals spend the summer. The farm shop sells hides, yarn, wool, firewood, and seasonal products from its own garden and from nature. You can ask the operator about current product availability. The farm shop and tours offer different insights: into the products on offer, on the one hand, and the cheese dairy and barn, on the other.

Osterøy as a wider area to explore

Osterøy is an inland island surrounded by fjords. The island is home to other destinations, each with its own character. The Osterøy Museum is in Gjerstad, in the middle of the island, and explores the history of textiles and clothing, weaving, local building traditions, and the local history of Osterøy and Nordhordland. Havrå is one of Norway's best-preserved and most distinctive farm settlements; the settlement, which consists of several farms, is still farmed using traditional methods.

Den Grøne Fabrikken is in Mjøsvågen on Osterøy. It is a restored furniture factory in a historic setting of workshops and boathouses by the sea. Today, it is used for art, culture, experiences and various events. The programme includes creative workshops, painting classes, yoga sessions, lectures and concerts; specific programme details may change. These cultural attractions add further perspectives on the island to Fotlandsvåg's local offerings.

Choosing the right base

If you want your stay to focus mainly on the riverside sauna, farm shop, cheese dairy tour and cycling route through Fotlandsvåg, you can look specifically for a holiday apartment in the area. If you also plan to visit the museum, traditional farm landscape or cultural attractions elsewhere on Osterøy, consider their importance to your trip and where you would like to stay.

Discover more destinations: Tyssebotnen, Valestrandfossen, Lonevåg, Bruvik, Bernes, Tysso.

Return to the main travel guide: Osterøy.