Discover Stamnes: Fjord, hiking trails and culture

Stamnes lies at the innermost end of the Veafjord, where steep slopes and deep blue fjord waters shape the landscape. From the village centre, the Veafjord stretches between steep mountains and farms with no road access towards Stanghelle. The scenery combines a striking fjord setting with a history reflected in the church, boathouses and salmon fishing facility. If you are looking for a holiday rental in Stamnes, you can first consider whether you would prefer to spend your time hiking, making archaeological discoveries or exploring the history of salmon fishing. These themes offer different perspectives on the village.

Fjord landscape and getting your bearings

From the E16 at Dalseid, you can reach Stamnes via county road 569; the drive takes about 15 minutes. The approximate travel time helps you plan your journey, while the route also gives you a sense of where the village is. There is a guest jetty and a boat fuel station in the centre. At the quay, you can rent kayaks through Stamnes Idrettslag; check availability before your trip. This adds opportunities on the water to the hiking and cultural activities. The view from the village centre across the fjord, between mountains and farms with no road access, shows how strongly the water and terrain shape the character of Stamnes.

Hiking trails and Skipshelleren

The trail to Geithaugen, behind the village centre, is a family-friendly hiking destination; animal figures along the path make for an eye-catching feature. Shorter hikes in the Stamnes area include Slåttøyane and Bygdehytta by Tresvatnet in Øyadalen. These give you two specific destinations to choose from if you would like to include a short walk in your stay.

Skipshelleren in Straume/Stamnes offers a different focus: this Stone Age dwelling site has been in use for more than 7,000 years. You can reach it by boat from the fjord or via a marked trail from the Dæmring bus stop. There are information boards, a toilet, a fire pit and a quay on site. As the condition of the facilities may change, check before your visit. The boat and marked trail provide two different ways to access this archaeological site.

Church, boathouses and salmon fishing culture

The history of the church site can also be traced in Stamnes. The first stave church was built on the burial mounds at the present-day church site; a new church was built there in 1861. Stamnes Church is a wooden long church built in 1861, with around 250 seats. At the same site, you can encounter both the memory of the earlier stave church and the actual 19th-century building.

In Straume, a protected row of 19th-century boathouses adds to this historical perspective. The boathouses are built using the Grindverk construction method. This building technique is a distinctive architectural detail alongside the history of the church and the area’s earlier use.

A particularly striking testament to the fishing culture is the traditional salmon fishing facility preserved at Stamnes. It is located on a rocky platform 20 metres above the fjord. At the salmon fishing facility in Stamnes, Bygdasjarm offers a guided tasting and nature experience exploring the identity, culture and history of salmon fishing. It also includes locally produced food; the offering may vary from one visit to another. Check booking and availability before making this a firm part of your plans. This way, you can discover the facility both as preserved cultural heritage and through a guided exploration of the history of salmon fishing.

Discover more destinations: Vaksdal, Eidslandet, Stanghelle, Kyrkjebø.

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