Discover Settemsøran: Hiking Trails, River Park and Paddling Ideas

Settemsøran combines marked hiking trails with a small riverside park and opportunities to see the surrounding area from the water. There are also local markets and activities at Elvanesset. To plan your trip, consider what kind of day you would like: one of the signposted hiking routes, time in the park or a trip on the water.

Hiking trails of different lengths

The Municipality of Surnadal’s activity plan for 2023–2026 lists three marked hiking trails starting in Settemsøran. The Settemsøran–Svarttjønna trail is 6 kilometres long. The Settemsøran–Bølandet–Bøgeilen route is also 6 kilometres long. At 10 kilometres, the trail via Nordstranda to Heggemsneset is longer. You can begin your selection by comparing the stated distances and destinations. Distance alone does not indicate how long a trail takes to walk or how difficult it is.

If you are travelling with people who have different interests, the trail names and lengths can help with an initial comparison: two routes are the same length, while the route to Nordstranda and Heggemsneset covers more kilometres. When choosing a holiday apartment, it may therefore be useful to think in advance about whether hiking will be a focus of your stay and which of the routes mentioned interests you.

River park, cycling and paddling ideas

When it opened in 2017, the small riverside park included a pump track with banked turns and waves. The park also had a sandbox and terraces with benches and tables. These offer different ways to take a break or enjoy some outdoor activity. As the condition of the facilities has not been checked recently, we recommend confirming it before your visit.

Various paddling routes have been mapped from Elvaneset. If you are considering a trip on the water, you can use these routes as inspiration for further planning and check local conditions in advance. The mapped routes do not imply that rentals are available or that there is an operating launch site.

Local activities at Elvanesset

Stønt Restaurant is located on Elvanesset in Settemsøran. It serves a range of hot meals and typical kiosk items. Seating on a veranda offers views across the entire fjord. Opening hours, food and seating may change; check the latest information before planning your visit.

There is also a campsite and a guest harbour on Elvanesset. The guest harbour has sanitary facilities. Before your trip, check that the campsite is operating and that the harbour facilities are available. Gammelskulen Skrot & Gjenbruk holds flea and Christmas markets at Gammelskulen. As no set dates are given, we recommend checking the market dates before planning a visit around one.

You can first decide which experiences matter to you, then base your search for a holiday apartment on them.

More to discover in the wider destination of Surnadal

In the wider destination of Surnadal, Svinviks arboretum is set between steep mountains and the Todalsfjord. Its collection includes 350 rhododendron species and hundreds of conifer species. A summer café adds to what is on offer during the season; check whether it will be open when you visit.

Vaulen offers another kind of nature experience in the Surnadal destination: it is a state-secured recreational area. Marked trails lead from the ends of the roads at Krokvatnet or Solåsvatnet to Vaulen, a distance of about 4 kilometres. Renting Vaulen includes the use of a canoe and a boat. Check the latest rental information if you would like to include this option in your plans.

Cultural destinations in Surnadal include Kallastuå, an art museum and gallery on Telesbøen named after the late visual artist Kalla Skrøvseth, as well as the Åsen local heritage museum. This traditional open-air museum includes buildings from different periods and local history collections. Exhibitions can be visited by prior booking and during events; the grounds are open at all times, including when the exhibitions are closed.

Discover more destinations: Bølandet, Surna, Surnadalsøra, Surnadal, Kvanne, Stangvik, Todalen, Torvik.

Back to the main travel overview: Surnadal.