Bru – Cultural Trail, Cultural Landscape and Island History

Explore Bru on foot, among outdoor art, coastal nature and traces of early settlement. Two routes offer different experiences: the Bru cultural trail crosses the island, while a marked circular hiking trail on the farm grounds leads to Bruhalsen and Bruhåve. Choose your outing depending on whether you’d like to experience art and cultural history or take a walk through the island’s natural surroundings.

The Bru Cultural Trail: Art and Cultural Landscape

The three-kilometre Bru cultural trail begins on the grounds of Kulturbruket 44/4. There are 15 outdoor artworks along the route. The trail was established in 2008, when Stavanger was a European Capital of Culture. It leads through woodland, gardens and pastureland, as well as coastal nature; along the way, you’ll pass an old settlement site and burial mounds. At the trail’s endpoint near Bruhåve stands a granite throne.

Another option is the marked circular hiking trail on the farm grounds. The full loop is approximately five kilometres long and leads to Bruhalsen and Bruhåve. Bruhåve lies approximately 40 metres above sea level and offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. For planning your day, you can choose between a three-kilometre cultural route and an approximately five-kilometre loop; the routes also differ in their destinations and focus.

Heathland, Rock Carvings and Historic Sites

Heathland in the western part of Bru reaches elevations of up to 91 metres above sea level. This includes Brufjellet in the southwest. Those interested in rock art can visit the rock-carving site at Ørnavigå, where boat and ship depictions predominate. The island also has the remains of an old stone church and many burial mounds. These sites add further aspects of the island’s history to the cultural trail.

Ingvarbakken is another landmark on Bru. It lies on the south side of the island and offers views towards the city. In 2020, Ingvarbakken received Stavanger’s heritage conservation award. Its location and award make it a destination in its own right for visitors interested in the island’s architectural and cultural history as well as hiking.

Harbour Setting and Kulturbruket

Sjøhuset, also known as Sildesalteriet, stands at Bruveien 222 and was built around 1850. It is a landmark of Bru’s harbour setting. Traditional craftsmanship and reuse were central to its restoration and maintenance; the building includes an integrated living area. Sjøhuset thus connects a specific historic site with an approach to the building centred on preservation and craftsmanship.

Kulturbruket 44/4 is a converted barn with bright spaces for small and large events, as well as a commercial kitchen. The complex also includes eight double rooms with bathrooms. Kulturbruket is used for art, culture, parties and celebrations. Small concerts are occasionally held there, and chamber musicians return to the barn regularly. Visitors to Bru for its cultural venues can discover this as another aspect of the island, without limiting their stay to a single attraction.

Getting to Bru and Holidaying on the Island

Bru is connected to the mainland by a bridge to Sokn. The Byfjord Tunnel also connects Bru with Harestad in Randaberg; it forms part of the Rennfast connection on the E39. These connections are useful to know when choosing Bru as a holiday destination. When choosing a holiday apartment on Bru, you can also consider which outings you’d like to shape your stay: art along the cultural trail, the approximately five-kilometre loop or the island’s cultural venues. If you’re travelling with a dog, dogs must be kept on a lead on Bru year-round; sheep and cattle graze on the island.

More places to discover: Mosterøy, Østhusvik and Rennesøy.

Back to the main travel overview: Rennesøy.