Skjoldastraumen

A still-used saltwater lock, views over a fjord and trails to cultural monuments give Skjoldastraumen its distinctive character. The lock system lies on the sea route through the Skjoldafjorden. During your stay, you can choose between cultural history and hikes in the landscape, taking into account the very different trail lengths and levels of difficulty.

The lock and swing bridge

The Skjoldastraumen locks opened in 1908. They remain the only actively used saltwater locks in Norway. The site is therefore not just a point on the sea route, but also a striking example of the town’s maritime history. If you are interested in engineering structures, it offers a tangible starting point for exploring Skjoldastraumen.

The lock is accompanied by an old swing bridge that has been restored and normally stands open. It crosses the lock and is protected at the national level by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. The bridge and the lock tell different aspects of the same place’s story: a structure still in use meets a protected historic structure.

Church and archaeological traces

Skjoldastraumen Church was consecrated in 1910. Its design is strongly inspired by stave church architecture. It was formerly also called Vordeneste or Skjoldastraumen Chapel. These names and the architectural influence give the church a distinctive place in the history of the area.

Older traces are also part of the cultural landscape. On a hill west of the locks lies a burial ground with two burial mounds from the Iron Age. Erland has numerous archaeological monuments, including more burial mounds, standing stones, rock shelters and hills with names of gods. Particularly unusual is the rare, ploughshare-shaped arrangement of the seven standing stones. Erland was probably a religious meeting place as early as the Early Iron Age, around 500 BC. The cautious dating is as much a part of the site’s history as the visible monuments.

Fjord views and trails on Freåsen

Freåsen is on the west side of the fjord and stands 152 metres high. From there, the view stretches across the entire fjord, from Skjold in the north to Borgøy in the south. At the summit stands the large boulder Bjolandskjerringa, which features in local legends.

The hike up Freåsen is considered easy and takes about 30 minutes each way. It passes several interesting cultural monuments; parking is available in Erland. This makes it possible to combine a manageable walk with expansive fjord views and stops of cultural and historical interest.

Hiking around Håland

The hike to Ørnå is a longer, moderately difficult option. Its starting point is at the turn-off from County Road 515 near Skjoldastraumen. A signposted road leads to Håland, where there is a signposted car park. The marked trail takes about 2 to 3 hours return and reaches an elevation of 454 metres. Near the summit, a striking rock formation resembles an eagle with outstretched wings. It provides a natural place to rest during the ascent.

If you are planning a shorter trip, you can take the trail to Måvatnet from the same starting point at Håland. The walk is listed as taking about 30 to 45 minutes. By comparison, Freåsen offers an easy walk of about 30 minutes each way, while Ørnå is a moderately difficult hike that takes more time. This lets you plan your day around your preferred walking time and the stated level of difficulty.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Skjoldastraumen, you could first consider whether you would like to focus on the lock system and cultural monuments, or on the trails to Freåsen, Ørnå and Måvatnet.

Discover more places

You can also explore these places within the destination: Tysvær, Hervik, Førre, Aksdal, Askeland, Nedstrand.

Back to the main travel overview: Tysvær.