Bjoa: Cultural Trail, Hillfort and Blueberries

Bjoa appeals to travellers who want to make cultural traces and personal discoveries the focus of their days. The Kulturstien–Utbjoaneset trail at Utbjoa has five burial mounds; the trail is about three kilometres long and splits at the inner end of the Utbjoavågen, making a circular walk possible. At Steinslandssåto, the remains of a hillfort and established climbing routes offer something more. In Utbjoa, Alfred Mitchell’s blueberry garden invites visitors to pick their own blueberries. These different destinations give the choice of a holiday apartment in Bjoa a specific focus.

Cultural traces along the Kulturstien

The Kulturstien–Utbjoaneset trail combines a manageable length with a clearly described route. At the inner end of the Utbjoavågen, the approximately three-kilometre-long trail splits, making a circular walk possible. Five burial mounds lie along the Kulturstien today. The archaeological traces are therefore part of the walk, rather than appearing only as a single destination. Those interested in history can include the mounds in their walk through the landscape. The length and route provide different points of reference: the approximate distance describes the trail, while the split explains how a loop is possible.

Hillfort and climbing routes at Steinslandssåto

Steinslandssåto offers a different focus. The remains of a hillfort are located on the mountain near Bjoa. The summit is 249 metres above sea level and rises about 50 metres above the surrounding terrain. From the top, it is said that you can see seven church parishes. There are also established climbing routes at Steinslandssåto. This mountain thus brings together historical traces, elevation and climbing as different points of interest. By contrast, the Kulturstien is defined by its length, the possibility of a circular walk and its burial mounds.

Pick your own blueberries

Another special activity in Bjoa is Alfred Mitchell’s blueberry garden in Utbjoa. Visitors can pick their own blueberries there. Check the garden’s visitor arrangements before your trip. Together with the Kulturstien and Steinslandssåto, it offers a choice of different themes for planning your day: a walk featuring cultural traces, a mountain with a hillfort and climbing routes, or picking blueberries in the garden. When looking for a holiday apartment, it helps to first consider which of Bjoa’s distinctive features you would most like to shape your stay.

More cultural destinations in Vindafjord

In the wider Vindafjord destination, the Vindafjord Museum focuses on local craft and economic history, especially shipbuilding traditions. The museum is set up as a rural farmstead and includes the municipality’s last telegraph station. Nerheimstunet, on Store Nerheim in Ølen, offers another historical point of interest: the farmstead was probably built around 1660, and its buildings have been restored. Nerheimstunet is associated with a pre-Christian place of worship; a historic meeting place was probably also located there. These destinations add further themes of history and crafts in Vindafjord to Bjoa’s cultural traces.

Hiking trails and regional activities

The wider Vindafjord destination also offers a range of trail types for hiking. Olalia is used as a hiking area in winter, summer and autumn. An approximately five-kilometre illuminated trail runs between Oppheim and Fjellstøl. Marked trails and ski tracks lead to the hiking destinations of Hest, Vådli and Staurskar; trail conditions can vary by season. By comparison, the Kulturstien–Utbjoaneset is about three kilometres long and allows for a circular walk. These two distances provide a concrete point of reference without specifying a walking time.

The route from Bjoa to Vadhytta is suitable for bicycles, pushchairs and wheelchairs. Gravel roads lead to the cabin from Bjoa and Ølensvåg. Vadhytta also has a mini-library run by the Vindafjord Library. In Ølen, the waterside Aktivitetsparken is located in the centre; all activities there take place outdoors. A time slot must be booked for padel tennis, beach volleyball and bocce. Check whether you need to book before your visit, as booking requirements may change.

The search for a holiday apartment can therefore be guided by the kind of discoveries you want to focus on.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Ølen, Skjold, Vikebygd, Ølensvåg, Åmsosen, Nedre Vats, Vikedal, Sandeid

Go to the main travel overview: Vindafjord.