Vikedal

Vikedal brings together hikes on clearly named trails, a gently sloping sandy beach and striking reminders of the area's history. A wooden church, a museum devoted to local craft and economic history, and trails to viewpoints give your stay a variety of highlights. Choose from shorter circular walks, longer hikes and discoveries by the water.

Hiking trails for different days

The circular hike to Hestanipen from Vikedal is about 8 kilometres long and takes approximately 3 hours. The accessible circular walk from Holmen to Kyrkjehølen is shorter: it starts in the centre, is about 1.4 kilometres long and takes approximately 45 minutes. The distance and duration help you fit these two trails into your day's plans.

Views and local history also shape the hikes. The hike to Kløyvahumpen from the centre leads to a viewpoint overlooking Vikedal; the circular route also offers sea views from Svermebenken. Skomakarnibba is described as a moderately challenging hike and leads to a steep rock platform with views across the valley. Its name comes from a legend about a shoemaker.

Nearby, at 1,016 metres, Bjørndalsnuten is the highest mountain in Vindafjord municipality; the area has varied, waymarked hiking terrain. The hike to Lysenuten via the Vikedal access route is about 9 kilometres long and takes approximately 3.5 hours return. The hike to Roaldskvamsnuten is 7.9 kilometres long and takes about 3 to 3.5 hours return. For a destination by the water, the trail to Ulvavollsvatnet reaches a sandy beach by the lake after about 1.8 kilometres; the hike takes approximately 2 hours return.

Church, museum and local history

Vikedal kyrkje is a wooden long church, consecrated in 1881 and built in the late Empire style. The church contains an altarpiece dating from 1654; one of its two bells dates from the 14th century. These different dates place the church within a longer local history.

Vindafjordmuseet is located northeast of the town centre. Its themes include local craft and economic history, including distinctive shipbuilding traditions. The collection includes objects from working and everyday life, as well as models of sailing boats. Trails to historic settlements offer further insight into earlier ways of life: Sjurstøl was inhabited and used for farming until the 20th century. Bjørnstigen was an inhabited smallholding from the 17th century until 1906. The hike there combines views and the history of the farm with fishing opportunities and a bathing spot at Grunnavatnet.

Music is also part of the annual calendar: Vikedal Roots Music Festival is an annual festival in Vikedal. The 2027 edition takes place from 15 to 18 July and features a varied roots music programme.

Beach, river and your stay

Vikedal is home to the largest sandy beach. It slopes gently and is suitable for bathers of all ages. Vikedalselva flows into the Sandeidfjord at Vikedal and is used by recreational anglers from across southwestern Norway; it is recommended as a type river for the region. The beach and river offer experiences different from those found at the viewpoints and historic hiking destinations.

There are three campsites and a marina in the centre of Vikedal. Vikedal Båthavn offers 45 motorhome pitches and a disposal station. The harbour also has a 200-metre guest promenade and a service building with toilets, a shower and a washing machine. This information adds to the options for enjoying nature, local history and a stay by the water.

More local pages: Bjoa, Åmsosen, Vikebygd, Kvaløyna, Skjold, Ølensvåg, Ølen and Sandeid.

For the broader travel overview: Vindafjord.