Byrknesøy – Coastal Culture, Trails and Island Views

Byrknesøy combines a low, hilly island landscape with coastal history and marked hiking experiences. Byrknesøyna lies north of the mouth of the Fensfjord; its west coast is indented by small fjords and coves. If you are looking for a holiday apartment and want to consider hiking, insights into the former lives of fishing-farming families, and activities on the water, you will find several different points of interest to help you plan your trip.

Hiking trails between Veten and coastal history

The circular route over Byrknesfjellet passes Siletjønna, Veten and Røyrgata. It starts at Siletjønna on Byrknesvegen, about 2 kilometres before Byrknes. At 194 metres above sea level, Veten is the highest point on Byrknesøyna. From there, the view extends across Ytre Gulen, towards Solund, Øygarden and Fedje, and westwards out to sea. If you are interested in a hike with a viewpoint, you can make this loop a highlight of your trip.

On Byrknesøyna, marked hiking routes and summit hikes are part of Øytrimmen; the island is one of the areas with scoring checkpoints. Veten counts as a summit checkpoint worth three points. The Vårflorturen offers a different perspective: it passes several remains of traditional vårflorar, including a restored vårflor. The route highlights coastal livestock farming, where animals were fed seaweed and heather in winter. This lets you discover the landscape and its former farming practices as different reasons to take an excursion on the island.

Fishing history at the Gulen Fiskarbondemuseum

The Gulen Fiskarbondemuseum provides insight into the lives of local fishing-farming families. One striking example is the Våningshuset: built in 1842, it was home to various fishing-farming families. The building also served the island population as a school and Gjest Bårdsen as a prison. These changing functions make the house a tangible link to the island’s history.

At the museum’s seasonal opening, fish soup and fish cakes are served. They are prepared as part of the museum school’s fishing programme.

Water, events and landscape

The waters west of Byrknesøyna are used for recreational fishing and kayaking. In Tausevika on Byrknesøyna, YGIL rents out six kayaks during the rental season. If you are particularly interested in a kayaking trip, you can take this seasonal rental into account when planning your visit. Near Grime, part of the area people walk through is a nature reserve. Sheep grazing helps keep the cultural landscape there open.

For a longer route, Kongeløpet is another point of interest: it runs from the Joker on Byrknesøyna to Skjerjehamn on Sandøy and is 13 kilometres long. The route crosses bridges and islands and follows both paved and gravel roads. Kongeløpet and Kongemarsjen take place every year on the second weekend of September. If you want to plan your trip around these events, this is the relevant weekend.

Getting there and choosing where to stay

The Brandangersundbrua connects Byrknesøyna by road to Mjømna, Sandøy and the mainland at Sløvåg. There is also a car ferry connecting the island with Leirvåg on the Lindåshalvøya. When choosing a holiday apartment on Byrknesøy, you can first consider whether hiking, fishing history or activities on the water will be the main focus of your trip. The road and ferry links mentioned also provide two different options for getting there; specific travel times and connections depend on your plans.

Other destinations you can also explore: Eivindvik, Gulen, Brekke, Mjømna, Åsheim, Ånneland, Byrknes and Dalsöyra.

Return to the main travel overview: Gulen.