Kjerringvåg: Harbor village with a herring-fishing history

Kjerringvåg combines the history of a former ferry village with a harbor and a cultural heritage site connected to herring fishing. The settlement is on Dolmøya in the municipality of Hitra, Trøndelag. From 1964, Kjerringvåg was the starting point for the ferry connection to Flatval on Frøya; in 2000, the route was replaced by the Frøya Tunnel. The road network can also be described precisely: County Road Fv. 6454 runs from the junction with Fv. 714 at Kjerringvåg to the junction at Beknes and is 6.674 kilometers long.

Harbor and former ferry connection

Between Husneset and Kjerringvågskjera, there is an anchorage for smaller boats. The seabed is sandy, and the water depth is seven meters. The harbor is exposed to northerly winds, but has only slight wave action. These details describe different aspects of the harbor village without making a general statement about conditions for every individual visit.

The harbor infrastructure includes a decommissioned ferry quay with a 48-meter-long berth, a 29-meter-long wooden quay, and a floating dock. The contrast between the out-of-service ferry quay and the other harbor structures mentioned makes the former ferry function tangible as part of the village’s history.

Notheng and herring fishing

The freestanding Notheng tells the story of herring fishing in Kjerringvåg. It dates from the 1950s and 1960s and is considered a modern cultural heritage site. It is also one of the few surviving facilities of its kind along the coast. This puts a single building at the center, illustrating both recent architectural history and the importance of herring fishing to the village.

Cultural sites near Dolm and Hopsjø

Nearby is medieval Dolm Church, one of the oldest buildings still in use on the Trøndelag coast. The old cultural landscape around the church is suitable for hiking, and information boards stand at several locations. This combines outdoor activity with insights into the area’s history, without making a visit to the church the sole focus of an outing.

Beyond the strait from Dolm Church lies the nearby Hopsjø market village. Its history dates back to the 18th century. It may be home to Norway’s oldest surviving shop; visitors can buy souvenirs, traditional sweets, and local handicrafts. A warehouse has been converted into a restaurant specializing in locally sourced food and drink. If you would like to dine there, check in advance whether the restaurant is open.

Dolmsundet also offers its own glimpse into the past: a cultural heritage park features a replica of an Iron Age longhouse, as well as prehistoric settlement sites and burial grounds. Together with the Notheng and the cultural sites near Dolm, the subject matter thus ranges from herring fishing to much older traces of human settlement.

The broader setting: Hitra

Across the wider destination of Hitra, the landscape ranges from coastal areas and mountains to thousands of fishing waters; Hitra also encompasses an archipelago of islands and skerries. The Feskarbonde tradition on Hitra offers another cultural perspective, combining agriculture and fishing. The “Ringer i vannet” exhibition at the Hitra express boat terminal takes a different approach: it explains the effects of Norwegian aquaculture on nature, society, and administration. These Hitra-wide themes complement the specific focus on Kjerringvåg’s harbor and herring-fishing history without conflating the area’s distinct features.

Kjerringvåg as a place to search for your holiday apartment

When searching for a holiday apartment, it helps to decide what you want to focus on during your trip. If you mainly want to explore the former ferry village, the harbor, and the history of herring fishing, you can search specifically in Kjerringvåg. If the broader landscape and cultural themes of Hitra are your priority, it is worth looking across the wider destination. Compare the accommodation’s location with the places you want to visit, and choose according to which aspects of the region matter to your trip.

Discover more destinations: Hestvika, Melandsjøen, Hitra, Sandstad, Dolmøy, Kvenvær, Knarrlagsund, Korshamn

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Hitra.