Discover Bakkasund: History and Trails

Maritime History and Trails in Bakkasund

For a time, Olaskjeret was the largest workplace on Storekalsøy—a notable starting point for exploring the island’s working history. If you’d like to add some activity to your stay, you can choose between two different routes: a 26-kilometre cycling route from Bekkjarvik to Bakkasund and a marked section of the Nordsjøløypa trail from Bakkasund via Kalve towards Skansen. When planning your holiday, you can decide whether working history, cultural heritage or outdoor activity should play a greater role in your stay.

Olaskjeret and Working History

Olaskjeret is a small island in Bakkasundet on Storekalsøy, in the municipality of Austevoll. For a time, it was the largest workplace on Storekalsøy. Work carried out there included, among other things, a herring saltery, a net loft and boat work. These examples cover different activities: herring processing, nets and work on boats. This variety gives Olaskjeret a distinct profile in the island’s history. If you’re interested in maritime culture, you can focus on this workplace and consider it separately from the history of the trading post in Bakkasund.

Historically, Bakkasundet was a central hub for maritime traffic. The old trading post in Bakkasund is part of Austevoll municipality’s valuable cultural heritage. For travellers interested in history, Bakkasundet’s role in maritime traffic and the trading post’s cultural heritage offer two distinct points of interest. One reflects the historical importance of maritime traffic; the other, the old trading post’s place in Austevoll’s cultural heritage. Together, they give your travel plans a cultural and historical focus that extends beyond the working history of Olaskjeret.

Cycling Route and Marked Trail Section

The cycling route from Bekkjarvik to Bakkasund offers 26 kilometres on well-suited cycle paths. The stated distance gives you a clear idea of the route’s length and can help with your plans if cycling is to be an important part of your stay. The distance is also a useful planning guide when travelling with children: you can decide together how a 26-kilometre cycling route might fit into your holiday. This makes it a clear option for anyone who wants to include a cycling route between the two named places in their trip.

Another option is the marked section of the Nordsjøløypa trail. It runs from Bakkasund via Kalve towards Skansen. The place names provide clear orientation: Bakkasund is the starting point of the section described, Kalve lies along the route, and it heads towards Skansen. This makes it different from the cycling route, which runs from Bekkjarvik to Bakkasund. If you’d like to include some activity in your travel plans, you can choose which option better suits your interests based on how you prefer to get around.

When looking for a holiday rental, you can first decide whether you want to stay in Bakkasund itself or prefer another place as your base.

More places to discover: Torangsvåg, Stolmen, Storebø, Våge, Bekkjarvik, Kalve, Vestre Vinnesvåg, Litlakalsøy.

For the broader travel overview: Austevoll.