Hjelmås: Chapel, Water and Trails

A landmark in Hjelmås is the chapel on the hill at Apalen. It stands between Haukåsvatnet and the sea, southwest of Hjelmås quay. Other features include the shoreline of Hjelmåsvågen, trails in the Sauvågen area and a business history with roots dating back to the 19th century. Hjelmås therefore has plenty to interest travellers who want to include culture, outdoor activities and water-based pursuits in their holiday plans.

The Chapel and Business History

Hjelmås Chapel was built in 1977–78 and dedicated on 28 May 1978. Its location on Apalen is easy to pinpoint: between Haukåsvatnet and the sea, southwest of Hjelmås quay. The rectangular building stands on a high, cast-concrete foundation. It was built using modern timber-frame construction, with horizontal, sharp-edged exterior cladding. These features give the chapel a clearly identifiable architectural profile. Travellers interested in building styles and local history can keep these details in mind as they explore the area.

Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk tells a different kind of story: the family business is now in its fourth generation, and its roots go back to 1898. Its long history and continuity across generations make the company’s story a cultural topic in its own right, alongside the chapel’s architecture. This gives visitors to Hjelmås points of interest beyond nature and leisure activities.

Shoreline, Paddling and Trails

The shoreline of Hjelmåsvågen is considered the main area for outdoor recreation and community life in Hjelmås. It is therefore a useful point of reference for visitors who want to take in local life as well as outdoor activities. Sauvågen is a suitable area for paddling and similar activities. If you like to plan separately for water activities and walks, these offer two distinct options to prioritise according to your interests.

An old road runs around Sauvågen and is relatively well suited to pedestrians and cyclists. It offers a good experience and has little traffic. In addition, several hiking trails follow the terrain from the Hjelmås area towards the northwest, allowing for long walks. With a few exceptions, these trails are used mainly by locals.

For families planning together, these different options can be a starting point for discussion: if paddling and similar activities are the priority, Sauvågen is the relevant area; for a day of activity on land, the old road and hiking trails are options. The routes should not all be treated as the same: their locations and uses differ.

Getting Around and Traffic

The area around the shop in Hjelmås is a meeting place for local residents, small-boat tourists and travellers along the E39. This mix also makes the area interesting from the perspective of everyday life and travel: Hjelmås is associated not only with outdoor recreation, but also with a local meeting place and traffic along the road.

Pedestrians and cyclists should be aware of an important distinction. East of Leknes, the E39 is designed to accommodate non-motorised traffic only to a limited extent. At the same time, an extensive local road network provides comparatively good options for walking and cycling, although these usually have no dedicated route. If you want to explore Hjelmås on foot or by bike, you can take this contrast into account when planning your day and consider the different paths and roads separately.

When looking for a holiday rental in Hjelmås, you could start by considering which aspects of the area matter most for your trip: the chapel and its architecture, walks, paddling or a glimpse of local meeting places. The experiences described can help you assess Hjelmås as a destination according to your interests; they do not make any claims about the facilities or location of individual accommodation.

Discover More Places

For more ideas of places to visit, you can also include Hundvin, Vågseidet, Lindås, Alverstraumen, Myking, Eikangervåg, Alversund and Ostereidet in your further travel reading.

Back to the main travel overview: Lindås.