Sæbøvågen: Cultural Heritage and Hiking Trails

Sæbøvågen is a very well-preserved cultural environment and also the starting point for several hiking trails. Old boathouses, mills and structures recall the history of the area; routes lead from here towards Holeåsen, Lundsåsen and Kvistefjellet, among other places. If you are weighing up cultural discoveries and hikes for your trip, Sæbøvågen offers a range of options for your holiday days.

Boathouses, mills and traces of craftsmanship

The boathouse environment includes timber-framed boathouses and their associated stone-wall structures. Sæbøvågen is also home to the remains of Prestebryggja, known as prestabryggjo. Another distinctive feature is Skittkai and the Skitthaus: both are built of natural stone, and the complex was constructed in the early 20th century. The different building styles make the cultural environment interesting to visitors who want to learn how boats, stone walls and local craftsmanship have shaped the area’s history.

An old road leads down to Sæbøvågen. Local masons built it; today, it is regarded as a monument to the area’s old master masons. The river also reveals how things have changed: there used to be eight or nine mill houses along it. The lowest mill house still stands where the river flows into the sea and is in good condition. As you explore, focusing on individual structures brings you into contact with both preserved evidence and the remains of earlier complexes.

Sæbø kyrkje and the memorial stones

There are two memorial stones with different historical associations at Sæbø kyrkje. By the main entrance stands the stone erected by young people in 1914 in memory of the men from Sæbø who served in 1807–1814. Opposite it stands another memorial stone to those killed in the war in 1940–1945. The two memorials can be distinguished by their locations and the respective periods they commemorate.

The church’s design is also noteworthy: Sæbø kirke is a three-aisled long church. The central and side aisles are beneath one shared roof. For travel to the church, the nearest bus stop is called Sæbø; it is 200 metres from the church. There is also a dedicated car park, with access directly from the main road. A wheelchair ramp is located at the main entrance.

Hiking trails with different destinations

The Sæbøvågen–Holeåsen–Lundsåsen route starts in Sæbøvågen. It first follows a gravel road to a junction towards Lundsåsen, then continues to Holeåsen. From Holeåsen, the view extends west across Ulvatnet, to Kartveit and towards Mangerfjorden. Parking is available for this route at Sæbø kyrkje or by the gate in Sæbøvågen. If you include the route in your day’s plans, both the gravel-road section and the mentioned parking options are useful points of reference.

Another option is the Kvistefjellet route from Sæbøvågen: it first follows a gravel road, then a marked trail heads towards Kvistefjellet. Along the way, it passes Kvalvika, an abandoned smallholding that is not accessible by road. From there, you can continue on a marked trail via Storstølen towards Sæbøvågen. Sæbøvågen is also the starting point for several hiking trails, including routes to Kvalvika and Kvistefjellet.

The two routes described differ in their destinations and sections of trail: one focuses on Holeåsen, Lundsåsen and the western view, while the other follows the trail towards Kvistefjellet and detours past Kvalvika. Choose accommodation in Sæbøvågen if you want to make the area a base for these explorations and for discovering its cultural heritage during your trip. More local pages: Bøvågen, Manger.

For the wider travel overview: Radøy.