Giske: History, Trails and Coast
Accommodation in Giske
In Giske, discoveries range from a 12th-century church and a protected lighthouse to a cave with traces of Stone Age settlements. There is also a sandy beach at Alnes, trails on Valderøya and Godøya, and dive sites among small islands and skerries. When choosing a holiday apartment, it is therefore worth first considering which of these different sides of the destination you would like your vacation to focus on.
Trails and a cave on Valderøya
The “Utom fjellet” circular trail runs along the west side of Valderøya and leads to Skjonghelleren, which is also a hiking destination in its own right. The route is 3.4 kilometres long and can be traversed with a pushchair or wheelchair. If you want a clearly defined route length to take into account when planning your day, this provides a concrete guide. The cave lies 57 metres above sea level and extends 100 metres into the mountain. Traces of Stone Age settlements and animal remains more than 30,000 years old have been found in Skjonghelleren.
On Godøya, Fjellfotvegen offers a different kind of trail: this gently hilly gravel path runs between Juv in the west and the residential area near Leitebakken in the east. This gives you two distinct trails to consider when planning your trip: the circular trail on the west side of Valderøya, which leads to the cave, and the gravel path on Godøya. The summit of Storhornet on Godøya also offers a 360° panorama. If this view interests you, you can plan it as a focus in its own right alongside the trails and cultural sites.
Church, lighthouse and island history
Giske Church was built in the 12th century as the estate chapel of the powerful Giskeætta family. If you would like to see the church, you can arrange a guided tour through the church office. This gives your visit a specific cultural connection: the history of the place is reflected in a building whose original function was closely linked to the Giskeætta.
At Alnes, visitors can tour the Alnes Lighthouse and the old lighthouse keeper’s house. The lighthouse is protected under Norway’s Cultural Heritage Act. You can also book a local guide for your visit. The café in the visitor centre serves traditional Norwegian food. At Alnes, cultural discoveries and traditional Norwegian cuisine go hand in hand.
Godøy Coastal Museum presents its exhibitions across three floors of an older school building. The archaeological exhibition includes finds from the municipality’s four islands. These include a wealth of Stone Age finds from Godøya and unique Bronze Age finds from Giske. If you are interested in early settlement and archaeological history, you will find examples here from different periods and several of the municipality’s islands.
Coast, nature and holiday interests
Sandvika near Alnes is one of the sandy beaches in Giske municipality. For divers, the location of most dive sites is an important distinction: they are among small islands and skerries and are accessible only by boat. Whether you are most interested in beaches, diving or culture, you can weigh these interests differently when choosing where to stay, rather than reducing Giske to a single activity.
Nature also has a special place here: Giske Bird Protection Area is an important resting place for many species of wetland birds. Together with the cave, trails and lighthouse, it offers a range of different experiences that may factor into planning a trip and looking for a holiday apartment in Giske. The specific places you want to visit may help determine which local areas you explore further.
For more information about the local areas, see the pages for Valderhaugstranda, Alnes, Giske, Godøy, Vigra and Valderøya.
For the broader travel overview: More Og Romsdal.
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