Harøy: Island Trails, Nature and History

Harøya combines island cycling tours with trails through moorland and a church with a history of its own. The Harøya/Finnøya cycling tour is a good option for families: it is considered family-friendly and has few climbs, with an elevation difference of 35 m. There are also trail systems designed for bicycles and pushchairs, as well as nature reserves on Harøya and Finnøya. Which of these experiences you would like to focus on may shape your choice of a holiday apartment or holiday home on Harøy.

Cycling between Harøya and Finnøya

The Harøya/Finnøya cycling tour starts at the Myklebust ferry terminal and is part of «Øyriket i Romsdal». Its low elevation difference of 35 m and few climbs are specific features for anyone looking for a family-friendly cycling tour. On the outer side of the route, you can cycle down to the small harbour at Røsokvika after 2.5 km. This lets you combine the tour with a named destination by the water without having to plan for a specific journey time.

Harøya also has a distinctive trail option for those travelling with a pushchair: «Vindmøllestien» is part of a trail system with paths about 1.5 m wide, designed for bicycles and pushchairs. «Vindmøllestien» runs from Brunsvollvegen in the north, across the moor towards turbines 1 and 2, and onwards to the car parks at Harøy Church. The route links different landmarks; the Harøya/Finnøya cycling tour is a separate route.

Trails and access to the island

Another named trail is «Bjerganstien». It leads from Harøy Church over the summit of Bjergane towards Harøyburet, and is known by that name there. This gives you a choice of different trail experiences when planning your holiday: «Vindmøllestien» crosses the moor towards the turbines, while «Bjerganstien» leads over a summit towards Harøyburet.

Road connections are also important for getting to the island and finding your way around. Harøya is connected to the south via Nordøyvegen; the connection, which opened in 2022, passes through a tunnel to Fjørtofta. Harøya also has a good road connection around the island and a bridge to Finnøya. The cycling tour starts at the Myklebust ferry terminal. About 1 km from there, a former border between Norway and Sweden from the 17th century is marked; there are benches at the site.

Church, history and protected nature

The church on Harøya was built in 1934. It is automatically protected and of national importance. Its cemetery contains the Sæbjørnsen family burial plot and a memorial stone for the church architect Fredrik Kavli, dating from 1910. This stop adds a cultural note to the island’s more active trails. If you are interested in churches and local history, you can include it when choosing your excursions.

Nature is also part of Harøya’s character: several important nature reserves lie along the beaches and inland. The nature reserves on Harøya and Finnøya are internationally protected under the Ramsar Convention. This means you can weigh up cycling, trails and nature when planning your trip, rather than focusing your stay on a single activity.

If you would like to discover another island destination alongside Harøy, you can also find Ona here.

For the broader travel overview: Sandøy.