Surnadal: Nature, Art and Culture

Surnadal offers a variety of ways to plan a trip: at Svinviks arboretum, botanical diversity and a distinctive fjord landscape take centre stage, while museums and historic homes offer insights into art and local history. The natural experiences are just as varied: Vaulen is a state-protected recreation area, while Todalen is a starting point for the route to Trollheimen. When choosing a holiday rental, you can first consider whether you would rather spend your days discovering plants, exploring culture or going for a hike.

Arboretum, fjord and trails in Vaulen

Svinviks arboretum is home to 350 rhododendron species and hundreds of conifer species. It lies between steep mountains and the Todalsfjord. The large variety of rhododendrons and conifers makes a visit especially interesting if you want to observe and compare plants in detail. There is also a summer café at the arboretum. So you can enjoy botanical discoveries and a place to stop for refreshments in summer, without having to limit your stay to a single theme.

Vaulen offers a different way to spend time in nature. The area is state-protected as a recreation area. Marked trails lead about 4 km to Vaulen from the ends of the roads at Krokvatnet or Solåsvatnet. This approximate distance helps you fit the outing into your day; it refers to the route from the named road ends to the area. The rental of Vaulen includes the hire of a canoe and a boat. If you are interested in visiting, you can choose between a hike on foot and an activity on the water.

A striking peak in central Surnadal, Honnstadknyken, also known as Knyken, reaches 1,071 metres above sea level. This elevation gives you a clear idea of the mountain in the local area. You can consider this natural attraction alongside Vaulen and the Todalsfjord as a separate focus when planning your trip, without combining the different places into a single route. Todalen is also a starting point for the route to Trollheimen, making it particularly appealing to travellers interested in trails towards this area.

Local art and history

Kallastuå at Telesbøen in Surnadal is an art museum and gallery named after the late visual artist Kalla Skrøvseth. The place combines the presentation of art with the name of a specific artist. For travellers interested in culture, this offers a different kind of discovery from the botanical collections at the arboretum: you can shape your holiday around different interests rather than focusing exclusively on nature.

Åsen bygdemuseum also focuses on local history. This traditional open-air museum comprises buildings from different periods and collections of local history. The museum can be visited by prior booking and during events. The grounds are different: they are open at all times, even when the exhibitions are closed. This distinction matters when planning your visit, whether you want to see the buildings and collections or explore the grounds independently.

Another place connected with cultural history is Kleiva, above Skei in Surnadal. It was the home of village poet Hans Hyldbakk. This specific biographical site complements visits to the museums: Åsen showcases buildings and collections, while Kleiva is associated with the life of a well-known local poet. Together with Kallastuå, they offer different ways to discover art, local history and the life of an individual artist.

Which trip is right for you?

If you want to focus on plants and fjord scenery, the distinctive features of Svinviks arboretum are an excellent starting point. If you would like to include a marked trail and a recreation area in your plans, Vaulen offers a different focus; canoe and boat hire are included in the rental there. Kallastuå, Åsen bygdemuseum and Kleiva, meanwhile, each offer a different perspective on art and local history. This selection can help you put the experiences that matter most to your trip at the heart of your search for a holiday rental in Surnadal.

More places to explore in Surnadal: Surnadalsøra Surnadalsøra, Surnadal Surnadal, Bæverfjorden Bæverfjorden, Bølandet Bølandet, Settemsøran Settemsøran, Kvanne Kvanne, Stangvik Stangvik, Torvik Torvik, Surna Surna and Todalen Todalen.

For the broader travel overview: More Og Romsdal.