Åheim: Fjord Views, Olivine and Old Paths

Åheim combines hikes with impressive views across the Vanylvsfjord and a distinctive history shaped by olivine. Other highlights include the Romanesque St. Jetmund Church and collections offering a glimpse into life in the area in earlier times. Whether you prefer spending time outdoors, exploring culture or combining the two, you’ll find ideas here for different kinds of holiday days.

Circular Trails and Viewpoints

The circular route around Åheim can be started at several points: Misjonshuset, the junction in the town centre or the stadium in Løvold. Free parking is available at Misjonshuset, by COOP/Spar and at the stadium. The route first follows a country road along the south side of the Åheimselva, then continues along a path to a bridge near Gusdalsvatnet. The return leg follows the county road; the hike is listed as taking about one hour. Along the way, you’ll also pass an old mill from the mid-19th century, with all its equipment still intact.

For a shorter hike, try Benkjen. The trail starts in Åheimslida, where parking is available at the trailhead. A longer option can be started at Åheim School. Benkjen is a short, easy hike with beautiful views across the Vanylvsfjord, and is also well suited to young children. Another viewpoint is Løvollsnipa: the trail starts in Åheim and goes via Lyngfjellhola, offering views to the south and west as well as across the Vanylvsfjord. If you’d like to combine a hike with a possible fishing stop, choose the Ørnetua route from Gusdal/Åheim. It passes Skjevatnet, where fishing is possible.

Church, Farm History and Collections

St. Jetmund Church is one of Norway’s oldest stone churches and was built around 1150. The Romanesque building is made mainly of fieldstone, with marble details on the west façade, arches, frames and chancel portal. Inside, you can see the carved and painted pulpit from 1630 and a gilded medieval altarpiece. A visit here offers a chance to see a blend of different periods and materials.

Birkedalen also tells the story of rural life: the old farm dates from the 19th century and was inhabited until 1960. During the annual “Around the Village” fitness trail event, the farm and farmhouse serve as a refreshment station. The circular route around Åheim also takes you past the old mill, with its equipment still intact. These places offer different perspectives on farm life, a community event and historical working life.

The Norsk Olivinsenter is located in the old Thue School in Åheim. There, the Valborgsamlinga displays old local household items, textiles, agricultural and fishing equipment, and a furnished classroom showing how it used to look. The collection includes around 500 objects, most of them dating roughly from 1800 to 1900. The oldest dated item is a tin bowl from 1690. The Norsk Olivinsenter also plans themed exhibitions on history, future products and myths surrounding olivine, as well as rocks such as eclogite and garnet peridotite. It also serves as a starting point for guided tours in the surrounding area, focusing on mineral deposits.

Discover Nature

You can explore the history of olivine outdoors, too: along the Åheimselva, you can visit old olivine quarries. In Sundalen near Åheim, visitors can search for minerals in the gravel. If you’d rather spend time by the water, Sandvik-sanden has a gently sloping, child-friendly bathing beach. So, alongside hiking and culture, you can also make minerals or swimming the focus of your holiday.

Other places at this level: Åram, Rovde, Fiskå, Sylte, Myklebost and Eide.

Back to the main travel overview: Vanylven.