Straumsnes between lake, fjord and river

Straumsnes lies between Valnesfjordvatnet and Valnesfjorden, by the Straumen stretch of the river. The lake, fjord and river define the geographical setting of the village. There are also paths and natural attractions that offer different options for planning a holiday: a circular trail in the village and destinations in the surrounding area.

Waterfront location and getting oriented

Route 80 runs through Straumsnes between the E6 near Fauske and Bodø. From Route 80 in Straumsnes, Route 530 heads northeast to the Valnesfjord Helsesportsenter. These roads help you get your bearings when locating the village and working out the direction to a destination; they say nothing about current traffic conditions.

Hjerteløypa: a loop with different uses

The 2.7 km Hjerteløypa circular trail starts in the centre of Strømsnes. It runs partly alongside an existing road and partly through open terrain. This gives the loop a varied route rather than following just one type of path. In winter, the Hjerteløypa is used as a ski trail; check its current grooming status before using it in winter.

The Hjerteløypa is intended for walking, skiing and cycling. The municipal plan specifies a usable width of 2.5 m. This figure describes the planned width, not a guarantee of the width currently available. The route therefore gives you two concrete points of reference for planning: the length of the loop and the intended range of uses. Which of these matters for your stay depends on whether you want to explore Straumsnes on foot, on skis or by bicycle.

Natural attractions in the surrounding area

The Sjunkhatten National Park offers nature experiences on land and water throughout the year. Kvalhornet is also nearby: it lies on the west side of Valnesfjordvatnet and within the national park. In winter, conditions there are considered ideal for skiing and snowboarding. The park thus offers year-round nature experiences, alongside Kvalhornet’s specifically winter-focused activities.

Another nearby destination is the Bringslifossen waterfall, also called Storforsen. The approximately 1 km-long trail starts at Heimegård and follows the Leiråga River. To get there, take Route 80 towards Fauske, turn off for Bringsli at Nordvika, and then continue to Heimegård. Check the current signs in advance. The stated trail length does not indicate how long the walk takes, but it does give you a concrete point of comparison with the longer Hjerteløypa.

Fauske: culture and hikes in the wider destination

The wider destination of Fauske offers additional cultural and landscape experiences. Sjønstå gård is a listed cluster farm dating from the 17th century. A guided tour covers the farm’s history from its beginnings in 1665, through its time as a fishing and farming homestead and its transition to industry, up to the present day. At Fauske bygdetun, the history of Salten is told through clothing; there is also an exhibition about local healer Johannes Brateng.

Fauske also offers different ways to experience nature: trails run along the coast, through forests and up to the highest peaks. The designated hiking destinations range from short walks on prepared paths to routes through more challenging terrain. The year-round hiking terrain includes afternoon outings as well as weekend and long-distance hikes. This makes it possible to explore the wider Fauske area according to your preferred type of hike and landscape, without conflating these destinations with the local trails in Straumsnes.

Discover more destinations: Brekke, Tverrå, Valnesfjord, Sulitjelma.

Go to the main travel overview: Fauske.