Korgen: River Trails and History

Korgen can be explored through two compelling themes: the salmon river Røssåga, with a loop trail through boreal rainforest, and a local history that spans everything from a wooden church to sites associated with wartime. There are also trails, a protected bridge and attractions in the wider destination of Hemnes. Nature and culture offer different points of reference as you decide what you want to focus on during your trip.

Røssåga and trails in Korgen

The Korgen–Sjøforsen loop trail starts in Korgen and follows the salmon river Røssåga through boreal rainforest. Nearby, Svartebukta is a starting point for a marked walk along the river or towards Sjøforsen. The signposted loops there are 6 or 8 kilometres long; check the local signs before setting out.

The nearby Svartebukta park complements the trails with seating, barbecue facilities, a playground, exercise equipment and an outdoor stage. So when exploring the area, you can choose not only from hiking routes but also from various facilities in the park. If you enjoy being by the water, you can focus on the Røssåga and the trail to Sjøforsen; if you are looking for different activities, the park has several options in one place.

Bridge and church: local architectural history

The protected Sjøforsbrua is a stone arch bridge built from hand-dressed stone. It was built for traffic in 1905. In the wider destination of Hemnes, it is one kilometre from the centre of Korgen; there is a picnic area by the bridge. Its construction offers a tangible contrast to the nature trails: here, the visit is shaped by materials, form and the history of transport.

In Korgen itself stands the wooden cruciform church, built in 1863. Together, the church and bridge illustrate two distinct types of construction: the church is made of wood, while Sjøforsbrua is a protected stone arch bridge. If you are interested in architecture, these features offer distinct experiences in Korgen and the surrounding area.

Wartime sites

During the Second World War, there was a prison camp for Yugoslav prisoners in Korgen, where more than 400 people died. On Korgfjellet, up to 640 Yugoslav prisoners of war, young men and boys, died between June 1942 and May 1944 while working for the German occupying forces.

The road over Korgfjellet is one of two road sections in Nordland that together form Blodveien. Six information boards about the wartime history were installed along this road in 2017. Check their current condition locally if you would like to include the boards in your plans. This connects the landscape on Korgfjellet with a specific history, distinct from the local history of Korgen.

Hemnes as a wider travel destination

In the wider destination of Hemnes, Hemnes bygdetun in Bjerka showcases a typical regional farmstead. It includes an Årestue dating from 1830 and a main house from 1750. In Hemnesberget, the three-day Hemnesjazz music festival takes place every year in early August; during the festival, there are open-air concerts in Lapphella. Check the dates if you would like to include the festival in your travel plans.

Hemnes also offers the Ume-Sámi Resource Centre as a cultural attraction. By appointment, visitors can learn about Sámi culture, heritage, history, language and way of life. The visit described also includes stories told in a lavvu, guidance on recognising Sámi traces in the landscape, as well as local and Sámi specialities and coffee prepared over an open fire. The need to book in advance is an important distinction from a spontaneous visit.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Korgen, it helps to decide on your priorities first: would you mainly like to explore the loop trail along the Røssåga and the local history, or will you also include destinations in the wider Hemnes area? This way, you can choose your base according to the places and experiences that matter to you.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Bleikvasslia, Hemnesberget.

Go to the wider travel overview: Hemnes.