Vestbygd: Art by the Shore, Church and Kysthuset

Vestbygd combines striking art by the shore with tangible traces of local and coastal history. The sculpture “Øye i Stein” stands near Hustad Gård; the wooden Vestbygd Church and Kysthuset in Voje add further cultural highlights. There is also a range of cycling tours that can enrich the planning of a trip with varied interests.

Art by the Shore and a Path to the Sea

“Øye i Stein” was created by artist Anish Kapoor in collaboration with Lødingen Steinindustri. The sculpture is made from a large block of Lødingen monzonite, a granite that is 180 million years old. Its material and geological age give the work an unusual dimension: contemporary art meets a natural material that is far older. It is located by the shore near Hustad Gård.

You can visit the sculpture via the nature trail that descends from Rv 837 to the sea. The path itself thus helps guide you to the artwork. Check the condition of the trail locally before setting out. This way, you can take the nature trail into account when planning your day.

Church and Coastal History

Vestbygd Church was built in 1885. It is a wooden long church with 230 seats. Its year of construction, material and building type make it a vivid reference point for local architectural history; the number of seats also gives a concrete sense of its size.

Kysthuset in Voje features boats, engines and household items from homes, bridges and boathouses in Lødingen municipality. Maritime technology and everyday objects are presented side by side. Visitors interested in coastal life and its material traces will find a different subject here than at the sculpture or the church. It is advisable to check the current opening hours before your visit.

Cycling Tours with Local Support

Offersøy Feriesenter rents out a limited number of touring bikes. For cycling tours, the Feriesenter can also help arrange boat transport between Vestbygda—including Offersøy or Øksneshamn—and Storfjell, Digermulen or Holandshavn. This service is intended for cycling tours and is not a scheduled public transport connection. If a touring bike or boat transport is an essential part of your plans, confirm availability and arrangements directly with the provider in advance.

In the Wider Lødingen Destination

Møysalen Landscape Protection Area is a 67 km² protected area in the municipalities of Hadsel, Sortland and Lødingen. Since 2003, it has protected a coastal alpine landscape, its associated biological diversity and cultural heritage. This landscape setting is part of the wider Lødingen destination and offers a distinct focus alongside Vestbygd’s cultural attractions.

The rock carvings at Nes and the old Nes fort also offer different hiking experiences there. The marked trail to the rock carvings is about 2.5 kilometres long; the carvings are visible in spring, summer and autumn, unless covered by snow. The circular route around the old Nes fort takes about an hour and covers 5.5 kilometres over easy terrain. At the end, there is a climb of about 1 kilometre from Neshamn. For one route, the approximate distance is the main detail, while for the circular route, an approximate duration and terrain description are also available. Trail conditions can change; check them before setting out.

When looking for a holiday apartment, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on: would you like to centre your stay on the art by the shore and cultural sites in Vestbygd, or also include hiking and landscape destinations in the wider Lødingen area?

Discover more destinations: Lødingen.

Go to the wider travel overview: Lødingen.