Rødøy between Rødøyløva and coastal history

Rødøy combines a distinctive hiking destination with insights into the history of the coast. Rødøyløva is designated a National Tourist Route: it is the sixth route of its kind and the first in Northern Norway. A historic trading post, a small local history museum and older buildings offer additional perspectives on the destination. Deciding which of these themes to focus on can help you find the right emphasis for your stay.

Rødøyløva and outdoor excursions

There is a service building at Selvågen along the route. It offers facilities for refilling water bottles, as well as a shower, toilet, lockers and mobile phone charging. These amenities provide practical guidance when planning a day around the route. They differ from the cultural attractions, where collections and historic buildings take centre stage.

Gjerøyfjellet is also one of the municipality’s outdoor destinations: it is one of Rødøy’s five attractive outdoor destinations in Salten. This means that, alongside Rødøyløva, there are other nature-based options to consider when choosing what to do on your trip. If you want to weigh up the different options, you can consider nature destinations, local history and your preferred type of excursion separately, rather than focusing your stay on just one attraction.

Trading history, museums and older buildings

Helgeland Museum runs Falch Gamle Handelssted as its branch in Rødøy. On display are Nordland boats and other boating equipment, which offer insights into coastal culture and the history of fishing. Café Mathilde is also located at Falch Gamle Handelssted; during the summer season it serves coffee, ice cream and light snacks. The museum and café offer different ways to enjoy the same place: an exhibition on maritime history and somewhere to stop for refreshments during the summer season.

Bårstua, built in 1861, is on Rødøya. It is the oldest surviving building of the original rectory. Today it houses Bamsehuset, with its large collection of teddy bears. The combination of a historic building and a collection with an instantly recognisable theme offers a different perspective on local history from the boat exhibition at Falch Gamle Handelssted. Rødøy Church is also part of the area’s history: it was inaugurated on 31 May 1885.

Gammelskolen in Tjong is a well-preserved first-generation school with educational and recreational value. In Gjerøyhamn, the former sheriff’s office now houses a small local history museum. Its collection includes objects from Gjerøyhamn and Gjerøya. The historic setting there also includes an old garden with perennials and rose bushes that have been growing for generations. Together, these places offer a variety of themes for a history-focused stay: school history, local artefacts, garden plants and coastal life.

Getting there and different types of excursions

From Rødøy, the usual ways to access Saltfjellet-Svartisen National Park are by boat into Nordfjord or via Melfjordbotn. These are two distinct access options; which one suits your trip depends on the route you want to take. The Nordland express boat runs from several places between Sandnessjøen and Bodø to Rødøy. The local express boat service also stops at Myken and Tonnes. Check which connection is suitable for your specific travel dates.

As another type of excursion, Meløy Adventure offers RIB tours to Rødøya and Rødøyløva. Alongside a route and cultural attractions, you can also consider a boat trip as a separate part of your itinerary. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home, your planned destinations and the kind of trip you want are therefore useful selection criteria.

More local pages to help you plan: Rødøy, Nordnesøya, Oldervik, Jektvik, Gjerøy, Vågaholmen, Øresvik, Nordvernes.

For the wider travel overview: Nordland.