Gjerøy: Island Nature, Hiking Trails and Culture

Gjerøy combines island nature with marked hiking trails and a distinctive cultural history. Gjerdøya is in the municipality of Rødøy in Nordland County, on the coast of Helgeland. The island is surrounded by open sea and sheltered coves; it is particularly rocky in the east and north. White beaches and diverse birdlife are other defining features of the area. If you are looking for a holiday rental, you might first consider whether you want your trip to focus mainly on the landscape and outdoor activities, or also on literary history and local food.

Hiking, Views and the Sea

There are marked hiking trails on Gjerdøya, including a route to Gjerøyfjellet. Polarsirkelløypa is also designated as a hiking trail on Gjerøy. From Gjerøyfjellet, the views extend to Myken and the Lofotveggen mountain range. The mountain is one of Rødøy’s five “55 alluring outdoor destinations in Salten.” If you enjoy spending time outdoors, these names and trail options offer concrete pointers for shaping your trip. The trails and viewpoints described here complement the island’s rocky character and white beaches as different aspects of its landscape.

The sea offers another perspective: Lyngvågen is a starting point for kayaking trips, which let you explore the surroundings from the water. This gives you different ways to experience the landscape, with hiking and kayaking side by side.

Traces of Literary and Island History

In Buøyvalen on Gjerøya are the foundations of the farm where the writer John Hjertås was born on 30 March 1897. Hjertås grew up in Buøyvalen and is associated with the novel “Under brottskavlen.” The old school, Gamalskolen, on Gjerøy is also part of this literary history: it dates from the early 20th century, and its boarding-school dormitory floor is still preserved. The school probably served as the model for the boarding school depicted in the novel. If you would like to include local culture and literature in your trip as well as nature, these places offer a distinct theme to explore.

Getting Here and Finding Your Way Around

Gjerøy can be reached by ferry from Jektvik or Tonnes. The Nordlandsekspressen express boat route and the local express boat between the islands of Rødøy also serve the area. Gjerdøya also has ferry connections to Jektvik on County Road 17, the “Coastal Route in Nordland,” as well as to most of the surrounding inhabited islands.

From the ferry or express boat quay on Gjerøy, a 2.3-kilometre footpath leads to Lyngvågen. Hagland is within walking distance of the express boat quay. If you are considering visiting these places, take the stated walking distances into account when choosing your base. Guests arriving by private boat can use the 160-metre floating dock in Lyngvågen, which has plenty of space and access to water and electricity.

Traditional Food in Lyngvågen

Lyngvågen Kafé serves traditional seafood in an old fish reception building on Gjerdøya. The menu includes fish burgers, whale burgers, bacalao and fried cod tongues. Overnight accommodation is also available at the café. When planning, you can therefore combine a visit with an overnight stay at this location, without implying anything about other accommodation or its amenities.

Other places at the same higher level: Rødøy, Nordnesøya, Oldervik, Nordvernes, Jektvik, Vågaholmen, Øresvik.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Rødøy.