Sørfold: Rago National Park and cultural history
Accommodation in Sørfold
In Sørfold, impressive landscapes lie alongside places with a history of their own: the entire Rago National Park is located within the municipality. Pine forests, sheltered coves, smooth, polished rocks, roaring waterfalls and high mountains with year-round snow define its varied character. If you are looking for a holiday rental in Sørfold, you can choose where to stay based on whether nature experiences, culture or both will shape your holiday.
Rago and trails through the landscape
Rago National Park has several well-marked trails. Suspension bridges cross the largest rivers, while boardwalks span the wettest areas. These trail features are as much a part of the park as its changing landscapes. Sjunkhatten National Park also extends into the municipalities of Bodø, Fauske and Sørfold; it is known as the “Children’s National Park”.
For a longer hike, try the marked Ragorunden: The circular route is about 20 kilometres long and starts in Lakshol, at the innermost end of the Nordfjord. It passes through Rago’s characteristic landscape. Another hike leads to the Grisryggen viewpoint, from where you can see Litlverivassfossen. The viewpoint can be reached on a day hike from the Litjsand car park.
Sørfjorddalen offers another option: The circular route is 3.6 kilometres long and runs partly along a marked trail and partly along a forest track. At Sørfjordvatnet, you can fish or paddle along this route. If you would rather plan a day out by bike, consider riding into Gjerdalen. The route starts at Kobbvatnet campsite in Sørfold municipality. Gjerdalsveien is an approximately 17-kilometre gravel road through the valley to a landscape shaped by smooth, polished rock. On a cycling trip there, you can also discover cultural sites and war memorials.
The route to Straumklumpen offers a different perspective: It starts on the south side of the tower and is marked blue all the way wherever vegetation is present. The hike offers views across large parts of southern Sørfold. Different ways of getting out and about are all on offer: a short circular route, a hike of about 20 kilometres, a day hike to a viewpoint or a cycle ride into the valley.
Cultural history in Røsvik and Kjelvik
In Røsvik, the old trading post tells the story of the place. It is protected as a historic site; the main building dates from 1832, and the Ildhus from around 1760. Røsvik Handelssted is recognised as protected cultural heritage and as a nationally significant cultural monument. In this historic setting, Galleri Banken combines an art gallery with the studio of artist Gro T. Rykkelid. Local products, coffee, waffles and ice cream are also available.
Another way to explore cultural history is to visit Kjelvik. Its cultural heritage is Sámi and protected; the small houses can be visited on guided tours. Kjelvik is an authentic former smallholding. Clothing, furnishings and tools dating from before the last resident died in 1967 have been preserved. Rørstad kirke, meanwhile, is a wooden church built in 1761, with a cruciform plan and 290 seats. It is automatically listed as a protected monument for the period 1650–1850.
Regional experiences and getting there
Culinary experiences include outdoor meals from Heges Matopplevelser, prepared in the mountains or by the shore. The offering uses ingredients from local suppliers and home-grown produce. At Bjørklund Gård, you can taste and pick your own strawberries and raspberries, grown in Arctic conditions. Nature, local history and regional products give you different ways to plan your days in Sørfold.
Sørfold is accessible from Fauske via the E6 by bus or car. Fauske is the nearest railway station; the nearest airport and Hurtigruten port of call are in Bodø. The E6 is also the route to Sørfjorddalen: buses run directly from Bodø or Fauske to Kobbelv vertshus. When choosing a holiday rental, these travel routes and your planned excursions can help you decide what to focus on during your stay.
For further orientation, see the pages for Sørfold, Røsvik and Straumen.
For the wider travel overview: Nordland.
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