Discover Steigen: Nature, culture and the Dronningruta
Accommodation in Steigen
Steigen offers several ways to tailor your trip to your interests: the Dronningruta crosses Fløya, Engeløya brings together natural and cultural landscapes, and the Steigen Folk Museum brings the past to life. When choosing a holiday apartment, it may help to decide in advance whether you plan to spend most of your time hiking, enjoying nature or visiting historic sites.
The Dronningruta and trail information
The Dronningruta over Fløya runs from Skånland to Holkestad in Steigen and is 10.2 kilometres long. It reaches an elevation of 360 metres above sea level, and the hike is estimated to take around four to five hours. This information can help you fit the hike into your holiday plans. The route is well marked and cleared.
Engeløya offers a different view of the landscape. It has natural pastures, species-rich hay meadows, grazed coastal meadows and dunes. The island has been designated a selected cultural landscape of agriculture. Wild hazel is another distinctive feature: Engeløya is home to the species’ northernmost occurrence in the world. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose between the route and the distinctive combination of natural and cultural landscapes, depending on your interests.
Nature and historic sites on Engeløya
Prestegårdsskogen Nature Reserve lies on the southern side of Engeløya in the municipality of Steigen. Farther west, at the westernmost point of Steigen, lies Engelvær Nature Reserve. It is important to seabirds as a breeding and wintering area. If you visit, be sure to note the specific access restriction: access to the land areas of Engelvær Nature Reserve is prohibited from 15 April to 31 July.
Other natural attractions include Bøsanden, a sandy beach with crystal-clear water and a mountain backdrop. Engeløya also offers several different points of interest for culture enthusiasts. Steigen Church is one of Nordland’s oldest churches and was built of masonry in 1250. Vollmoen is a ring-shaped Iron Age site and is considered the largest burial mound in Northern Norway. Steigen Rectory Garden was developed in the 1870s, with around 600 varieties of perennials, cultivated plants, shrubs and trees.
Fotefar mot nord also offers a glimpse into the island’s history: 14 signs along the trail explain the history of each location. The Steigen sagaspill was performed every other year at Vollmoa Amfi. These historical and cultural themes are quite different from a day on the Dronningruta and may influence your decision about which experiences you want to shape your stay.
A look inside the Folk Museum and how to get there
The Steigen Folk Museum on Engeløya shows how people in Steigen lived and worked from the late 19th century onwards. In the main building, Breidablikk, you can see the doctor’s surgery and living rooms, furnished to resemble the doctor’s family home around 1900. Visitors can also enter all the farm buildings, look around the doctor’s surgery, try out historical toys, and enjoy coffee and cake. The museum visit offers both an insight into past domestic and working life and a tangible sense of everyday life.
A fast boat service runs from Bodø and Svolvær to Steigen, with stops in Steigen at Bogøy, Nordskot and Helnessund. There is a bus service from Bodø when the boat is unable to run due to the weather or when travellers prefer to go by land. You can take these connections into account when choosing your holiday apartment and planning your journey.
For more information about Steigen, see also Leinesfjorden, Leines, Våg and Nordfold.
For the broader travel overview: Nordland.
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