Vevelstad: Rock Art, Coastal Route and Hiking Trails

Vevelstad lies along the Kystriksveien (Fylkesvei 17) between Brønnøysund and Sandnessjøen. The Helgeland Coastal Route passes through Vevelstad and by the old trading post at Forvik. Rock carvings, a museum, historic sites and hiking destinations offer a range of experiences: you can tailor your visit to your interests, whether that means cultural history, the coastal route or hikes in the countryside.

Rock Art and Cultural History

The Vevelstad Museum Ristning/Tjaalege opened in spring 2024. Its exhibition “Spor” presents the natural and cultural history of southern Helgeland, spanning the Stone Age, Iron Age and Viking Age. At the museum, visitors can feel local stone, make rubbings of replicas of rock carvings or create their own rock carving digitally. Check the current availability of these activities before your visit.

Vevelstad bygdetun comprises eleven cultural-history buildings and a museum garden. From there, a nature and cultural trail leads to the Vistnesdalen rock-carving site. The carvings date from the Stone Age and were made around 4,000 to 5,000 years ago. They depict deer, halibut, people and abstract figures. The trail connects the bygdetun with a place where the region’s early history can be explored not only in an exhibition, but also in the landscape.

The Vevelstad Church is near the museum. This long church is built of log timber and clad with boards; its first construction phase dates to 1796. Other traces belong to different eras: there are Stone Age rock carvings near Forvik, Viking Age burial mounds at Slottvik, and medieval rock inscriptions on Esøya. Above Høyholm, on the mountainside alongside the Kystriksveien, stands Oddvar I.N.’s sculpture “Opus for himmel og jord”.

Fjords and Hiking Trails

The Vistenfjord is a protected marine area. It begins at Forvik and extends inland towards Lomsdal-Visten National Park and the Strauman protected landscape. The view from Høyholmstindan also takes in several different landscapes: from its 1,015-metre summit, you can see Vevelstad and the Helgeland coast to the west, the Vistenfjord to the north, and Lomsdal-Visten to the east.

Høyholmstindan has two summits, at 1,015 and 1,000 metres, which can be climbed on the same hike. The hike is considered challenging. Red trail markings and cairns indicate the route; the final section to the summit is steep and requires some light scrambling, and exposed sections call for caution. There may still be snow at higher elevations in early summer, so a late-summer hike is recommended. Trail markings and conditions may change; check the latest information before setting out.

The Trollpikken trail starts at the Brødløs car park. Stone and wooden steps and benches are located along the route; check the condition of the trail facilities before your visit. Other activities in Vevelstad include boat or kayak trips from the mountains to the fjord, or from beach to beach. Availability from providers may vary.

Forvik, Local Offerings and Getting There

The old trading post at Forvik lies right by the sea on Fylkesvei 17 and has been a meeting place for more than 200 years. The trading post dates back to 1792. The old general store now has a café, a shop and a coffee roastery; Hanne roasts the coffee by hand. Traditional boknafisk and homemade rhubarb cake are also on offer. The café, shop and food offerings may vary by season.

To reach Vevelstad from Brønnøysund, take the ferry from Horn to Andalsvågen; from Sandnessjøen, the ferry runs from Tjøtta to Forvik. Check current ferry times before travelling. When looking for a holiday apartment, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on: the museum and cultural history, hiking, or coastal and water-based activities.

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